The ignition switch in my (purchased new; we call it "The Tank") 1997 FZJ80 locked up on wife when she had it parked on level ground at her horse stable. Neither my wife's key nor my key would work. Inserting the key would not unlock it, and of course the steering wheel and transmission remained locked up. Neither my wife's key nor my key would work. After several minutes of jiggling the key back and forth in the ignition switch while shaking the steering wheel back and forth, the ignition switch finally let loose, and I could start the truck. This happened once before last year, when the rig was parked facing downhill on a very steep hill, and I had left the wheels turned all the way left. In years past, I've worn out several ignition keys that stopped working at some point; I assume that the keys are intentionally made from softer metal (brass), so that they wear out before the switch wears out. Do you think that our two keys are just worn out, or could something else be the problem? As mentioned, I purchased it new, and the rig only has about 135,000 miles on it -- not much for a nearly 30-year-old Cruiser. The rig has been all over the world during my Foreign Service career, but doesn't have much visible rust (except underneath); it practically looks showroom-new.
