How to Remove a Stuck Key from a Cars Ignition

It’s a pretty safe bet that you put your auto key in and out of your vehicle's ignition several times a day. That process alone can add up to a lot of wear and tear on both your ignition key and the ignition cylinder itself. Over time you may run into a situation where it becomes harder to pull your key out of the ignition lock or it becomes stuck altogether. The latter of the two problems can be a huge inconvenience, to say the least and take some time to resolve. So how does one go about resolving a stuck ignition key situation? You are about to find out in this article.

Reasons Keys Get Stuck in Ignition Cylinder Locks

Here are some of the main reasons why keys get stuck in a car’s ignition cylinder lock. 

• The key has become damaged in some way such as being bent, warped or twisted
• The ignition cylinder lock itself has malfunctioned
• The proper key removal procedures are not being followed correctly
• Your car's battery is dead 

What ‘Not’ To Do When Your Auto Key Is Stuck in the Ignition

Before you learn how to remove a stuck key from your ignition it’s better to find out what you should not do to remove that key. That includes:

• Never try to use excessive to pry the key out. Doing so may cause the key or your ignition cylinder lock to become damaged. This could result in a much bigger expense when a professional has to be called to assist you in the key removal process.
• Do not use a tool such as a screwdriver to try and free the stuck key from your ignition cylinder. Once again this could damage your car key or your vehicles ignition cylinder lock beyond repair.
• Make sure you don’t over-lubricate the ignition in an attempt to free up the key. This could result in a situation where a lock professional will have trouble getting their tools to work because of the slipperiness of the ignition lock surface.

Resolving a Stuck Ignition Key Issue

Although you have to be careful not to do the above-mentioned tasks when trying to free a key from your ignition, there are still some things that you can do to resolve this problem. Here are some suggestions:

Double Check the Proper Ignition Key Removal Steps

We are not trying to be condescending here but sometimes stuck ignition cylinder keys are cause simply by operator error. Think of how embarrassing it would be to call someone to help you remove your stuck ignition key and you did not have your vehicle ignition in the off position. Not to mention it will also lighten your wallet or purse a little. It can also be a case where your car has not been placed in park. Vehicles are designed not to release the ignition key if this is the case.

Try Gently Prying Up on the Key

The key word here is ‘gently’. It may work if your key is only very slightly stuck. If you have an old-style key with a hole in the top try placing a small screwdriver through that hole and pulling up on it with light force. If you have a transponder key it will have a plastic end on it so you won’t be able to do this. Never try using a tool to pull out a transponder key because if you break the plastic end these keys are expensive to replace.

Jiggle the Steering Wheel

This may sound a little old school but at times it actually works. Sometimes your key will not come out of your ignition because there is a slight misalignment in the lock cylinder. So, if your key is stuck try placing your left hand around the back of the steering wheel and lightly pulling up on the shifting mechanism. At the same time jiggle the steering wheel back and forth with your other hand. After you do this, try again to remove the key from the ignition.

If these steps fail to work you will have no choice but to have a technician or lock professional try to fix this problem for you.

The Warning Signs That an Ignition Key or Ignition Cylinder May Need Replacing  

Be aware of the warning signs that you may be about to have a major ignition cylinder lock problem that may lead to your car key eventually getting stuck in the ignition cylinder lock. These include:

• Your key is starting to get hard to turn when you go to start your vehicle
• You have trouble putting your key in or taking it out of your ignition on a regular basis.
• When visible inspecting your ignition key you notice overly warn teeth on that key or it is warped or has some other type of damage. 

Taking your car to a service center or calling a lock professional at the first sign of these problems is always a good idea. It can keep you from getting stranded or losing a large amount of time because a key gets stuck in your ignition or the ignition cylinder lock fails to work properly.

Call a Locksmith If You Cannot Remove a Key from the Ignition Yourself

Calling a well-trained local locksmith service is always your best bet when it comes to needing help removing a stuck ignition key. Locksmith companies like Roswell GA Locksmith LLC out of Roswell, GA carry everything they need on their vehicles to resolve a stuck ignition key issue. That includes having the ability to make you a new vehicle ignition key and/or replacing the entire ignition cylinder lock if necessary. 

This is a common lock problem that locksmiths have much experience resolving. Often times they can get you back on your way in just an hour or two. Most locksmith services also offer 24-hour hour emergency locksmith service. That means they are available 24/7, 365 to help you out with any stuck ignition key problems you are having.