Ok I think there's a slight problem with the ignition cylinder that its not fully in the off position and it still thinks the key is there this car is now 13-14 years old depending on the build date on your door sticker so the ignition cylinder has been worn in a lot from years of use so that's why I am pretty sure about this your key has a chip in it and that chip is used to clear the anti theft when you first start the car but if the cylinder is just a little bit off after removal the theft unit still thinks the key is in the ignition and that will cause the remote control to be locked out of the system and you also may have smart lock that will stop the doors from being locked while the key is in the cylinder this feature prevents you from being locked out of the car while the engine is running ok so you can try using the remote while the engine is running and it should not work because it's not supposed to and when you shut it off just make sure the cylinder is fully in the lock position ///try to pull out your key without the steering wheel locking fully if you can this is why the ignition switch in the steering column is not fully seated so if so then that column switch is worn out so there ya go either the key switch that you turn is worn or the ignition switch that is in the column is not fully seating itself and it thinks your still in run mode locking out the remote control eventually you should change that colum switch because it's days are winding down and you could get stuck somewhere when it decides it's done as for the key cylinder if you do have the chip key before you change it beware that the chip needs programming and you need more than 2 keys to be safe in case you loose your keys the others are in the system but my instincts are telling me that it's really the column switch thats not seating all the way ok and one more thing if that column switch was replaced before it might be coming loose if it was bolted in and needs to be tightened adjusted properly to get the vehicle to start and lock the key switch or those rivets are not securely holding it in place see if the switch moves by trying to move it up and down if it moves even 1mm or a 1/64 of an inch that's definitely not seated properly and the definite cause of your problem good luck stephen
Answers & Comments
Ok I think there's a slight problem with the ignition cylinder that its not fully in the off position and it still thinks the key is there this car is now 13-14 years old depending on the build date on your door sticker so the ignition cylinder has been worn in a lot from years of use so that's why I am pretty sure about this your key has a chip in it and that chip is used to clear the anti theft when you first start the car but if the cylinder is just a little bit off after removal the theft unit still thinks the key is in the ignition and that will cause the remote control to be locked out of the system and you also may have smart lock that will stop the doors from being locked while the key is in the cylinder this feature prevents you from being locked out of the car while the engine is running ok so you can try using the remote while the engine is running and it should not work because it's not supposed to and when you shut it off just make sure the cylinder is fully in the lock position ///try to pull out your key without the steering wheel locking fully if you can this is why the ignition switch in the steering column is not fully seated so if so then that column switch is worn out so there ya go either the key switch that you turn is worn or the ignition switch that is in the column is not fully seating itself and it thinks your still in run mode locking out the remote control eventually you should change that colum switch because it's days are winding down and you could get stuck somewhere when it decides it's done as for the key cylinder if you do have the chip key before you change it beware that the chip needs programming and you need more than 2 keys to be safe in case you loose your keys the others are in the system but my instincts are telling me that it's really the column switch thats not seating all the way ok and one more thing if that column switch was replaced before it might be coming loose if it was bolted in and needs to be tightened adjusted properly to get the vehicle to start and lock the key switch or those rivets are not securely holding it in place see if the switch moves by trying to move it up and down if it moves even 1mm or a 1/64 of an inch that's definitely not seated properly and the definite cause of your problem good luck stephen