Steps for Dealing with Your Key Being Stuck in the Ignition

You may try to remove your key from the ignition before hoping out of the car but to your surprise, the key won’t bulge. This can be upsetting and frustrating all at the same time. You don’t know what to do at this point. The last thing you want to do is make things worse by pulling the key out and breaking it in the ignition. Rest assured that you do not have to resort to such measures. At Racine Locksmith in Racine, WI, we can tell you that this is a rather common occurrence. It could happen for several reasons; there might be a problem with the key itself or the ignition could be warped. Whatever the reason is, at this point, you likely do not care. You just want to be able to get your key out without breaking it.

Ways to effectively disengage your key from inside the ignition:

The Keys Position 

The first thing we would suggest that you do is to make sure that the key is not in the ‘lock’ position.  Also, when your cylinder is old it might turn beyond the ‘on’ position and cause your key to become stuck. You may have heard someone say that it isn’t a good idea to have heavy objects attached to you key chain. It is for this very reason that you wouldn’t want to have a lot of things on your keychain; it affects your ignition, wearing out the cylinder. Also, if your key is not in the correct position within the ignition, it will not properly engage with the operating system, therefore, your key will not move. If you’re not sure if it is or if it is not in the right position, rely on a qualified locksmith to assist in getting your key out of the ignition and avoid breaking your key.

Slowly Repositioning the Steering Wheel

Slowly and carefully begin to move your steering wheel back and forth as you ease the key out of the ignition. Sometimes your steering column will lock up causing your key to become stuck until you have been able to unlock the steering wheel. At this point your attention should be on repositioning the steering column so that the steering column will unlock and you can easily remove the key.

Your May Have a Dead Battery

This is important to do and could save you a lot of frustration. Check to see if your battery is dead. If it is, you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. This actually can serve as a way to prevent auto theft. However, you will need to make sure you can recharge your battery, if it is dead, and it should be safe to remove your key from the ignition without damaging it.

Lubricate Your Keys

This may not sound like a resolution but it actually is. You may be able to get your key out simply by lubricating it with electrical cleaner. All that you’ll have to do is spray a small amount of cleaner between your key and the ignition. We warn you not to put too much pressure on your key or you could damage the ignition.

Damaged Keys

Your key may be damaged and you were not even aware of this. This can cause your key to become stuck inside the ignition. However small the damage might be to your key, it is a possibility that your key can get stuck. If you are eventually capable of getting your key out, do not, we repeat, do not put the key back inside. Call Racine Locksmith and let us make another key for you. It could be possible that you are using a spare key that was never properly cut. This isn’t a resolution once your key is already stuck but it can prevent it from occurring again.

These are simple things that you can do to get your key out of the ignition without making the situation worse. If you want to know why your key may have become stuck in the first place, here are a few reasons to consider.

Reasons for Keys Jamming in Ignition

·         Loose cables

If you have a loose cable in your dashboard, you might find yourself in this situation. The cables will need to be replaced in order to get your key.

·         Lock Cylinder Damaged

If your cylinder is torn, it will not be able to make a complete turn that engages your auto mechanisms, making it impossible for the key to come out.

·         Dead Battery

We mentioned this previously but it is certainly worth mentioning again, especially since this is one of the most common reasons for your key getting stuck in the first place.

When you have done all that you can do on your end to get your key out of the ignition, it may be time to break down and give us a call. We deal with this issue regularly and generally know very quickly, exactly what the problem might be. Give us the chance to get you going again. We don’t do anything to make the problem any worse. Our locksmiths take their time to make sure we do the job right. Rely on a reputable locksmith service that will offer you efficient services and will not make it worse for you. 

Don’t just use the first locksmith that you come across. Make sure whomever you use is reputable and reliable. Since you rely on your car so frequently, it is likely that you can’t afford for your key to be stuck. You need to keep moving. Prepared with the above information, you can likely get yourself out of this predicament without even bothering to call us. However, we are always here for you when you need us. Some motorists tend to veer on the side of caution, not wanting to take the chance of breaking their car key; they turn to Racine Locksmith.

Here’s what to do when you’re having ignition cylinder problems

Nobody wants their car to break down on them during the day – or worse, in the later hours of the evening.

We understand how frustrating ignition cylinder problems can get. You might simply need to get a key extracted, but your troubles could also be a reflection of more complicated issues. 

That’s why our lock and key experts are taking the time to explain what to do in such an unfortunate situation. Here are a few quick tips that will help you deal with faulty ignition cylinders in the best possible manner. 

