Question 1

My key broke in the ignition. Can you get it out?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Broken key extraction is a standard job and one I carry the right tools for. I can pull the broken piece from the ignition cylinder without pulling the whole column apart. Once it's out, I decode the cut from the extracted piece or from the door lock and cut a fresh key on site.

One thing to watch on these older Stratus models: if the key was turning hard before it broke, the cylinder itself may be worn. A new key fixes the immediate problem, but a tired cylinder can chew up edges over time. Worth checking while I'm there.

Question 2

What kind of key does a 1998 Dodge Stratus actually use?

Accepted Answer

It's a plain metal key -- blade only, cut to your specific locks. No remote, no fob, no battery to replace. You use it to unlock the door and turn the ignition, and that's the whole job it does.

That also means replacement is simpler than on newer vehicles. A locksmith can decode your existing lock or use your key code to cut a replacement without any programming equipment. If you've heard that older Dodge keys need chip programming, that applies to different years and trims, not this one.

Question 3

I'm getting a warning that the car won't start. Could it be a key issue?

Accepted Answer

On a 1998 Stratus with a standard metal key, the key itself is rarely the reason a car won't start. There's no chip communication to fail, no fob battery to die. If the car is cranking but not starting, you're looking at fuel, spark, or something else under the hood -- not the key.

Where the key does matter: if it won't turn in the ignition at all, that's usually a worn key blade or a worn cylinder. Try your spare if you have one. If the spare turns and the original doesn't, the blade is the issue. If neither turns freely, the cylinder has likely worn past the point where a fresh cut will help and the cylinder itself needs attention.

Question 4

I only have one key for my Stratus and I'm worried about losing it. Can I get a spare made?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, and I'd do it sooner rather than later. On a car this age, getting a spare cut while you still have a working key is the easy path. I can cut directly from your existing key in a few minutes.

If you ever lose the last key, it's not impossible to replace -- I can decode the lock cylinder to get the cut -- but it takes a bit more time and the process is harder on a worn lock. One spare key now saves that whole situation.

Question 5

The ignition on my '98 Stratus is getting stiff and the key is hard to turn. What's going on?

Accepted Answer

Two common causes on cars this age. First, check the steering column -- if the wheel is turned slightly while the car is off, it can lock up and put tension on the ignition. Wiggle the wheel gently while turning the key and see if that frees it.

If that's not it, the cylinder itself is likely worn. These ignition cylinders accumulate wear over decades and the tolerances loosen up. A key that used to glide can start to catch and drag. In some cases a freshly cut key with crisp edges helps. In others the cylinder is past the point where a new key fixes it and the cylinder needs to be replaced. Either way, forcing it risks snapping the blade, so if it's fighting you, that's the time to call rather than push harder.

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