Key Won't Turn Again!
 

Spent a few hundred bucks getting the key cylinder replaced and 2 brand new keys. Worked fine for several weeks and once again, sporadically, the key will not turn in the ignition! Turn the wheel, play with the shifter, won't turn! WTF? Anyone else have this problem? Getting ready to drop a bomb is this truck despite how much I like the looks and ride, it's too damn unreliable, constantly fixing this truck.

2005

You try replacing the ignition switch inside the steering column? I know that's separate from the cylinder. I don't think I paid much more than $30 from autozone for it. There's probably some linkage in there hanging up or something.

How did you spend a couple hundred? The parts for the cylinder are 60-80 from AZ. The switch is 25-30.

Either way, try breaking down the column and see what isnt turning

Tumbler was $125 here in NJ, plus minor labor charge, total around $150. Keys from Dodge were $34. Thank God we got the key to turn the 1st time, if it doesn't turn they have to drill out the tumbler and the whole ignition set is more than $300 from Dodge! Mechanic said he tried the key several times and of course it is working. What can be stopping the key from turning? I'm not familiar with the components that interfere with the ignition. Mechanic said the ignition switch is plastic so it shouldn't be the culprit. Gear selector problem? Is it cable or electronic? A sensor going bad or something mis-aligned?

You need to download the Service Manuals from the links in my signature and do it yourself. Quit paying others unless you can spend it and not miss it. A long will not unlock is the pins in the tumbler do not align properly. This could be a poor cut key, bad pin or spring in tumbler, poor alignment in tumbler

Sounds like the "mechanic" at the dealer doesn't know what he's talking about. I replaced my ignition switch because my key kept getting stuck and I had to jiggle the key around to get it going. Replaced the switch, not the tumbler and everything is working good and has been for a few years now. Remember, your service manager is not your mechanic. He has no idea how your truck was really "repaired." It sucks because I wish we had more competency and trust in some dealerships where I wouldn't have to learn to do everything myself.

"I replaced my ignition switch because my key kept getting stuck and I had to jiggle the key around to get it going."

What do you mean when you say "getting stuck"? Not turning? When it happens to us its as if you have the wrong key in the ignition, won't budge. My friend took the ignition out and brought it back to Dodge to re-check the tumbler and springs they replaced. It was perfect, even the outer assembly where it fits into the column was like new. I have the top and bottom steering column covers off now. We inspected the moving parts as the key turns and even tried to get the key to jam again but it wont. We did see the plastic tip from the ignition module that fits into the ignition tumbler, but can't imagine why that would bind things up to the point the key won't budge. When/if it happens again, I will mess around with the knuckle that moves when the key is turned to see if that is binding. If not, I will pull the ignition switch off and see if the key turns. If not, it has to be the tumbler/ignition assy. Frustrating.

Well after Dodge checked the new tumbler again and said it was fine, the key still wouldn't turn on random occasion. After looking at it closely again with my mechanic friend, we figured out the problem. There are 2 little spring loaded cylinders that click into different positions (notches) on the top of the outer cylinder where the key goes in. The pins lock into different position when the key is turned (on/off/battery mode). Those pins were getting stuck in the "off position" notch on the cylinder. I don't know why, but it looks like the soft aluminum wore and created flat spots where the tip of this cyclinders were sitting, and when seated just right, they would get stuck in that position and would not allow the cylinder to turn with the key in the ignition. We tried to clean up the area with some fine sandpaper but it doesn't seem to be helping. Looks like I need a new outer cylinder to put my new tumbler into to stop this key not turning nonsense.

This is my first Dodge and I must say it is a love-hate relationship. We love the looks and ride of the truck, but this damn vehicle has been a mechanical nightmare since day one. Always something breaking on it, leave ZERO confidence in reliability, always waiting for something else to break, which just did again. Damn waterpump starter leaking with 45K miles on this truck! Installed a new water pump yesterday while we figured out the key issue.

I'm not able to view those links :( any help with service manual for a 2017 Promaster 2500?

Who did the work? Maybe you can have it covered under warranty?