Ignition switch trouble

[JColdIron]

Had my 2013 Bighorn (120K) not want to start this morning, in fact, is has happened twice to a lesser extent. Turned the "Key" in the slot and nothing. No gauges, no radio or accessories at that setting either. Usually I just blip it over to start and it fires right up.

I was able to bounce the key from off to start several times and it finally fired so there is some hope this is simple part wear.

This is my first vehicle with the non real metal key. I assume up to some level the controls are similar but I have no idea if this is key related or "tumbler" related. It occurred to me to try my spare key when (and if) get home from work but is there anything else I can try or test?

I've replaced tumblers on Jeeps before and it was fairly easy once I knew the trick to get the tumbler body out of the column. Is that the case with these? Somehow I doubt it will be as I'm betting they have to be electronically keyed to my truck and key. Don't like to go to the dealer for any kind of work I don't have to...

 

[Dark Knight 500]

You’re gonna need one of these, no tumblers involved


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[JColdIron]

Thanks Dark Knight! Is that part plug and play or is there a need to reprogram for my fob?

 

[Friednice]

Thanks Dark Knight! Is that part plug and play or is there a need to reprogram for my fob?

Will need to be programmed and unlocked with a dealer pin

 

[JColdIron]

Will need to be programmed and unlocked with a dealer pin

Ah joy. Thanks for the clarification!

Kinda miss my old metal key at this point. The only time it died was when the tumblers caught some pocket lint. Two minutes after I got the thing out I was back in business...

 

[JColdIron]

Well, it started and got me home from work.

It occurred to me that this might my excuse to buy an Alpha OBD. Would that program my new ignition switch to my key?

I'll be adding or upgrading other parts eventually but if it would save a trip to the dealer for programming I'd be extra motivated to pick it up now.

 

[16Ram4x4]

That same thing happened to me on my 2016 Ram. Stick the fob tip key in the ignition and turn it to start the truck, no lights, no nothing. Turn key off and remove from ignition, reinsert fob tip key in ignition and turn it and truck starts and everything works. It would do this on the first start of the day. Then it got ridiculous. Dealer replaced ignition switch and reflashed fobs and all is well. Months later it does it again, this time new rf hub and reflash both key fobs.
So far all is well. Hope they can get yours straightstra out as it a pain to have worked on if it's a random issue. Thankfully mine was under warranty when this was going on.

 

[Friednice]

Well, it started and got me home from work.

It occurred to me that this might my excuse to buy an Alpha OBD. Would that program my new ignition switch to my key?

I'll be adding or upgrading other parts eventually but if it would save a trip to the dealer for programming I'd be extra motivated to pick it up now.

unlikely, maybe, not too sure. im not totally familiar with the alpha obd but the 4 digit code that needs to be obtained from the dealer is the main part. as far as i know with all the please and thank yous one can give the dealer isnt supposed to give that code out.

doesnt hurt to try

just like asking my highschool crush all they can say is no.