Last Updated on November, 2024
If you’ve never been in a situation where your car suddenly decides to give up on you, you’re fortunate. However, it’s important to note that experiencing ignition lock cylinder troubles with car keys is a common issue that many car owners face.
Usually, when the key turns, it presses tumblers in the ignition system to a specific arrangement. The circuit allows power to the starter motor, which gives power to the engine, and your car is ready to go.
If you ever find yourself in such a situation, instead of panicking that the car key is stuck, you can try these methods to fix the key in the ignition.
We also touch on what can cause even a correct key to get stuck in the ignition cylinder. Leave the key in the ignition and follow our guidelines to free the key carefully. Keep in mind that forcing the ignition switch to release the key can make things worse.
Quick Summary
- Issues such as a steering wheel lock, worn key, gear shift not set to park, dead car battery, or minor damage to the ignition cylinder can prevent the key from turning in the ignition.
- Solutions include wiggling the steering wheel, lubricating the ignition cylinder, gently tapping the key to align internal components, checking the gear shift position, and ensuring the battery is charged. If these methods fail, replacing the ignition cylinder may be necessary.
- If all DIY methods fail, it’s advisable to call a professional locksmith, such as Auto Locksmith Birmingham, to avoid further damage and get a prompt resolution.
Ignition Key Won’t Turn
Usually, the car key works because of the tumblers in the ignition, but when it doesn’t, it could be for a number of reasons. Some of the reasons that can cause this can be the following:
- Steering wheel lock.
- A worn key.
- Auto locks.
- Dead car battery.
- Minor damage to the keyhole.
- The safety feature in modern cars.
- Wrong key.
- Gear shift set to not parked.
So, let’s dive into how to fix if the issue is one of the listed ones.
What to Do When Your Car Key Won’t Turn?
These unfortunate situations often occur when we need to be somewhere. In your panic, you won’t be able to remove or turn the key gently. Instead of forcing the key out of the ignition port, you can try these.
- Try with the spare key: Keep a spare key with you that can help. You can use a spare key if the car’s ignition lets your regular key go. If the key is not turning and also not coming out of the ignition cylinder, then you can try other methods.
- Keep an eye on the damaged key: If you feel that it struggles to enter the ignition cylinder, it could mean the key is damaged. If you still try forcing and turning the key, you will have to deal with damaged wafers as well.
Here are five easy methods to fix an ignition key that won’t turn:
Wiggle the Steering Wheel
This is the most common reason a key doesn’t turn. The steering wheel was moved after the key was removed from the ignition, causing the ignition to lock the system. The next time you insert the key, it doesn’t turn.
- Turn the steering wheel left and right.
- You will notice that the steering wheel struggles to move in one direction while moving freely in the other.
- Keep the steering wheel turned in the direction where it is struggling while simultaneously turning the key.
- If it still doesn’t work, you can keep turning the key while wiggling the steering wheel.
- You can also rock the steering wheel slightly to reposition the keyhole’s insides.
Using this method, as soon as the key turns, the steering wheel unlocks, and the car starts. If this method doesn’t work, it could mean that the problem is more severe than you thought. But you can still try other methods first.
Lubricate the Ignition Cylinder
An ignition key can get stuck because of jammed lock wafers. The easiest way to solve this problem is to lubricate the lock. You can use a lubricant of your choice, but ensure you get the ignition cylinder replaced after the key turns.
WD40 is usually a good choice, but in this case, the extra grease may collect more gunk in the ignition, keeping the key from turning. The best option for vehicle keys is a silicone-based lubricant or a silicon-based spray.
- If you can remove the keys before inserting them again, spray on the keyhole.
- Clean up any excess before inserting the keys back in. Then, try gently wiggling the key to unlock it.
- If the key still doesn’t turn, you can take the key out and try a different method.
If it works for you, remove any debris inside the ignition. Keeping it clean of anything that could wear the key down will save you all this trouble.
Rapping the Car Key
Sometimes, you may need more than lubricant to unjam a steering column. If gently turning doesn’t work, you can use a vibration or a rubber mallet to shake things inside the ignition back to the correct position.
Damaged wafers can be moved into the correct position by gently pounding around the ignition. This ‘rapping’ of the key is risky, so you don’t have to use a hammer. It can be anything like an electrical cleaner to create just enough vibrations.
- Insert the key and gently wiggle.
- Use a hammer or a similar tool to shake things inside the lock.
- Don’t force the key to turn.
- Instead, use the vibrating tool on the key to move the tumblers inside at least a tiny bit.
- If it doesn’t make the key turn, use the tool on the ignition cylinder.
Be very mindful of the force behind your hits. You can damage the key instead of releasing it from the lock.
Check Gear Shift or Battery
The key won’t turn if your gear selector is not properly positioned. Check the gear shift and ensure the car is parked and not in neutral. This happens because of the automatic transmission on newer cars.
Even if the current key is the right key, it won’t turn until the gear shift is in the correct position.
- Check the gears to ensure it is parked.
- Move the gear shift sideways when you turn the key.
- Double-check if the car is in neutral.
- If it doesn’t work correctly, there is a chance that the battery is dead.
- Take out your toolbox and use a volt meter to see if the battery is dead or if there is a different issue.
The more advanced cars have this mechanism that only lets the car unlock if there is power in the battery. Though having a dead battery is frustrating, it is also simple to solve.
Replace the Ignition Cylinder
So, you’ve tried everything, and nothing has helped with your locked car. As a last resort, you can replace the ignition. At this point, the issue is not with the car keys. It can be with the ignition system.
Replacing the ignition can save you from going to the repair shop. As long as you choose a good-quality ignition cylinder, placing it in won’t be complicated.
If you can turn the key at any point, there’s no need to change the ignition cylinder. You can only get a new ignition key to fix the issue.
To change the lock on your vehicle, follow these:
- Find the locking pin on the ignition lock.
- Use a paperclip or a small tool to depress the pin.
- Pull out the old ignition lock. You may have to shake it out of its position.
- Fit in the new ignition cylinder and allow it to fix itself.
- Pull out the key from the old ignition. Test the key on the new ignition to check if it is also keeping the key from turning.
If you feel that doing it yourself may damage the engine or the steering wheel, you can call a locksmith for help.
Relevant guides:
Call Auto Locksmith Birmingham
If you’ve tried all the methods and the safety feature, but still the ignition key won’t turn, your best option for getting help is to call Auto Locksmith Birmingham. We are the fastest-responding local locksmiths in Birmingham.
In just thirty minutes, you can get a free estimate for any needed work. We respond and send a technician within this time. You can also check our customer reviews to ensure your vehicle is in good hands.
Our technicians are experts in all different makes and models of cars, and they handle a car in whatever way is appropriate. We provide instant replacements for various kinds of vehicle ignition systems.
For the next time, you can prevent your new key from getting stuck with these methods.
Prevent Ignition Key From Getting Stuck
Over time, you must take care of your car ignition and other things. To do so, you can:
- Use air to clean up any debris regularly. You can spray compressed air into the keyhole.
- Use silicon-based lubricant to ensure that the new key doesn’t get damaged.
- Be mindful of what kind of lubricant you use.
- Keep the car key free of debris.
- Keep the car key from bending and changing shape.
There are various reasons why your car key might not be turning in the ignition. Most common are debris, damaged pins inside, steering wheel locks, and a worn car key.
All of these issues are simple to solve. You can help yourself with a little bit of research.
Even though you can solve the problems, it is still better to avoid such a situation altogether. If you notice a struggle turning the keys, you should get a locksmith to look immediately.
They will detect an issue before it becomes a nightmare. Another pro tip is to always keep spare keys with you.