That feeling when you get in your car and insert your key in the ignition, only to find out that your key won't turn, is petrifying. You try your hardest to remove your key by pulling and turning it, but it just won’t budge. Then, as you are fiddling with your key, you realize you have somewhere important to be, and time is fleeting. Thankfully, you do not need to panic because we have the knowledge you need to nip this problem in the bud.
We will show you six ways to remove your key from the ignition. But, be sure to remember that this process requires some patience; you don’t want to break your key along the way. Before we go in-depth into how to accomplish this, it is necessary to discover the cause of your problems before proceeding further.
Causes
Evidently, there is a reason why you can not remove your key from the ignition. But you have us to guide you through this complicated process and get to the root of this issue. Check out which of the following causes is affecting your key and ignition.
Key
One of the main reasons for this issue you are facing can typically be the key. Yes, the key could be the culprit of your issues because it is too old and worn out to act as a key. This also causes your key to be unrecognizable after insertion. In addition, this causes the cylinder pins to not function, which is how the key can work in the first place.
Gear Shifter
For those that ride an automatic transmission, their gear shifter may be the cause of their problems. An automatic transmission has a feature that prevents your vehicle from starting if the gear shifter is not in park. The solution to your answer could be as simple as putting your car in the park position.
Car Battery
Some vehicles rely on the car battery for everything, even turning the ignition. If your vehicle is also like this, your car battery is most likely dead and needs a jump start.
Steering Wheel
Your steering wheel could also be the culprit behind this predicament. You might have a vehicle that programs the steering wheel to lock after taking the key out. This feature prevents your car from being stolen and also causes the key to not turn.
Ignition Cylinder
The only other cause of this problem is the ignition cylinder. Your key is stuck because the ignition cylinder might have broken. There is also the possibility that something is blocking the keyhole. The best-case scenario is replacing the ignition lock cylinder altogether, if true.
6 Ways to Remove Your Key
Now that we know the underlying issue, we can solve it. There are six possible ways for you to remove your key from the ignition, so let’s explore them.
Charge Your Battery
If you believe that your battery is the cause of your problems, you need to charge it. When your car battery is charged, the voltage increases and could lead to unlocking your key from the ignition. Jumper cables will be the perfect solution if you are in a hurry.
Gear Shifter in Park
If you have an automatic transmission, make sure your gear shifter is in the parking position. There might even be a possibility that you have a faulty switch, and the car may think it is in a different position. In this case, try to move the switch back and forth between the park and neutral positions. While doing so, press the brake pedal and turn the ignition switch to remove the key.
Unlock Steering Wheel
Unlocking the steering wheel could also fix your key issues. As previously mentioned, your vehicle could have the feature to lock your steering wheel to prevent theft. To solve this issue, turn the key in the ignition while moving the steering wheel back and forth. Then, you should finally be able to remove the key.
Lubricate Your Lock
If any of that does not help you remove your key from the ignition, you might need to lubricate your keylock. Either your key or the ignition lock is worn out and needs some assistance. The key is blocking the ignition cylinder, so a lubricant spray is just the thing to get in the blocked positions. You should be able to pull your key out then.
Jiggle The Key
Jiggling the key may seem like the obvious answer, but if you go about it the right way, you may be surprised. Just push onto the cylinder with one finger and jiggle out your key with your other hand. Continue to jiggle your key back and forth while pressing down on your brake pad. Hopefully, your key will pop out, but if it doesn't, we have one more solution for you.
Read Trouble Codes
You might need to rely on an OBD2 scanner to solve this issue. This scanner allows you to access vehicle data, such as fuel efficiency, engine RPM, and much more. After reading the trouble codes, you will likely see the cause of your problems, whether it be the shifter, a fuse, or something else entirely. You might also need a more advanced diagnostic scanner to read more of the trouble codes.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, by now you have discovered a straightforward approach to fixing your key problems with our assistance. Each of the six methods for removing your key from the ignition can prove to be helpful in some manner. More than likely, the solution is relatively simple and will satisfy your needs.
However, if none of these methods were the solution you needed, then the problem is more than likely your ignition lock failing. To solve this issue, you will need to get this replaced and reprogrammed by your local mechanic. This might be a pain in the butt, but you will get back on the road in no time.
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