What to Do if Your Car Key is Stuck in the Ignition

If you have ever gotten your car key stuck in your vehicle’s ignition, you know how frustrating it can be. Whether you are dealing with a one-time occurrence or have had to deal with a stuck key in the past, there are several things you can do to alleviate the problem and extract your key. In the following article, you will learn why your vehicle key may be stuck in your ignition cylinder in the first place, as well as how to safely extract your key without causing any damage to your car.

Reasons Why Your Key May Be Stuck

Most of the problems associated with a stuck vehicle key will have to do with your ignition cylinder. The ignition cylinder is the device that holds your key in place while you drive. The top part of the ignition cylinder consists of the key slot where you insert your key near the righthand side of the steering wheel. Consider some of these reasons as to why your key may be stuck:

  • The Ignition Cylinder is Bent

    Ignition cylinders are fairly resilient, but they are prone to damages over time just like any other vehicle part. If your ignition cylinder is bent or not fitting properly, your key may end up stuck. If can be almost impossible to tell if your ignition cylinder is bent just by looking at it since most of it is covered underneath your vehicle’s interior paneling. Just know that any sort of bend or dent in your ignition cylinder may inevitably cause problems when you try inserting and extracting your key.

  • The Ignition Cylinder is Worn or Broken

    If your ignition cylinder is starting to wear down, you may also notice that you will have issues extracting your key. This could be due to a wiring issue somewhere in or around the cylinder, or it could be because the ignition cylinder has worn out entirely and is now malfunctioning. It is possible that nothing you did specifically caused the ignition cylinder to wear down. Ignition cylinders have a limited lifespan and may start malfunctioning as time goes on.

  • A Safety Mechanism Has Been Triggered

    There are several safety mechanisms that your car has that help keep you and any passengers safe while the car is in motion. One such mechanism helps hold the key in the ignition cylinder while you are driving. Sometimes when you go to park your car and extract your key, this mechanism can be falsely triggered and make it difficult to remove your key.

 

How to Extract Your Key

Follow the steps listed below if you want to extract your vehicle key as quickly while causing as little damage as possible to your vehicle or the key itself.

Step 1: Do Not Force the Key Out

Although a stuck key can be incredibly frustrating, it will do you no good to try and force the key out. This will only result in greater damages that will inevitably cost you money and time. Try to remain as calm as possible and remind yourself that most stuck vehicle key problems can be resolved quickly.

Step 2: Try Moving the Wheel Back and Forth

This is the first thing you should try if you notice your key will not come out. Put one hand on the wheel and gently move it back and forth. At the same time, with your right hand, try and extract the key from the slot. Doing these two motions simultaneously is usually enough to disengage the safety mechanism and extract your key. For stuck key issues, you will find that this trick is effective most of the time.

Step 3: Consider Any Recent Damages

If moving the wheel back and forth does not work, it is possible that former issues connected to your ignition cylinder and causing it to act up. Consider whether or not you have experienced problems in the past with your ignition cylinder or if you were recently in an automobile accident. Even fender benders and small accidents can cause significant damage to the various parts of your vehicle. Your key extraction issues may be related to a large or interconnected vehicle problem.

Step 4: Call a Mobile Locksmith

If you are unable to get your key out with ease after several attempts, it is time to call a mobile locksmith. Mobile locksmiths offer on-site lock and key repair and replacements services for vehicle drivers. When it comes to key extractions, a mobile locksmith is the recommended service to call. A mobile locksmith will have the tools necessary to extract your key without causing any damage to your vehicle’s interior or any other vehicle parts.

A mobile locksmith is always the preferred choice when it comes to vehicle lock and key issues. Instead of relying on a towing service to take you to a mechanic, it is much easier to have the help you need come right to you. The next time you find yourself with a stubborn vehicle key that refuses to come out, or you are having other vehicle lock and key issues, do not hesitate to call a mobile locksmithing service.

 

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