What to do if your Car Key is Stuck in the Ignition

Most modern cars are extremely reliable and very rarely cause problems if looked after properly. However, situations can arise that make it impossible to drive your car and having the car key stuck in the ignition is one of them.

Problems invariably occur at the most inconvenient times and need to be sorted out quickly. However, a key stuck in the ignition can often be resolved but the main message is not to panic. Applying force to a key that won’t turn in the ignition will often result in it snapping off or bending and that will only make matters worse.

What is happening?

Keys can get ‘stuck’ in ignition locks in a variety of ways. Most commonly we see keys that will:-

• Slide into, but then cannot be removed from the ignition
• Slide in and out of the ignition, but will not turn left or right
• Not ‘spring back’ from the On position when starting the car
• Turn freely in the ignition without clicking into Accessories or On positions

The type of problem you are having will determine what needs to be done to fix it. Some Makes & Models have notorious ‘stuck key’ problems after a certain age that have distinctive characteristics. A couple of examples can be found in our blogs Ford ignition problems and VW ignition problems. 

Why is my Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?

A car key gets stuck in the ignition for several reasons:

• The key may have become worn over time so the ignition keyway no longer registers the cuts properly
• The key may be bent or otherwise damaged so that it no longer fits perfectly into the ignition keyway
• Dirt or debris on the key, or in the ignition lock can jam up the keyway so always check and clean the key when necessary.
• The waferswithin the ignition cylinder can become bent,damaged or stiff over time and make extraction of the key a problem.
• For some automatic transmissions, the gear selector must be set to Park or Neutral before you can remove the key.
• It may simply be that you haven’t turned the ignition off fully so one more click will release it.

How to Remove a Key Stuck in the Ignition

Although there are many reasons why a car key gets stuck in the ignition, your main problem is how to fix a car key stuck in the ignition. There are some simple methods you can try initially:

• Try turning the steering wheel to release the lock so the key can be removed.
• For an automatic transmission car, the fact it’s set to Park or Neutral may not be recognised. Changing the gear to Drive or Reverse, then back to Park may correct this.
• While pushing on the key cylinder with your left index finger, gently jiggle the stuck key with your other hand. This may loosen wafers that are gripping your key and enable you to slide it out. If this works, great! But be warned that your ignition or key is telling you it needs a fix or service soon.

If none of these methods work, don’t be tempted to exert more pressure on the key. Brute force rarely works and is more likely to cause the key to break in the lock. Then you’ll need an extractor tool to remove the broken part. Worse still, you may damage the small internal parts of the ignition keyway, leading to a whole new problem.

If the problem is serious and you can’t get the key out, hare at Northside Car Keys we have the equipment, knowledge and experience to do it for you. The key may be stuck due to a faulty ignition, old worn key, or something else. We can undertake any repairs necessary as well as providing new keys from our extensive stock. So call our mobile auto locksmith on 1300 727 917 for a fast and efficient service if you have any problems with your car keys or ignition system.