Ingnition lock sticking

I am aboout 70 miles from KC area in Kansas. There are many members that live in KC. There is a Regional section post there. The FCA has a club in KC they meet at the Marriot on Metcaf near KC Masterpiece. I am not a member
but I have heard nothing but good things aboout them.

About you sticking ignition lock, can you be more specific:
Key hard to in/out
key does not turn easily
key does not return to run position from start

see what I mean.
Lubing that area is not unlike door locks (graphite) except you have to more
carefull. Graphite conducts electricity no a problem in door locks.
OIL is not reccommened in door locks because when it gets cold the locks internals are prone to stick and be slow.
Is this recent from the cold spell?

stephen

 

I am retired so I am always ON or 'off' depends how you look at it.

Sounds like someone lubed the lock or or your key is worn.

any oil based (wd-40) product can bind the tumblers(?).

Powdered graphite is the choice for locks.

you get it in a tube at hardware stores.

There is a spray 'lock-ease' that contains graphite.

I see you have had the 308 a short time, did the lock always do this?

It may be the key. Do you have the Number?

If so there is a couple of places on the web that will make the keys from the number. The cylinder is harder than the key, so DON'T have copy of the key made you will still have the problem.

I wuould try 'contact cleaner' to loosen up the tumblers, then graphite in one form (caution: GRAPHITE is MESSY an a LITTLE goes a LONG way.

I generally limit my drives to week ends (early). I live in the country
and seem I am surrounded by rock quarries. No matter which direction I go
there are dump truck (mostly uncovered).

stephen

 

I had a similar problem with my '85 QV. If you push up on the lock from underneath (there is a hole under the ignition assembly) does it make it easier to turn? If so, it might be the steering lock mechanism binding. I ended up putting a pin in mine to hold the steering lock in the unlocked position, and now the key turns easily.

 

Graphite powder all the way. Had the same problem with my car, shot some graphite powder in it and it works like new. You can get it at any hardware store.