7 Reasons Why Your Car Keys Get Stuck in the Ignition
“Ahhh! My car keys won’t come out of the ignition!” If this has ever happened to you, you know how frustrating it can be to have your car keys stuck in the ignition.
You can’t just leave them in the ignition while the doors are unlocked, so you might panic while trying to figure out how to get them out. Whatever you do, though, don’t use brute force methods. Here are the most common reasons why your keys get stuck in the ignition. And even more importantly, how to solve it again. Causes of car keys getting stuck in ignition lock
There are many different reasons why your car keys may get stuck. Some of these reasons may be related to issues specific to a particular make and model. However, most of the reasons why your keys get stuck are universal and can occur with any make and model.
To find a solution to your problem, you need to understand these causes. Below are the 7 most common reasons why your keys get stuck in the ignition.
1) Park Gear Not Set
Before removing the car key from the ignition, the transmission should always be in “Park”. For automatic transmissions, the key cannot be removed when the gear is in Drive, Neutral, or any other available gear. For manual transmissions, make sure the shifter is in Neutral and not another gear.
Sometimes people try to put the gear in Park, but it doesn’t get that far. If your vehicle has a digital screen that shows the gear setting, check to see if it has a “P” mark on it.
2) Steering wheel lock
When you turn off your car’s engine and move the steering wheel slightly, the steering wheel lock is activated. This not only prevents you from turning the steering wheel, but also prevents you from removing the key from the ignition.
This is because the ignition lock is blocked at the same time as the steering wheel lock. To release both locks at the same time, try turning the key while moving the steering wheel back and forth. You will then be able to remove the key and start the engine.
3) Dirty Keys
Some people like to use their car keys to open boxes and packages. This effectively tears the adhesive tape on the box, but it can also leave some of the adhesive tape stuck to the key.
If you insert the key into the vehicle’s ignition with the tape still on, it will make it difficult for the key to activate the ignition cylinder pins.
4) Dead Battery
The ignition system relies on power from the battery to function properly. If the battery is depleted, the ignition system may stop working. If that happens, you won’t be able to remove the key from the ignition lock. The best thing to do here is to wait until a jump starter or a new battery is installed. Or, use a hammer to tap the cylinder lightly.
5) Worn or Broken Keys
Car keys are meant to last for many years. Every time you insert your key into the ignition and turn it, it will wear out a little. When you are not using your car key, you may leave it in your pocket or on a desk with a hard surface. This kind of abuse will gradually damage your car key.
If it gets bent or has a small crack somewhere, it will become more difficult to remove from the ignition switch. If you notice this damage, replace the key immediately.
6) Damaged Ignition Cylinder
If your ignition lock cylinder is about to fail, you may not be able to get your key out. This is because the ignition switch has multiple rows of spring-loaded pins that take on the shape of a key when inserted. If these pins are slightly misaligned, it can prevent you from removing the key (or even inserting the key in the first place).
7) Manufacturer Recalls or TSBs
Though rare, certain years, makes, and models of cars and trucks may be subject to recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that directly relate to the ignition lock cylinder.
You can enter your VIN into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to see if your vehicle is affected. If not, it’s a good idea to check the status of any other open recalls or TSBs.