Key Stuck In Ignition – Ways You Can Remove It

If for whatever reason your key gets stuck in the ignition, don’t panic and try to work out why that is. Problems such as these are almost always easy to fix, just follow these simple steps. However, whatever you do, do not attempt to use brute force as this can significantly worsen the issue.

Possible reasons why your key is stuck in the ignition:

• You forgot to put your car in park
• Your steering wheel is locked
• Your key is worn or damaged
• Your car battery is dead
• Your ignition cylinder is damaged or misaligned
• The key chains are way too heavy
• Your ignition cylinder is corroded
• Your door lock is frozen
• Your car is not in park
• You did not turn the key to lock position

You Forgot To Put Your Car In Park

As mentioned previously, the vast majority of these issues are due to very simple reasons. As such, be sure that your car is in park mode, otherwise, you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. There are many different ways you can make sure your car is indeed in park mode.

First and foremost, slide or push your transmission lever to its designated park position. Another great way to tell is if your instrument cluster P sign is lit up. If you own a manual transmission, be sure that your gear level is in neutral, or just press the clutch in all the way.

Your Steering Wheel Is Locked

Our cars are equipped with dozens of anti-theft systems which can sometimes even prevent us from gaining access to our cars. A steering wheel immobilizer also serves this purpose, so whenever you turn off your car and turn the steering wheel, you are likely going to lock it in position.

That being the case, you will also prevent yourself from taking the key out of the ignition because this also locks your cylinders. To remedy this, be sure to wiggle the steering around while also trying to turn the key, and in a few moments, your key should be free.

Your Key Is Worn Or Damaged

Cars are not designed to last forever, as such, almost every aspect of the modern-day vehicle is only good for a certain amount of time. Keys are especially known to take a lot of abuse throughout their lifetime, so much so that they can sometimes bend or chip, which can make them ineffectual.

Try to inspect your key in detail, and if you see any visible scuffs and damages, chances are that the ignition mechanism no longer recognizes the key. If that’s the case, be sure to visit your dealership to buy and program a new key.

Your Car Battery Is Dead

A car battery serves many purposes. It primarily provides electrical current to many vital car components in order for them to work in perfect harmony. This means that whenever your battery starts dying, many other vital components are soon to follow.

The ignition cylinder also highly depends on the battery, and if your battery dies with your key in the ignition, chances are you will not be able to take it out. To rectify these issues, you will either have to charge up your battery, or you’ll have to invest in a brand new one. It's worth mentioning that it's better to buy a new one as only charging up the battery will work for a limited amount of time.

Your Ignition Cylinder Is Damaged Or Misaligned

A car's ignition cylinder is a somewhat intricate piece of machinery. As such, the ignition cylinder can also malfunction, and it often does if you are not gentle with it. This is because the ignition cylinder is lined with several short and long pins which all have to line up in perfect sync for you to start your car up.

If those pins for whatever reason break or bend, the ignition cylinder is not going to let you start the car up, or even take the key out. In order to solve this, you will have to seek out a mechanic, and more often than not, you will also have to buy a brand-new ignition cylinder.

Your Key Chains Are Way Too Heavy

Referring to my previous argument, the ignition cylinder is an intricate piece of machinery, and if you don’t take proper care of it, it is bound to break. Although most people never think about it, lots of keychains can damage both the key and the ignition cylinder.

While you are driving, your keys are constantly hanging from the ignition cylinder. This means that the weight of your key chains slowly but surely exerts unnecessary force onto your key and the cylinder itself. Inevitably, this will cause issues, and when it does, you ought to take your car in for an inspection.

Your Ignition Cylinder Is Corroded

Both your key and your ignition cylinder are made out of metal, and as such, they are prone to corrosion if not adequately protected. However, no one ever rustproofs their keys and ignition cylinder because this is highly unlikely to happen.

Be that as it may, occasionally this might be the reason why you can't take your key out of the ignition. To proactively solve this, spray your key and your ignition cylinder with WD-40 every once in a while. If it happens anyway, a mechanic is usually able to pinpoint the issue in no time.

Your Door Lock Is Frozen

If moisture enters the ignition hole during colder periods, it can even freeze the inside of the ignition switch. Of course, this is only associated with regions that experience harsh winters, and it's not something most people will ever encounter.

As such, it's important to list this as well because most people would never think that this could be the case. One way how you can remedy this is to pre-heat your key before you put it in the ignition switch. Repeat this process a few times until you can start the car up.

You Did Not Turn The Key To Lock Position

Most key cylinder barrels are marked with “LOCK”, “ACC”, “OM” and “START” symbols directly on the surface of the barrel. These symbols are there to let you know what every turn of the key does to your vehicle. As such, if you turn the key all the way to start, you will not be able to take the key out if the key is not returned to its “LOCK” position.

Sometimes the key can get stuck in the ignition which can make it difficult to turn the key in the right direction. If that is indeed the case, try to wiggle your key a little bit. If it does not budge, either your key or the cylinder is damaged.

FAQ Section

How Can I Make A New Car Key?

There are a few different ways how one can get a new key for a vehicle depending on the type of car and the type of key the car uses. If it’s an older car with a regular blade key, you can just go to an experienced locksmith and inquire about making a copy of your existing key.

If you own a newer car, you will have to go through the dealership because this is the safest and most reliable method of them all. There are some companies out there that can self-program a key to your vehicle, but this is often dangerous.

How Much Does A New Car Key Cost?

The costs of a new car key vary drastically depending on the type of car you have and the type of key your car uses. It also depends on if you have a duplicate key already. If your modern-day car uses a state-of-the-art key fob, the cost of getting a new one is anywhere between $150-$600 on average.

How Much Does A New Ignition Cylinder Cost?

A damaged ignition cylinder is a common reason why your keys might get stuck in the ignition which means that you will have to buy a new cylinder when you successfully take the key out. A brand-new ignition cylinder with installation costs between $200-$250 in most cases.

How Much Does A New Car Battery Cost?

Based on the make and model of the car you own, a brand new battery should set you back for about $50-$120 for a standard run-of-the-mill battery. However, if you own a higher-end car, these costs can easily double or even quadruple depending on the type of battery you need.

Can I Start A Car With A Bad Ignition Switch?

Some cars can be started even if the main ignition switch is faulty. Certain cars like older Mercedes models have an auxiliary ignition switch under the central armrest, while others will require a bit more work to get them started.

First, you need to find the corresponding solenoid which needs to be connected with the positive battery terminal. Then you need to unplug the ignition wiring off the solenoid and connect the solenoid to where the ignition switch usually connects to. This should in theory start your car, but it's always better not to mess with the car’s battery if you are not 100% sure what you are doing.