What to Do if Your Key is Stuck in the Ignition: Best Fixes

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Free your key & get back on the road with these easy tips
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A stuck key in the ignition can make your car impossible to drive anywhere, but luckily, the issues that cause this problem are generally very easy to diagnose and solve. In fact, the odds are high that we’ll have you back on the road in no time with these simple tips and tricks. To help, we connected with Duston Maynes, an automotive repair specialist, to get the lowdown on what works, what doesn’t, and when you need to see a mechanic.

Removing a Key Stuck in the Ignition

If your key is stuck and won't come out, try gently wiggling the key while moving the steering wheel back and forth. This may unlock the steering column and allow the key to come free. If your key ultimately ends up being physically stuck, any silicone-based lubricant designed for electronics can help loosen it up.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Troubleshoot & Fix a Stuck Key

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  1. Maynes recommends starting with this since it’s the most common solution. Calmly wiggle the steering wheel back and forth repeatedly. At the same time, lightly move your key back and forth while trying to pull it out. The key may come free.
    • What causes this issue? Maynes explains, “People will grab the wheel of the car as they’re getting ready to get out of the vehicle, and what happens is that the pressure from the steering column pushes against the steering gears and the ignition cylinder. This creates a kind of pinching situation where all of the pressure from both the wheel and the column hold the key in place.”
  2. Take a quick look at your shifter. If your vehicle isn’t in park (or neutral), switch gears to remedy that. Then, try removing your key. If your car is still on, put the vehicle in park before turning it off to see if that resolves the issue. [1]
    • Maynes says the gear shift on older cars can get stuck in-between gears and cause the same problem. “Some cars have a ‘park neutral’ switch. If the car’s computer sees the switch hasn’t flipped all the way to park or neutral, it won’t disengage the key.”
    • What causes this issue? A lot of modern vehicles will not allow you to remove the key if the car is in drive for safety reasons. Your car may also not be able to release the key if the cylinder is engaged while you’re in drive.
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  3. Accessory mode is the position on the ignition cylinder in between “lock” and “on.” Take a look at the orientation of your key to see if it’s in the accessory slot (this is probably the case if the electrical works but the car isn’t running). If it is, turn the key to the off position and try to remove it. [2]
    • What causes this issue? The key cannot be removed when the vehicle’s accessory mode is engaged because the key physically helps complete the circuit that powers the dashboard. As a safety precaution, the key won’t budge if it’s in ACC mode.
  4. If you don’t have any juice at all, the battery may be the issue here. Start with the easy option and try jumping your car’s battery with a donor car battery and jumper cables. If the car can get some electrical power, the key should pop out. If you’re getting zero power at all, try replacing the battery with a fresh one to see if that fixes things. [3]
    • Signs of a bad car battery include: malfunctioning electronics leading up to the key issue, battery swelling, corrosion on the terminals, and/or a battery warning light on the dash.
    • Maynes says the battery is more likely to have failed if it’s more than 3-4 years old or you drive in extreme heat regularly. As he aptly puts it, “The heat kills the batteries like no one's business.”
    • What causes this issue? In most modern vehicles, a dead battery will freeze the ignition cylinder because the key completes an electrical circuit. When the car has no power, that circuit locks to prevent electrical shorts or damage to the ignition. [4]
  5. Was your key kind of filthy or worn down before it got stuck? If so, grab a silicone-based lubricant designed for electrical systems (like specialist WD-40 or CRC) and use the hose on the nozzle to spritz a little bit of lube inside of the ignition. Wait a minute or so and then try wiggling the key free. [5]
    • Pro-tip: If you feel zero give to the key, the key being dirty probably isn’t to blame. If you do see a minor difference though, keep spraying the gap between the key and the ignition. It’ll wiggle free.
    • Replace the key when you finally remove it.
    • Don’t use the normal, generic version of WD-40. There’s a thin chance that it fries an electrical system in your ignition cylinder.
    • What causes this issue? If the key is super dirty, the debris on the metal may be interfering with the tumblers inside of the ignition cylinder. If you’re exceptionally unlucky, the key can get stuck.
  6. If you can tell that the key is damaged in some way, see if you can carefully and slowly adjust the shape of the key while it’s stuck in the ignition. If you can bend it or move it so that the tumblers reengage, it should come free. [6]
    • What causes this issue? There are small pins inside of the ignition cylinder that need to be pressed for the key to come free or turn. If those pins aren’t engaged because the key is misshapen, it may get stuck.
  7. If your best efforts are being thwarted and you don’t want to leave the key in the ignition, call a locksmith. They’ll be able to remove the key with relatively little effort, although you’re probably going to have to have the ignition cylinder replaced by a mechanic after the key is removed. [7]
    • How much will a locksmith cost? Expect to pay around $150 for a locksmith to remove your car key.
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Section 2 of 3:

When to See a Mechanic

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  1. If you’ve successfully ruled out all of the straightforward solutions (wiggling the wheel, jumping the battery, etc.), you can safely assume the ignition itself is damaged. This can happen—especially as a car ages—and the repair requires the help of a professional. See a mechanic to have them take a look at the issue. [8]
    • It’s also possible the solenoid is bad and the cylinder is fine, although that normally shouldn’t keep a key from coming free.
    • Another potential problem is the ignition switch. However, while this will typically keep the ignition from turning , it shouldn’t impact your ability to remove the key.
    • A new ignition lock cylinder is likely to run $250-300.
Section 3 of 3:

How to Remove a Broken Key in the Ignition

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  1. If the key breaks, try using pliers to remove the broken key . If the key breaks, grab some needle-nose pliers and carefully grip the visible edge of the key. Pull directly away from the ignition. It may take you multiple attempts, but you should be able to slowly wiggle the key out. [9]
    • If the pliers seem like they aren’t working, try wrapping wire around a groove in the key and pulling on it that way.
    • What if the key won’t come out or I can’t see the edge? You’ll need to see a mechanic to have them disassemble the cylinder housing and steering column to fetch the key.
    • Warning: Do not use any solutions that involve magnets, glue, or screwdrivers. These tools are more likely to ruin your ignition cylinder than remove your key safely.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.fastkeys.co.uk/blog/article/5+Simple+Ways+To+Fix+An+Ignition+Key+That+Won%27t+Turn/54
      2. ↑ https://www.daytondailynews.com/classifieds/cars/help-battery-dead-and-key-stuck/ymgP2CJrjAoaikjdJL5h6O/
      3. ↑ https://www.daytondailynews.com/classifieds/cars/help-battery-dead-and-key-stuck/ymgP2CJrjAoaikjdJL5h6O/
      4. ↑ https://www.daytondailynews.com/classifieds/cars/help-battery-dead-and-key-stuck/ymgP2CJrjAoaikjdJL5h6O/
      5. ↑ https://elitelocksmiths.us/2022/05/02/reasons-car-key-stuck-in-ignition/
      6. ↑ https://elitelocksmiths.us/2022/05/02/reasons-car-key-stuck-in-ignition/
      7. ↑ https://kinglocksmiths.com/when-to-call-a-locksmith-10-situations-when-you-need-one-immediately/
      8. ↑ https://www.cars.com/auto-repair/glossary/ignition-lock-cylinder/
      9. ↑ https://mylocksmithmiami.com/5-tips-to-get-a-broken-key-out-of-the-lock/

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