Why Is My Key Stuck In Ignition

If you’ve ever had your keys temporarily get stuck in the ignition, you’ll know that feeling of panic as you try to wrestle them free. Getting your car key stuck in the ignition can be frustrating at the least, and can ruin all your best-laid plans at worst – especially if you rely on your car for work or the school run.

So what do you do when this happens? What are the reasons it gets stuck in the first place? Well, this month at Lock & Key Centre, we’re going to talk you through all of this, as well as what it means for your ignition and who can help in your moment of need.

Reasons why keys get stuck in the ignition

There are multiple reasons why keys get stuck in the ignition, and part of the route to solving the issue is figuring out exactly what has happened. Here are just a few of the common reasons we see keys getting stuck in a car’s ignition:

A damaged or worn key – Whether it’s worn over time or has bent due to accidental force, your damaged key can become jammed once inserted into the ignition.

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The wafers are damaged – The wafers are small slats of metal inside your ignition, and if these are bent or damaged it’s also likely to cause an issue with your key.

Steering wheel lock failure – In rare instances, you can lock your key in the ignition if your steering wheel lock fails as you’re moving it.

A dirty key – Not always guaranteed to cause this problem, but if enough debris accumulates in your ignition from your key then it could jam the mechanism.

What to do when your car key is stuck in the ignition

The first thing you definitely shouldn’t do is panic. Don’t try and use brute force to yank it out either, as this is more likely to result in a snapped car key but can also do more damage to the internal components of your ignition. It can be frustrating to be in this position, but cool heads will prevail.

Initially, you may just want to try and remove your car key in the normal way, adding a slight jiggle of the key and steering wheel at the same time if it still won’t budge. Again, don’t be forceful, as you can end up making things worse overall.

If your key still won’t budge, it’s time to call a professional. There are many sources online that will recommend other, more invasive techniques, but unless you’re a mechanic or locksmith, you’re really only going to exacerbate the situation by damaging other components of your steering wheel and ignition column.

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Is A New Ignition Necessary?

The answer to this question will largely come down to what has caused the key to become lodged in the ignition itself in the first place. You may require a new ignition if your key has snapped inside it or if it has been damaged in some way. If the key is at fault and can be retrieved without damaging internal components then you may not need a new ignition.

Can an auto locksmith help with this problem?

Yes! There is no one better than an auto locksmith to help you when your car key is stuck in the ignition. For those rare occurrences when the steering wheel lock mechanism is at fault then you may require the additional services of a mechanic to fix this element, but a professional auto locksmith will be able to advise you if this is the case. With this in mind, it’s always easier to contact your local car or van locksmith first.

At Lock & Key Centre, we’re part of the Auto Locksmiths Association and the Master Locksmiths Association, so you can trust that we have the knowledge and the tools to retrieve the key stuck in your ignition. We often work alongside the Metropolitan Police and the RAC, a sign of our commitment to safety and security, giving you peace of mind in your hour of need. From company cars to vans, we work with all vehicles to provide an efficient service for everyone in Buckinghamshire – including Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

If you have a key stuck in the ignition or you require any of our other auto locksmith services then don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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