Sometimes when I turn off my car and come to take the key out, my key gets stuck in the ignition and won't come out. Sometimes for 3 minutes, sometimes untill i turn it on again and drive then turn it off. What could be wrong?? The lock cylinder??? I hope it isn't because thats a good 300.00 repair...what do you suggest i should do??

 

Drive around until you can get it out....screw paying 300?

 

What year is your car and does your steering wheel lock too?

 

Buy a used ignition switch w/ key from a junyard or ebay. You'll just need 2 keys to open & start your car. Or, deal with it I guess.

 

try spraying a cleaner like wd40 or PBblaster. Then spray a lubricant like silicone lube or something.

The cleaner may break up whatevers stopping the key from coming out. And the lube will make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

Happened to me a couple times. Just go to the dealership and get a new key cut to your vin.

 

That happened to me one morning and hasn't happened since. Freaked me out though. I would definitely get that fixed because if you just keep trying to get it out the key might break off inside, and then you are royally screwed. Getting a new key cut at Home Depot stopped it from happening; my key was slightly bent.

 

if your car is auto you might have to adjust the shift cable

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RedlinedVTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Happened to me a couple times. Just go to the dealership and get a new key cut to your vin.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Happened to me too. I got a new key from Honda, and all was well again.

 

Has anyone suggested the simplest thing yet? Try wiggling your steering wheel back and forth when you pull on the key. It might just be getting stuck in because of the wheel lock.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johann &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if your car is auto you might have to adjust the shift cable</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ya, is your car an automatic? Although that could be true, If you've installed an aftermarket shift ****, you may just need to play with the shifter while it's in "Park".

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jlacoy82 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Has anyone suggested the simplest thing yet? Try wiggling your steering wheel back and forth when you pull on the key. It might just be getting stuck in because of the wheel lock.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That was definitely not it. I park my car at school with the wheels centered, and it didn't feel like it was locked, it felt like it slipped into a spot and wouldn't come out. I sat there for 5 minutes and played with it, I was way late for class. I was able to turn it back, and I turned the car on a few times, but it still wouldn't come out. I had to push really hard then pull while turning counterclockwise to get it out finally.

p.s. I drive a manual

 

Ok, well just mentioning it, you never know. I know I had it happen several times in an old Mazda 323 auto-tranny I had, and it was always a case of just having to crank on the wheel a bit when it got stuck in wheel lock.

 

yeah it's auto, and i was installing an aftermarket shifter at the time but it happened once or twice before that and I took it off and it still happens, but it's very annoying...definately not wiggling the steering wheel...it kind of CLICKS when you try to take it out....wont even let you push it in and turn...

 

how old is the key that got stuck?

it could be the key itself is the problem(or at least part of it). Try getting a new key(once you get it out) at the dealership. then you may not have to worry about it getting stuck anymore.

just a thought.
though I have a problem with my key getting stuck in my 88 accord beater, and its a new key.. so who knows.

 

nope, it's not the key at all...my dad has the hookup at honda dealers so I have 2 new keyless entry and 7 newly cut keys as well as 2 old ones...dont ask, i guess dad likes keys...