7, Aug 2021
What to Do, Car Key Stuck in Ignition

If you are seeking guidance on what to do because your car key is stuck in the ignition,then we hope we can shed some light on this situation. We are a mobile locksmith company that is skilful in auto locksmith services like broken key extraction and ignition changes (). Our hope is that we can provide insight as to what you can do if your car key is stuck in the ignition,and perhaps even some steps you can try prior to calling on a locksmith or if you are waiting for a mobile locksmith to arrive to help you. 

Find out more:  

When a key gets stuck in the ignition of your vehicle, of course you would like to have the problem solved fast to allow you to quickly get back on the road. The good news is that a locksmith that is experienced should be skilled in working on locks and keys for all vehicle makes and models – Subaru,Kia,Ford, Chevy,Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi,  BMW,Acura and Mercedes,to name just a few 

One thing we want to point out right away is that when a key is stuck in the vehicle’s ignition,and you also notice that the steering wheel is locked at the same timeyou might have inserted the wrong key. It is worth it to check if this is the case because the steering when would automatically lock as a safety feature in the event the wrong key was used.  

Now, we are going to provide some steps to try before calling on the help of a locksmith   ,

Check if the vehicle is not off 

Perhaps you have a new car or are otherwise driving a car you are not used to. Maybe because of your lack of familiarity with the particular vehicle,you did not realize that when you went to remove the key from the ignition,the car was not totally off. Realistically,this could happen to anyone. It could just be an off day!  

The key could be stuck in the ignition because the car is still running. Maybe the engine was off but accessories or other components are still powered on. Make sure the key is turned all of the way to the lock position prior to attempting to remove it. Just don’t force the key out as this could cause damage. But if you do end up in need of an ignition change or broken key extraction,know that a locksmith should be proficient in providing these services.  

See if the vehicle is in park or neutral  

If a car is not in park or neutral,then it is a safety feature that prevents a driver from being able to remove the key from the ignition. This is a feature associated with automatic transmission vehicles.  

Take a look at the key’s position  

This is consistent with what was previously discussed regarding the vehicle’s engine being turned on – the car key is not going to come out of the ignition if said key is not in the right position.  

Notice if there is damage to the key 

Wear and tear can,over time,cause damage to a car key. This is especially true if you have several items on your car key ring,or just something that is relatively heavy and might be putting strain on it. It can eventually weigh down the key and consequently weigh down the ignition cylinder,too,by adding too much weight. The solution might be key replacement or it might be ignition cylinder replacement. This is something a locksmith can help to determine.  

Notice if the steering wheel is locked 

If the steering wheel is locked, it might be stopping you from being able to remove the key. We suggest turning the steering wheel from side to side in an effort to loosen and then remove the key

Be aware that a dead battery can cause many issues

The reason the key might be stuck could be a dead battery.  

Notice any ignition damage

The ignition cylinder could have debris in it or it could otherwise be damaged. Of course,if a key is trapped inside,it can be hard if not impossible to spot dirt or debris. This is where WD-40 might come in. You could also try pressurized air in an effort to clear out the ignition cylinder. 

If you have taken the time to try any or all of these steps, but to no avail, then we recommend calling on an experienced locksmith. They will be able to provide a solution if a lock or key problem is the issue. They can help if the ignition cylinder requires replacement. They will be skillful if a key is broken and needs to be extraction. It is always a good idea to hire someone experienced to do the job.  

If you are here because you were seeking direction on what to do because your car key is stuck in the ignition,then we hope we have been able to shed some light on this situation and different possibilities. We are a mobile locksmith company that is skilled in auto locksmith services for all vehicle makes and models,such as Kia,Chevy,Hyundai,Ford,Honda and more. We are skillful in auto lock and key services,to include broken key extraction and ignition changes. Our hope is that we have been able to provide insight as to what you can do if your car key ever becomes stuck in the ignition,and perhaps we have mentioned steps you were not previously aware of. They are certainly worth trying. We know that the end goal is to be able to use your vehicle and get back on the road fast,and we hope that you are able to do this!  

Thank you for visiting us and learning more about what to do when the key is stuck in the car’s ignition!