Understanding the common signs

You need to diagnose your issues before deciding on your course of action. Of course, some ignition cylinder problems are not as clear-cut as they seem – but here are some common signs to keep an eye on: 

Keys getting stuck into the ignition

A very common occurrence, and often the sign of wearing and age. This is something that can’t be avoided: over time, your ignition’s inner components are going to become worn out from the continuous amount of stress it endures on a regular basis. Heavy keyrings can speed up the process, by the way, so avoid these as much as possible. Eventually, the ignition will lose its malleability, ultimately catching and binding the key in the process. If not replaced accordingly, this ignition fault could lead to low electrical contact – and at some point you’ll be unable to operate your vehicle. 

Before you call a locksmith in Racine, however, make sure that your key isn’t lodged inside because the steering wheel is in lock position. Move the wheel from side to side to see if that releases the key from the cylinder. It’s also good to check for signs of rust and damage in the ignition itself. If all else fails, get in touch with an auto lock and key expert. 

A failing engine  

If your engine fails as you’re driving, it could indicate that your ignition switch is faulty. As we previously alluded, corrosion can cause low contact in the ignition – and subsequently a loss of voltage. There is no DIY fix for this, so get in touch with a locksmith right away. 

Problems powering on the vehicle 

While ignition wear and tear tends to be the most common cause for this, you shouldn’t rule out other glitches. If your vehicle has a transponder system, for example, it could well be that your key needs to be re-programmed. But then again, a worn out ignition cylinder can mean that the key will only respond to certain positions, or will simply not power up the car altogether. Because this is quite a tricky distinction to make, you’re probably best at leaving the diagnosis to a qualified professional. 

You can’t get the car to start at all 

Again, this could be a sign of various issues – flat batteries, faulty sensors, and malfunctioning ignition switches to name a few. Tell an automotive locksmith your suspicions and ask for an inspection. This will be the only way to truly identify which component is rendering your vehicle inoperable. 

The car powers on, the engine cranks – but you can’t move 

This tends to be more common in a malfunctioning theft protection device, but there are instances where it could be indicative of a faulty ignition. Check if your anti-theft lights are flashing – if that proves to be the case, you’ll need to get your key reprogrammed to transmit the right signals. Otherwise, you’ll need to ask a locksmith to check your ignition cylinder and your fuel facing system, as the latter can lead to similar car operating issues. 

Did you notice a trend in our suggestions? Then let’s focus on how to hire the best locksmith to address your ignition cylinder problems. 

Hiring a reliable automotive lock and key expert

You should be able to trust that an auto locksmith in your area will bring you great value for money. Reputable companies will have all the right equipment, training and tools to provide you with cost-efficient security solutions. Their help seldom costs several thousands of dollars, many businesses won’t charge you for initial price quotes, and local operators are often around 24/7 in case of emergencies. 

Just remember that not all locksmiths are created equal. Some might exclusively focus on automotive services, others might specialize in residential or commercial solutions, and many opt to provide a fully-inclusive set of options. If in doubt, ask the locksmith what services they offer to their customers. 

Recommendations will help you find a credible business in your location. However, if you can’t get names from people you know and trust, online reviews from sites like Angie’s List can help too. Also, good professionals will not balk at the idea of providing you with a list of client references in the area – nor will they get defensive about disclosing crucial information like license and insurance details. If you have the time to spare, checking whether the company has had any complaints filed against them through the Better Business Bureau can help too. 

We can’t emphasize the importance of hiring local enough. Not only will locksmiths from elsewhere charge you extra for mileage, but ensuring that the business you’re talking with has a verifiable reputation will help you in the long run. Be wary of businesses with sketchy addresses or contact details, and never pay full price upfront. Make sure to consult with the locksmith business before hiring them and get a full cost breakdown of the services you are looking for.   

If you’re based in Racine, WI, consider getting in touch with our licensed and insured professionals. Racine Locksmith is a locally-based operation who covers all aspects of automotive security. We’re able to help with your ignition cylinder issues, as well as providing round-the-clock assistance for emergency matters. Get in touch with our crew, schedule a free consultation, and we’ll go from there. 

It doesn’t matter where you’re based – without proper planning, ignition cylinder troubles are likely to cause a lot of stress. So, make sure to follow our tips and get in touch with a reliable automotive locksmith professional in your area as soon as you experience any kind of issues.