Has anyone had a problem with their truck not starting after engaging the ignition switch with the key fob?

This afternoon was about the 4th or 5th time my truck "almost" didn't start. The couple times it happened I turned the key and no dice. I turned the key multiple times with no turn over and even held it in the start position. I took the key out and stuck it back in and it finally started.

The 3rd and 4th time it happened, I think I sat there for about 10 minutes trying to get it to turn over. After the 4th time, I called the dealer to see if there was some troubleshooting steps I could do since I work 30-40 minutes from Vegas. All he did was give me the number to towing assistance and told me they would have to look at it. As soon as I got off the phone with him, the truck started, then died again. After it did that, it started right up and haven't had any problems for about 3 or 4 weeks.

This evening it happened again, this time, I pushed and held the key in and turned it over for the tip start and all it did was continuously crank the engine until after about 10 seconds I turned the key off. I did the same thing again, it started, then died, I repeated one last time and it started and now I am home writing this post.

I really hate going to the dealer due to my schedule. Has anyone experienced this issue or heard of anyone else experiencing the same? I think I noticed a pattern when it happens. It is typically hot (or 80ish like today), but I didn't crack my windows. It will sometimes do this. If I crack my windows when it is excruciating hot outside, it starts just fine. It almost seems as if the ignition switch is getting too hot and the contacts aren't engaging. Once it "cools" a bit is when it starts, or in my case today, when i pushed and held the key in and then turned it over.

I guess what I am asking is if there is something I can do to correct this problem without visiting the dealer? Is it possible to wire in a momentary push-to-start button that is only active when the key is in and in the run position (if anyone would even think of doing something like that)? Or can I disassemble the switch to make adjustments or buy a new one to install myself?

I think this is about the only problem I am having right now and want to make sure it isn't nothing major before my exhaust (among other things) falls off from all the rust in the desert in the next couple weeks around the time for my birthday (I have reason to believe the wife is getting me something that has to do with H&S though she did ask if knew it was illegal, so she may not).

I have almost 26500 miles on my truck and do mostly highway back and forth to work, if that helps with anything.

Any help anyone can provide is greatly appreciated and if your in Vegas or passing through I'll buy you a beer if your tips/tricks help any.

Thanks in advance for all your help! Josh

 

its not the ignition switch, its the fobik itself and Dodge knows about it. I am on the waiting list for the updated fobiks when they get released. carry an 8mm wrench with you in case the ignition cylinder locks your key in. i have had mine not release my fobik 2 times, many times it won't start (cycle the key and it works).

 

Thanks cbrahs! What is the deal with the updated fobiks and how soon are we talking? Are the current ones not "communicating" properly which is preventing the truck from starting, or is it the keys themselves not fitting properly in the cyclinder?

 

8mm wrench?? When I first bought my 2011 I asked at the dealer service how to get the fob out if it locks in, they couldn't tell me. So... how do you remove the fob??

 

8mm wrench is to disconnect the batteries.

 

Thanks.. I didn't put two and two together.

 

What are the symptoms? Are the truck not starting and the stuck fobik (fobik?) related? If the truck won't start with the key in, will it start with the remote start?

 

symptoms are

insert POS fobik, turn it to start and nothing. cycle it a few times and mine has always started after that.

ignition will not release key- restart truck and it has always released key (but keep an 8mm to disconnect batteries if needed)

not sure on release date. My buddy is keeping me in the loop as he knows i am MORE THAN PO'd about the problem

 

Must be on the trucks with TIP start.

Never had an issue with mine.

 

My pickup has not had these issues. My wife is currently driving the truck, on occassion, to make sure it gets some run time before I get home..

I sure do hope it does not get stuck on her. I can see her putting her foot on the steering wheel to yank the FOB out.

 

Hey Blake, I think it isn't due to the Tip Start, but rather to the FOBIK setup. My '08 mega cab (no longer have) and my wife's '08 Apsen both have tip start, but use regular keys.

The only time the fobik wouldn't release was due to the shift lever not fully sitting in PARK. I would bump the shift lever again and I would hear the click and the key would release.

I wonder if it is the key itself, I know cbrahs said there is a new fobik coming out, but is it a circuit issue inside the key or a redesign of the casing? When it happens again, I will take the other key I have and use it to see what happens. This is interesting! Why the change anyhow, they should have stuck with the old style, I didn't see anything wrong with it!

 

I've seen this behavior as well.....

 

What's wrong with a regular old key? Or do they seem to think no one will buy a truck without the fancy crap on it?