El Mirage Locksmith | Locksmith El Mirage
Call (623) 498-8714
Call us (623) 498-8714
Driving with the windows down on sunny Arizona highways, the wind in your hair, can be relaxing after a long day. What isn’t relaxing, however, is if your car key gets stuck in the ignition. While you might think this unlikely scenario would never happen, it occurs more often than most people realize.
Since most cars being manufactured today have keyless entry systems and remote starters, the vehicles on the road that use locks and keys are older models. As these models age over time, especially with frequent daily use, problems can develop that go unnoticed until they cause a problem.
To avoid this situation happening in the first place, or a repeat of the situation once it’s been resolved, there are a few preventative measures that professional locksmiths suggest that you take. These are easy and don’t require much effort on your part. Inspect your car key from time to time to ensure that there’s no wear and tear or distortion to the teeth. It can help to lubricate your ignition and door lock’s cylinder occasionally to ensure that the key fits smoothly. If your key ever begins to stick in your ignition lock, it’s time to assess whether you need to replace it. Also make sure to keep your ignition lock free of dirt and debris.
Even newer vehicles can be susceptible to manufacturing defects and other problems that can cause your key to get stuck in the ignition lock. This is what often causes keys that are so cheaply made that they can break off in the lock. While it’s generally easier to free a stuck key than a broken one, a locksmith may be required in either case depending on the severity of the situation.
First of all, don’t panic. While your natural tendency may be to get anxious and upset if you realize that your key is stuck and you can’t get it out, it’s important to keep a clear head. Panicking will only make the situation worse. It could cause you to use too much force on the car key in an attempt to get the key free again. You may damage the steering column or ignition cylinder as well if you try to forcefully manipulate them. It’s better to attempt the following specific procedures to free your stuck key. Often, all it takes is a bit of manipulation to get your key free, although obviously this isn’t always the case.
If your key is still stuck even after attempting to free it with this maneuver, it could mean that the shift interlock is holding it in place. Or the teeth on the key may have become warped and gotten stuck on the pins inside the lock. Again, make sure not to use too much force when wiggling or bending the key, as this can cause the key to snap off in the lock, requiring a locksmith’s assistance to extract the broken pieces. If jiggling your key doesn’t work, move on to the next step. It also may be handy to keep a can of spray lubricant and a pair of pliers in your vehicle for just such a situation. Spray lubricant can be applied to the key, which might cause it to have enough slide to allow the key to free itself. It’s important after this occurs to replace your key or have your ignition lock looked at in order to prevent a reoccurrence in the future.
Try rotating the steering wheel to see whether or not you can disengage the ignition cylinder and kick the key loose. If the mechanism is damaged and defective, it may be holding the key in place. Moving the steering wheel back and forth can sometimes kick loose parts that have seized up or become stuck. This happens due to safety features that keep the key in place when the ignition is engaged. If this doesn’t help, it could signal a serious problem with the ignition lock cylinder that may require a complete replacement in order to get you back to driving again.
It’s possible that your key is stuck due to dirt or debris that has found its way into the lock cylinder. While you may not be able to see these types of obstructions, you can attempt to use something like a toothpick or a straightened paper clip to free the key by running it around the lock. Using one hand to jiggle the lock, try cleaning out anywhere you can reach with your other hand. Be careful not to scratch the metal face of the lock. It may also be possible that there’s an obstruction inside the lock itself, in which case a professional will have to handle it.
If your car key keeps getting stuck repeatedly in different situations but you’re able to eventually free it after a little effort, don’t wait until the car key gets stuck entirely. This is a sign that there’s a serious flaw with either your keys or your ignition cylinder. If it’s an ignition cylinder problem, a locksmith is the right place to call. Not only are they usually less expensive than the dealership, but a locksmith is fully equipped to come right to your location and repair or replace your ignition cylinder quickly for most makes and models of vehicles.
