Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hi all,

we have a problem with our starting key lock (I don't know what is the exact name in English - ignition key lock?). Here is the problem, it is now nearly impossible to start the car, the key turns but very difficultly -- nothing to do with the lock on the steering wheel I think as the problem appears when the steering wheel is blocked or not. I think that the lock in which I put the key is defficient. Is there something to do before looking for a complete replacement?

Thanks!

STL

One option is to lubricate the lock mechanism, you can use a small amount of a spray lubricant, or graphite.

This should not really be considered as a permanent fix, but more of a temporary fix until you can source a new lock cylinder.

My key cylinder is old and sloppy like that as well. With the original key I had to fight to get it to turn. I had my brother (a locksmith)
cut me a very slightly larger copy and it works great. I'm not sure if it will work in all cases but maybe this will work for you too. Suerte.
Andy Wilson

Green1 wrote:One option is to lubricate the lock mechanism, you can use a small amount of a spray lubricant, or graphite.

Thanks, but I have done this and it does not help - i guess the cylinder is in a too bad shape.

Modsqwad wrote:I had my brother (a locksmith) cut me a very slightly larger copy and it works great.

hmm, interesting.. i'll try to find someone to do that (pb is I would need to find a Mitsubishi type of key first) -- we're currently in Spain Pamplona and this is not going to be easy - our Spanish is not great (we keep on speaking Portuguese and people seem to understand though). Too bad, for this Sunday as there is plenty of snow today all around the town... and I have all my snowkite gear in the van waiting for seeing the snow!

And, FalcoColumbarius, we're from France-Austria (I work in France and my wife works in Austria - and we have a Delica in both Countries!).

Thanks to all,

STL

The key is nothing special, most hardware stores around here have blanks for it even though the delicas were never sold new in Canada, seems many other mitsubishi, and some dodge, vehicles use the same blanks.

Ok, i'll try to find one -- in France, I had to order one at the Mitsubishi dealer, might not be the same here in Spain.

Other questions then, if i can source a key cylinder, does someone know if it is a difficult thing to DIY?... special tools required, something to be aware of? Time consuming? I'm not a good mechanical but i'm rather patient and know somehow how to use my hands and brain together. More generally, if i can source a complete set (because i have no key for some of my door cylinders as well!), would it be difficult to change the all set (ignition key + 5 doors)?

Thanks.

STL

STL wrote:Too bad, for this Sunday as there is plenty of snow today all around the town... and I have all my snowkite gear in the van waiting for seeing the snow!

you MUST post photos of that!

STL wrote:does someone know if it is a difficult thing to DIY?... special tools required, something to be aware of? Time consuming?

I haven't tried it on the delica, however on my old benz it was dead simple:
- insert key and turn,
- insert a pin in to a small hole on the lock cylinder
- pull the whole cylinder out.
- take new cylinder with key turned
- insert in the place of the old one
- remove key

(because i have no key for some of my door cylinders as well!), would it be difficult to change the all set (ignition key + 5 doors)?

A couple of options here, a mitsu dealer may be able to match the new ignition cylinder to the existing keys for the car (based on VIN... this may be a challenge if the vehicle was not originally made for your country) otherwise you can simply end up with a 2 key system (your old one for the doors, new one for the ignition)
or you can replace all 5 cylinders (more time consuming and expensive, but means all of them work well and match)

Thanks green1 !

I have now found the key cylinder at the local Mitsubishi dealer (140 euros, ouch!), should be there on Wednesday -- i'll have a look to see if i find like a hole to insert a pin in with the key turned.

STL

PS: as for the pictures, I first have to solve the son-decided-testing-camera-phone-waterproofness problem, "un problème ne vient jamais seul"