Driving with the windows down on sunny Arizona
highways, the wind in your hair, can be relaxing after a long day. What isn’t
relaxing, however, is if your car
key gets stuck in the ignition. While you might think this unlikely
scenario would never happen, it occurs more often than most people realize.
Every month, at least one or two people contact us at El Mirage Locksmith of El
Mirage, Arizona to get assistance with a key that’s stuck or broken off in
their ignition lock.
How Did My Key Get Stuck in the Ignition?
Since most cars being manufactured today have
keyless entry systems and remote starters, the vehicles on the road that use
locks and keys are older models. As these models age over time, especially with
frequent daily use, problems can develop that go unnoticed until they cause a
problem.
To avoid this situation happening in the first
place, or a repeat of the situation once it’s been resolved, there are a few
preventative measures that professional locksmiths suggest that you take. These
are easy and don’t require much effort on your part. Inspect your car key from
time to time to ensure that there’s no wear and tear or distortion to the
teeth. It can help to lubricate your ignition and door lock’s cylinder
occasionally to ensure that the key fits smoothly. If your key ever begins to
stick in your ignition lock, it’s time to assess whether you need to replace
it. Also make sure to keep your ignition lock free of dirt and debris.
Even newer vehicles can be susceptible to
manufacturing defects and other problems that can cause your key to get stuck
in the ignition lock. This is what often causes keys that are so cheaply made
that they can break off in the lock. While it’s generally easier to free a
stuck key than a broken one, a locksmith may be required in either case
depending on the severity of the situation.
What to Do If Your Key Is Stuck
First of all, don’t panic. While your natural
tendency may be to get anxious and upset if you realize that your key is stuck
and you can’t get it out, it’s important to keep a clear head. Panicking will
only make the situation worse. It could cause you to use too much force on the
car key in an attempt to get the key free again. You may damage the steering
column or ignition cylinder as well if you try to forcefully manipulate them.
It’s better to attempt the following specific procedures to free your stuck
key. Often, all it takes is a bit of manipulation to get your key free,
although obviously this isn’t always the case.
- Jiggle the Key
If your key is still stuck even after attempting
to free it with this maneuver, it could mean that the shift interlock is
holding it in place. Or the teeth on the key may have become warped and gotten
stuck on the pins inside the lock. Again, make sure not to use too much force
when wiggling or bending the key, as this can cause the key to snap off in the
lock, requiring a locksmith’s assistance to extract the broken pieces. If
jiggling your key doesn’t work, move on to the next step. It also may be handy
to keep a can of spray lubricant and a pair of pliers in your vehicle for just
such a situation. Spray lubricant can be applied to the key, which might cause
it to have enough slide to allow the key to free itself. It’s important after
this occurs to replace your key or have your ignition lock looked at in order
to prevent a reoccurrence in the future.
- Rotate the Steering Wheel
Try rotating the steering wheel to see whether or
not you can disengage the ignition cylinder and kick the key loose. If the
mechanism is damaged and defective, it may be holding the key in place. Moving
the steering wheel back and forth can sometimes kick loose parts that have
seized up or become stuck. This happens due to safety features that keep the
key in place when the ignition is engaged. If this doesn’t help, it could
signal a serious problem with the ignition lock cylinder that may require a
complete replacement in order to get you back to driving again.
