What To Do If Your Key Gets Stuck In The Ignition

Have your car keys been stuck in the ignition when in a hurry? I bet it’s very stressful. You can’t leave the keys in the ignition as there is a great risk that someone can steal your car. If this happens to you next time, you shouldn’t worry. Here are some of the things that you can do to remove the stuck key:

Check the position of the key

Many people make the mistake of turning the key too far in the “off position” which gets it stuck. Before you do anything you should ensure that the key is in the correct “off position.” Always remember that if you are able to play the radio the key is in the wrong position. If you have an automatic car, you should ensure that it’s in the “park” position.

Wiggle the steering wheel

If the key is in the correct position and the car is in the park position, you should wiggle the steering wheel back and forth and continue trying to pull softly the key out. When doing this you should ensure that you are gentle in order to avoid breaking the ignition.

Jack up the front of the car

The aim of this is to take the weight of the car off the front wheels.

Use a bobby pin

Bobby PinIf you have tried the above options and none works, you should use a bobby pin to remove the small cap that covers the access port of the ignition lock.

Use ice

The idea behind using ice is to get the key to contract. If the cubes are too large, you should crush them. You should then wrap the bag around the head of the key then wait for about 15 minutes. After this you should try to wiggle the key out.

These are some of the ways of removing a key that has stuck in the ignition. If you have tried all of the options and the key is still stuck you should consider getting the help of a professional. The good side is that there are locksmiths everywhere. For fast response you should find a professional who is within your area.

car ignitionIt’s common to have cars with ignition keys that fail to turn. The experience is usually very frustrating and time consuming and it can delay you in going where you want. Ignition key problems are usually brought about by the model of your car or the situation that you are in. If you are having the problem here are tips on how to fix it:

The first thing that you should do is to check the parking brake light and ensure that it’s on. This is to ensure that you don’t roll away when trying to turn the key. After ensuring that the light is on you should apply some pressure on the key and turn the steering wheel back and forth in order to find a free spot to turn the key.

Many automatic cars will prevent you from turning the key if the selector is not in the park or neutral position; therefore, you should ensure that the selector is in the right position.

If the selector is in the park position and you have tried to turn the key and it can’t, you should now clean and lubricate the lock cylinder. Here you need to spray small amounts of electrical contact cleaner in order to flush away any dirt and grime that might be in the cylinder.

This should be followed by a quick spray of silicone or a drop of graphite. When applying you should be very careful and avoid dripping the lubricant on upholstery or carpet.

You should prevent accumulation of fumes in the car by keeping the car open. To prevent fire you should avoid sparks and open flames near the lock cylinder. Once you have lubricated enough, you should try turning the key again.

If the key refuses to turn, the problem might be in the tumbler; the tumbler might have been stuck in a locked position. To correct the problem you should firmly tap the face of the lock cylinder using a tack hammer. You should tap for at least one minute.

If you do this and the key refuses to turn, you should now check the key for any problems. Here you should place the key on a very flat and solid surface then check if it lays flat or is arched up. If it looks crooked, you should strike it using a block of wood or a similar hard object.

Author: Larry White

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