KEY WON’T TURN IN THE IGNITION — A STICKY SITUATION! LET SOUTH SHORE LOCKSMITH HELP
You’re running late for an appointment. You get in your trusty car, slip your key in the ignition and low and behold, the key won’t turn in the ignition. Your mind starts racing with possibilities. After your initial panic, take a deep breath and read on and discover what to do when your key won’t turn in the ignition.
First, there’s no need to panic. When all else fails, know that a trusted locksmith like the professionals at South Shore Locksmith can always help you out of a scary situation, like when your key won’t turn in the ignition.
There are many reasons your key is failing to respond but there are three that are among the most reasonable reasons. Here are the top three reasons why this sticky situation could be happening:
Problems with the key itself
Ignition lock cylinder problems
Issues with related components
Before you do anything, put on your parking brake, to ensure that your vehicle is secure. Now let’s begin to assess the situation to why the key won’t turn in the ignition.
PROBLEMS WITH KEYS:
The Key is Bent: The bend in the key may be so small you might not have noticed it, but it will still create a situation where the key won’t turn in the ignition. It even fits inside the ignition, but when you go to turn the key — it won’t budge. The problem is once the key is inside it won’t align correctly to start the car. You may be able to solve the bent key problem with a trusty hammer, firmly tapping it to straighten and then trying it again to see if it will properly align and start the car.
Worn Out Keys: This is a very common problem, especially with older vehicles. When these types of keys become worn out it makes the pins located within the cylinder not to properly drop and start the engine. This is why your key won’t turn in the ignition. The best way to deal with this is to replace the key. If the car has two keys, try the spare. To get a new key made you can try and contact the dealership or a reliable locksmith like South Shore Locksmith! You’ll need the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) which is located on a label either on the driver’s side windshield or look inside the door jamb.
You Have the Wrong Key: Anyone can make this mistake! With so many keys that look just the same you may have taken the wrong key, it may actually fit into the ignition, but because it will not properly align, it’s not going to start the car. Make sure you have the right key and try again.
ISSUES WITH RELATED COMPONENTS:
The Steering Wheel: This is my key won’t turn 101, the first lesson many of us learn. In many vehicles the steering wheel can lock when you remove the key, sometimes this lock gets stuck, and all you need to do is gently but firmly turn the wheel. Most of the time this will relieve the pressure in the lock, and the steering wheel will turn. Now you should be able to start your engine.
What Gear Are You In? For many vehicles, if the gear is not safely in park, the car will not start. It’s a safety feature that we often forget about because, as drivers, we automatically put the car in park and remove the key. Sometimes without noticing it, the gear can get shifted causing the safety feature to trigger and us not being able to start the engine. This is only a feature in automatic transmissions. The simple fix, place the car in park and it should start right up.
RIP Battery! If your battery has died, your key may not turn in the ignition. With the advent of more complicated electronic ignitions, this is just another way of your car communicating with you. Notice if the lights are not turning on or maybe you’ve had to jump start your car recently? This could be the reason you can’t turn the key. Verify that the battery is dead and replace it or jump start the battery and then you should be able to turn the key.
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PROBLEMS:
Obstruction: If the key cylinder has a blockage, the key won’t turn in the ignition. To determine if there is an obstruction in the key cylinder look inside with a flashlight. The most common thing you’ll see with this type of ailment is metal debris.
Cleaning out the blockage can be dangerous and may be best left to a professional locksmith. To clean away debris, you’ll need an electrical cleaner or compressed air. Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes and make sure the area is well ventilated. Once the blockage is removed, the key should be able to slide in and turn.
Stuck Pins and Springs: The pins and springs located inside the key cylinder each are uniquely shaped so that only your key will be able to start the engine. If the pins and springs are jammed, your key won’t turn in the ignition. Once these parts age or are damaged, that nice fit is altered so that your key won’t turn. If the pins and springs are just a little stuck jiggling the wheel or tapping it gently with a hammer to vibrate the key cylinder may help loosen the jammed pins and springs. Once they’re in place, the key should turn. You should then follow up with a lubricant to help the pins and springs stay loose.
Although there may be some quick fixes when your key in the ignition, sometimes your best bet is leaving the problem to a professional. South Shore Locksmith has the skills, key cutters, and blanks for every type of car. You won’t have to worry if your key is either worn or broken, they’ll cut a key from code. In the short run, you could try and fix the issue and then end up doing more damage which will cost you more money. Instead, trust a professional locksmith like South Shore Locksmith to fix any problem — like when your key won’t turn in the ignition! We’re here to help with keys and locks the first time.