I experience frequent ignition lockup since the last week. The PS level is right and I don't understand why the ignition lockup is this frequent.

Can we lubricate the ignition, I am concerned to not do it becoz it may activate the Engine Immobilizer system. Any suggestions, would help.

 

what are you talking about, be more clear. the lock cylinder is locking up? the key wont come out?

 

When the start my car, the ignition key (though it comes out) doesn't crank and I have to use all my muscle to move the steering wheel and at the same time start the car, the synchronization is a real dance!!!

It has something to do with Power Steering and Ignition...

 

OK!!! Finally my ignition failed when my car was in the garage.

Called AAA and he jerked the steering wheel with all his might but the ignition would engage and move from lock->ac->1->2... I asked him if only Nissan can fix this since there is the vehicle imobilization thingy and he told me even if I were to take it to the dealer, the dealer would call a locksmith and then charge me twice. Good advice. Not only that he tells me of a local locksmith who has all the tools and programming tools to handle these kind of vehicles.

Call this locksmith, he comes and found that one of the wafer pins in the cyclinder had moved from it's position resulting in locking of steering and ignintion. Boy, he opened up everything associated with the ignition cyclinder, showed me how the AT pin feeds to the back of the switch and how PS switch feed to this hardware. Quite complex. Anyway, he fixed my ignition and paid him $200. I asked him how often does this problem happen in Maxima's, and to my surprise he told me in the last 5 yrs he only has seen 2 Maxima/Infiniti cars with the ignition key problem. So in short, other's don't have to worrry!!!!

Now, I understand why there were frequenct lockups of steering and ignition -- had to do with the ignition key.

Iam relieved!!!

 

Haha wow, that's messed up. Never had that problem on mine, although my key seems a little pesky to remove sometimes, but wiggling it the right way seems to resolve that.