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Has anyone experienced or does anyone know why on a 1997 Dodge Avenger ES, why the key won't turn? I live in Nebraska, we are having really cold weather right now, when I went to drive the other day, I put the key in the ignition and I simply cannot turn the key. I have moved the steering whell, hit the brakes, moved the gearshift back and forth, but I cannot turn the key.

I finally got the car to start, after checking in the middle of the day and the key turned without a problem, but then later in the day, the same problem occured again. Is this just due to the extreme temperatures of-20 windchills and air temps of 0 and below. Any info would be great.

 

I HAVE A DODGE AVENGER 1996 AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I LIVE IN THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN, WHERE IT IS COLD ALL THE TIME!! I AM TRYING TO FIND A BLOCK HEATER FOR IT AT THE MOMENT. I FOUND THAT WARMING THE KEY UNDER A LIGHTER AND THEN TRYING IT WORKS. IT SOUNDS STUPID BUT IT HAS WORKED WHEN I HAVE TRIED IT.

 

You might want to try a can of white lithium grease. It has a straw like WD40, just tap the nozzle because you don't want too much in there, I wouldn't want you to possibly get it on the ignition switches contacts and keep it from working.<edited><editID>71ROADRUNNER</editID><editDate>38016.0661111111</editDate></edited>

 

I had that problem one time last summer. It was the middle of summer after some drag racing, i sat there for a good 20 minutes with nothing. Then for no reason it turned. So i dont know if its a cold thing cause it was like 80 degrees out when it wouldnt turn. So i dont know. It could have to do with the steering wheel lock and it just jams up.