It can be very stressful to have your car key get stuck in your vehicle’s ignition. However, do not panic as you try to figure out how to deal with the situation since you can’t just leave the key in the ignition with unlocked doors as you do your business.
Your first instinct might be to use force to get the key out of the ignition; however, don’t do it because you might end up breaking the key completely and end up with a much bigger problem.
Here are some reasons why your car key might be stuck in the ignition and ways to deal with the situation:
Common Reasons Why Your Key is Stuck in the Ignition
There are several reasons you might be unable to remove your car key from the ignition. Some reasons might be a unique problem to your specific car model; however, most causes are general and can happen in any vehicle.
It’s best to understand why you can’t remove your key from the ignition so that you can figure out the solution to the problem. Here are some causes of a key getting stuck in the ignition:
Your Car is Not in Park
Cars are designed with various safety features that ensure your well-being. For example, in your automatic transmission, your car key won’t come out if the vehicle is not in the park position.
Similarly, in a manual transmission, you must shift the gear lever to neutral before pulling out the key. The rubber or plastic shifter track might have bounced up if you own an older vehicle. There might also be some debris or dirt on the sidewall, preventing the shifter from getting to the park position.
Locked Steering Wheel
The steering wheel lock will activate if you turn your vehicle while moving the steering wheel just a little bit. This action will prevent you from turning the steering wheel and pulling out the key from the ignition due to the ignition cylinder locking simultaneously with the steering wheel lock.
If your key is stuck in the ignition and your car’s steering wheel is locked, you might have inserted the wrong key. Locking the steering wheel is a safety feature on most vehicles that happens when you insert the wrong key in the ignition.
You can release both locks simultaneously by turning the key while wiggling the steering wheel around. You should be able to take the key out now or start the engine.
Dead Battery
A dead battery might be the culprit if your key is stuck in the ignition, but your car won’t start. Your car’s ignition system depends on power from the battery to function properly. If your battery dies, the ignition system is likely to lock up, and you won’t be able to get the key out of the ignition.
You can wait for a jump start or a new battery to be installed before attempting to pull your key from the ignition.
Debris on Key
It will help if you think twice before using your car keys as a penknife to scratch things, open boxes, or mail. Car keys are very sensitive to any imperfection; therefore, dirt or debris on the key can prevent it from switching on or off the ignition.
Faulty Ignition Cylinder
An ignition lock cylinder on the verge of falling can prevent your key from coming out. This is due to several rows of spring-loaded pins inside the ignition lock, which match up with the shape of your key when inserted.
If the pins are slightly misaligned, it can prevent you from removing the key or even inserting it in the first place.
Worn or Damaged Key
Your car key wears just a little bit each time you turn it in the ignition. When you’re not using the car key, you probably toss it onto a hard-surfaced desk or keep it in your pocket. This kind of treatment will damage your car key.
If your key ever bends or forms a small crack somewhere, removing it from the ignition will be tougher. Therefore, it’s best to replace the key immediately if you notice any damage.
The car is in Accessory Mode
Most cars that use regular keys also have an accessory position in cars. The accessory mode is a single click after the off mode, allowing a driver to use car features such as a radio and a power lock window without starting the car engine.
You probably didn’t notice that you left the key in the accessory mode because you were in a hurry. If you cannot pull your key from the ignition, try turning on the car and switching it off to the off position.
How to Get Your Car Key Out of Ignition
You can try the following solutions if your car key is stuck in the ignition:
How Do I Get Keys Out of Ignition With a Dead Battery?
It’s best to recharge your car battery because a dead battery can cause a car key to get stuck in the ignition. Recharging the battery will free the key.
If you notice a repeated clicking when turning the key, or suspect a low voltage, recharge the battery to establish if it’s a low voltage problem. You can also jump-start the vehicle with another battery or car.
Shift the Gear Level to Park
Your car key can get stuck in the ignition if you remove it without shifting the gear lever to the park position.
If you’re in this situation, ensure the shifter is in park by wiggling it between park and neutral position while stepping on the brake pedal, switching the ignition key backward, and pulling out the key.
Jiggle Steering Wheel
If you’re certain you set the gear correctly and the key still won’t come out, try to gently jiggle the steering wheel back and forth while gently pulling on the key to remove it. Slightly moving the steering wheel will remove the pressure on the lock, and the key should slide out.
Spray Lubricant in the Ignition Cylinder
You can oil the lock with any spray lubricant if the key is stuck in the ignition due to debris. However, this is challenging if the key is blocking the lock. You will need a spray lubricant straw such as WD-40 to achieve this.
What to Do if Key Broke Off in the Ignition
Your car key might break in the ignition if you use too much force to remove a stuck key. You might opt for the following solutions when you’re in such a situation:
- First, use a key extraction tool to remove the broken key.
- Use a jigsaw blade to remove the broken key because it’s so thin it can often fit right alongside the key within the ignition pathway. After inserting the blade, turn it lightly so that the notches in the blade grab onto the broken key and then slowly pull it out.
- Tweezers or needle nose pliers: If any part of the broken key is still protruding from the ignition, you can use needle nose pliers or tweezers to get it out. However, these tools might not work if the key is completely in the ignition lock because they’re too thick to do much good.
Call Your Mechanic
If you’ve tried the above steps and none of them work, it might be time to consult your mechanic. Let your mechanic take a professional look, and they will give you a solution.
Can I Pull the Key Out of the Ignition With the Car On?
You cannot override the car safety functions and remove keys from the ignition when driving. You can’t remove the key in modern vehicles when the engine is on. Even if you do, it might be due to some defects, and you’ll lock the steering wheel.
An accident may be inevitable if you lock the steering wheel while the car is still running.
Can a Locksmith Get a Stuck Key Out of the Ignition?
Yes, a locksmith can help to remove a car key stuck in the ignition, although sometimes the problem might not be the actual car key the steering lock mechanism.
A stuck key in the ignition is more common than you think. If your key is stuck in the ignition, but your car won’t start, you can turn the wheel in the opposite direction to release the lock and enable you to take the key out of the ignition.
You can also try the methods discussed above; if none works, you can call your mechanic for consultation.