i just keep getting lucky with my 00 4.2. as it sits at the mechanic to correct an abs warning light problem, i get a call from the mechanic that he can't get the key into the lock assembly on the dirver door. for some reason, the key will now only go approx 3/4 in and then stop and not let anyone unlock the car. i don't know what the hell can cause this! does anyone know what the issue can be? there were no warning signs to this. i actually locked the car with the key in the driver's door and now its broken. does anyone know if i can get a new lock assembly with the tumblers keyed to my existing keys?

thanks in advance for any help/direction.

 

First make sure the key does not have a slight bend to it, and that the ends are still tappered in.
I had sort of that same issue with a VW that Iowned and was able to get a several tumblers from a wrecker yardand replaced the necessary keys/gates that was the cause of the issue.
It took several tumblers cause there are 10 possible keys/gates for every position (I think there were 8 total, can't recall with certainty) for a total of 80 possible keys/gates that can be used. I do recall that the VW Dealership wanted 8 bucks a key/gate, but this was more then 4 years ago.