What do I do if the key is stuck in the ignition lock

You may have experienced this before you set off the key cannot be turned in the ignition lock. Sometimes it happens that you can still turn it, but can no longer remove it from the lock after the journey. In this article we look at the reasons why the key is stuck and what the simplest solutions are.

10 reasons why the ignition key won't come out of the ignition

The steering wheel lock is active

Almost all modern cars are equipped with an anti-theft device. In certain cases, this locks the steering wheel and ignition switch to prevent intruders from driving your car. The lock is activated if you turn the steering wheel without inserting the key in the ignition switch, or if you use an incorrect or badly worn key. Sometimes the problem is triggered by trying to only partially turn the key in the cylinder. In addition, the protection mechanism can be activated when the car's wheels are completely tilted in one direction, such as when you park it on a steep incline, or when the front wheels come to rest when parking against a curb or other obstacle. Most of the time you will hear a distinctive clicking sound when the lock is engaged and you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition at all.

What you can do:Gently turn the steering wheel left and right while trying to turn the key in the lock. This will help unlock the steering wheel. Do not pull the key so tight that it breaks.

The key is deformed

If you carry it in your pocket or purse, or if you misuse it, it can bend. Sometimes this results in the key not turning or removing from the ignition, or not even fitting in the lock.

What you can do:Have you noticed your key is bent? Do not even try to use it and thereby avoid damage to the cylinder of the lock. Start the car with a spare key. If you don't have one, contact an auto service center. Its specialists will bend the key back into shape in no time, or make a copy. However, if you have inserted a bent key into the ignition switch and it is now stuck, seek professional help to remove it.

The door lock is frozen

This can happen when it's cold outside and water has collected in the lock cylinder.

What you are doing can:If your car is stored outside in sub-zero temperatures or in an unheated room for a long time and you suspect the lock may be frozen, try defrosting it. To do this, warm up your key with a lighter or candle and insert it into the lock. Repeat this step several times. You can also use a special lock deicer. To avoid further problems, ensure proper operation of the ventilation system. Before long-term storage of your car, ventilate the interior to lower the temperature inside and prevent condensation.

The car battery is empty

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

What you can do:Turn on the headlights. If the lights don't come on, the problem is probably with the battery. Measure the voltage at the car battery poles with a voltmeter. If this is below 11.7 V, the battery is completely discharged. You will either have to replace them or charge them. If you don't have a multimeter, try jump starting the car. If this works, the problem is with the battery. Otherwise the defect has another reason.

The key bit is worn

Low-quality products made from inconsistent materials quickly suffer from abrasion-induced wear. The key becomes loose in the lock and can no longer interact correctly with the moving parts of the ignition lock cylinder.

What you can 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 left and right and moving it forward and backward. You will likely find the movement that triggers the mechanism.

Broken lock cylinder

This too will wear out over time. This can happen even faster due to some drivers' habit of attaching heavy key fobs or other ornaments to their keys. When the car is moving, these put additional stress on the components of the mechanism.

What you can do:If you manage to remove the key from the ignition switch, use the spare key. If the stuck key problem persists, it is due to a worn cylinder. Contact a workshop to have it replaced.

The lock cylinder and the key are dirty

Using improper lubricating oil will result in dirt accumulating in the mechanism and it can become stuck over time. Most of the time, the teeth of the key get dirty when it is used for a different purpose, for example when it is used to tear open the adhesive tape on packages.

What you can do:To clean the lock, 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 and cleaning the lock, lubricate it. Wipe the key with a lint-free cloth dampened with WD-40, alcohol, or solvent.

Wrong_gear_choice

In automatic transmission cars, the key is locked in the ignition until the gear selector is moved to park. To unlock the ignition switch in manual transmission cars, the gear lever should be placed in neutral.

What you can do:After driving, make sure that the automatic transmission selector lever is in the park position. If this is not the case, but you have already stopped the car and switched off the engine, step on the brake pedal and put the gear selector in park. Carefully try to remove the key. If this is not possible, check whether the selector lever can be locked in position at all. If it moves after the engine is turned off, take your car to a workshop to have the torque converter, automatic transmission cables and levers, and brake pedal latch checked. If your car has a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal, place the gear lever in neutral and remove the key from the ignition switch while gently rocking it back and forth

The key was not turned to the correct position

Sometimes drivers forget to turn the key to the lock position.

What you can do:Look at the ignition lock. It has several markings corresponding to different modes: “ignition on”, “start engine” and “lock” (or “park”). Make sure the key is in the “Lock” or “0” position. If necessary, change the position.

The component is broken

Exercising too much pressure while turning the key in the ignition can cause it to break. It is difficult to remove the key fragment that remains in the mechanism.

What you can do: Try to remove the fragment with a special extractor. If you don't have such a tool, seek professional help. Do not attempt to extract the tip using improvised methods as you may damage the cylinder.

Conclusion

Despite its simple design, the ignition key is a very important item that requires proper attention from the driver. A car can only be started when this component is operational. If your key is stuck in the ignition lock, use our tips.