Key turning issue Topic is solved

[wrybread]

My '98 S70 suddenly is having a problem with the key turning. I can't turn the key for awhile, and jiggling it doesn't seem to help. Then suddenly I can turn it, and I can turn the key to the off position and back on freely until I remove the key. Then it's very hard to get it to turn again.

I don't see any marks in the key.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?

[volvolugnut]

There are two common failures with Volvo ignition keys not turning. One is the antitheft steering lock and the other is ignition switch. Search within MVS for related posts - there is lots of information available.
volvolugnut

[wizechatmgr]

If you have an automatic, check and verify that the "button" on the transmission mode selector is popped in the "out" position on the handle in Park. If it doesn't pop back out, you won't be able to remove the key and it can get sluggish trying to move the key between modes.

Usually you can get away with some silicone spray to alleviate it sticking.

[wrybread]

If you have an automatic, check and verify that the "button" on the transmission mode selector is popped in the "out" position

Thanks for that, I've certainly had this issue in the past, on both my S70's. But alas, it's not that this time.

The strange thing is that it works fine as long as I don't remove the key.

[cn90]

It might be a tumbler issue.
Search for the FREE DIY I wrote about removing the bottom plate of the tumbler.

[Oro]

I've had the steering wheel lock seize up my ignition once (on a P2). My understanding is usually that is more permanent and not intermittent as you describe. But if you want to check that, or cut it out pre-emptively so it can't be an issue, it costs nothing to do so. I recently made a post about that elsewhere:

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/prop ... ix.640658/

[erikv11]

cn90 and Oro (and half of volvolugnut's post) are all talking about exactly the same thing, and it is your most likely issue.

There are a handful of instructional write-ups for this fix scattered around the internets - Oro's looks like a good one. In your shoes I'd go ahead remove the bottom plate and see if it fixes it. Even if it doesn't fix it, you are better off for having removed the plate. You'll lose the steering lock mechanism but likely that will never be an issue.

[Oro]

cn90 and Oro (and half of volvolugnut's post) are all talking about exactly the same thing, and it is your most likely issue.

Credit where credit is due: it was in fact cn90's post on this subject from back in 2014 that helped me figure out what was wrong with my P2 XC last year; I just went back and found the post. Here is his:

viewtopic.php?t=67531

I made one at SS since there was a reason to tie it to another thread there, and I wanted to document it where I could always find it. But credit to him since he was kind enough to lay down the procedure years ago and help others going forward. This also reminds me I need to get that thing out of my step son's S60 this weekend and not risk it any longer...

[erikv11]

Hey no worries, he pieced it together from the internet too.

It's really great to have these write-ups available so thank you and cn90 both!!

[wrybread]

Well shoot, I finally got around to removing the bottom plate, but no spring popped out, and the issue persists.

Symptoms again:

- when I freshly insert the key it won't turn past the 0 (off) position. I jiggle it for awhile (sometimes takes 30 seconds of jiggling) and it'll finally let me turn it

- if I leave the key inserted I can go back to 0 position and it'll freely turn, never binding again until I remove it

- if I remove the key even a little and reinsert it, I usually have to jiggle again

Any suggestions on my next step?