magazine en

What should I do if the key is stuck in the ignition switch

Posted by

You may have encountered a situation where, before leaving on a trip, you realize that the key won’t turn in the ignition switch. Sometimes, you manage to turn it after all, but when you arrive at your destination, you can’t remove it from the switch. In this article, we look at the reasons why it gets stuck and suggest the simplest methods to solve the problem.

  • 1 10 Reasons Why the Ignition Key Won’t Come Out of the Ignition Switch
    • 1.1 Your Steering Wheel is Locked
    • 1.2 The Key is Deformed
    • 1.3 The Door Lock is Frozen
    • 1.4 The Car Battery is Flat
    • 1.5 The Key Teeth are Worn
    • 1.6 The Switch Cylinder is Defective
    • 1.7 The Switch Cylinder and Key are Dirty
    • 1.8 Wrong Gear Selection
    • 1.9 The Key Hasn’t Been Put in the Proper Position
    • 1.10 The Component is Broken

10 REASONS WHY THE IGNITION KEY WON’T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH

YOUR STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED

Almost all modern cars are equipped with an anti-theft protection system. In some cases, it locks the steering wheel and the ignition switch to prevent intruders from driving your car. The lock is triggered when you turn the steering wheel without a key in the ignition switch, or when you try to use another key or a very worn key. Sometimes the problem is caused by an attempt to turn a key that is not fully inserted into the cylinder. Additionally, the protection system can be triggered when the car’s wheels are fully turned to one side, for example when you park on a steep slope, or if the front wheels are resting against the curb or another obstacle. Usually, when the locking function is activated, you can hear a distinctive click and cannot remove the key from the ignition switch at all.

What to do: Gently turn the steering wheel from side to side while trying to turn the key in the switch. This will help unlock the steering wheel. Do not pull too hard on the key to avoid breaking it.

THE KEY IS DEFORMED

If you carry it in your pocket or wallet, or use it for other purposes, it can bend. Sometimes this means the key won’t turn, won’t come out of the ignition, or can’t even be inserted.

What to do: Have you noticed that your key is bent? Do not try to use it, to avoid damaging the switch cylinder. Start the car with a spare ignition key. If you don’t have one, contact an automotive locksmith. Their specialists will restore the shape of the old key in no time or make a copy. If you have inserted a bent key into the ignition switch and it is stuck there, seek professional help to have it removed.

THE DOOR LOCK IS FROZEN

This can happen if it’s cold outside and water has accumulated in the lock cylinder.

What to do: If your car has been parked outside in freezing cold or in an unheated room for a long time and you think the lock has frozen, try to thaw it. To do this, warm your key using a lighter or a candle and insert it into the lock. Repeat this step several times. You can also use a special lock de-icer. To avoid further problems, ensure stable operation of the ventilation system. Before storing your car long-term, ventilate the interior to reduce the temperature inside and prevent condensation.

THE CAR BATTERY IS FLAT

In some cars, when the battery is discharged, the key is locked in the ignition switch.

The car battery is flat
What to do: Turn on the headlights. If the lights don’t come on, the problem is likely the battery. Using a voltmeter, measure the voltage across the car battery terminals. If it is less than 11.7 V, the battery is completely discharged and you will probably need to replace or restore it. If you don’t have a multimeter, try to restart the car. If it works, the problem is with the battery. Otherwise, the failure is of another nature.

THE KEY TEETH ARE WORN

Poor quality products made from non-durable materials suffer from abrasive wear quite quickly. The key becomes loose in the switch and cannot interact properly with the moving parts of the ignition switch cylinder.

What to do: Compare the key you are using with the spare key. If you see signs of wear, replace it. If the old key is stuck in the ignition switch, try gently turning it back and forth and shaking it in and out. You will likely succeed in finding the movement that activates the mechanism.

THE SWITCH CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE

It also wears out over time. This can happen even faster due to the habit of many drivers attaching heavy keychains and other ornaments to their keys. When the car is moving, they create an additional load on the mechanism’s parts.

The switch cylinder is defective
What to do: If you manage to remove the key from the ignition switch, use the spare key. If it also gets stuck, the switch cylinder is worn out. Contact a garage to have it replaced.

THE SWITCH CYLINDER AND KEY ARE DIRTY

Using the wrong lubricant leads to a buildup of dirt inside the mechanism and can cause it to stick over time. Usually, the key’s notches get dirty if it is used for purposes other than intended, for example, to tear packaging tape when opening packages.

What to do: To clean the switch, use WD-40 or another penetrating oil by spraying it directly into the keyhole. If possible, blow out the cylinder with compressed air. After blowing out and cleaning the switch, lubricate it. Wipe the key with a lint-free cloth soaked in WD-40, alcohol, or solvent.

WRONG GEAR SELECTION

In cars with automatic transmission, the key will be locked in the ignition switch until you put the selector lever in Park. To unlock the switch in manual transmission vehicles, the gear shift lever must be in neutral.

Wrong gear selection
What to do: When parking your car, make sure the automatic transmission selector lever is in the Park position. If it is not, but you have already stopped the car and turned off the engine, press the brake pedal and put the selector lever into the Park position. Try to carefully extract the key. If this is impossible, check if the selector lever can be locked in this position. If you can move it even after the engine is off, take your car to a garage to have the torque converter, cable, and automatic transmission lever and brake pedal lock mechanism checked.
If your car is equipped with a manual transmission, press the clutch pedal, put the gear lever in neutral, and retrieve the key from the ignition switch while gently shaking it.

THE KEY HASN’T BEEN PUT IN THE PROPER POSITION

Sometimes drivers forget to turn the key to the “Lock” position.

The key hasn't been put in the proper position
What to do: Look at the ignition switch. It has several marks corresponding to different modes: “Ignition on”, “Engine start”, “Lock” (or “Park”). Make sure the key is in the “Locked” or “0” position. If necessary, change its position.

THE COMPONENT IS BROKEN

Applying too much force when trying to turn the key in the ignition switch can cause it to break. It is difficult to extract the part of the key left in the mechanism.

Action: Try to remove the fragment using a special extractor. If you do not have such a tool, seek professional help. Do not use improvised means to extract the broken tip, as you could damage the cylinder.

Conclusion

Despite its simple design, the ignition key is a very important element and requires appropriate attention from the driver. A car can only be started if this component is in good working order. If your key is stuck in the ignition switch, follow our advice.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *