Key getting stuck in egnition

[Anarchy]

well the other day i got in the GN and put the key in and started it up. not a problem putting the key in went in smoothly. get to the store shut the GN off and the key is locked in. i reached down and turned the colum lock and still no release. so i leave it running and go in the mini mart. and come out drive the car home and fight with it for 20 min to get the key out. finally the keys out and i dont even dare to start it again. so what do i do......

 

[projectmoneypit]

wd40

 

[Anarchy]

where do i put it at inside the egnition

 

[projectmoneypit]

where do i put it at inside the egnition

Mine did the same thing, i shot it in the key hole for just a brief second. Then slid the key in and out quite a few times without turning the ignition.

you ignition does turn all the way back right.

 

[Anarchy]

no it dose not,. i thought it was broken. i try some times to turn just the radio on when im cleaning it up and i have to turn it to almost on. it doesent turn backwards at all.

 

[projectmoneypit]

Might be time to get a new one. You can get a replacement from autozone for about 15 bucks, also rent the steering wheel puller and the hold down clamp for the steering shaft retaining spring. The whole job should take less than an hour.

 

[Anarchy]

thanks for your help man ill be on this job this weekend... thanks a whole lot.

 

[BlackBandit]

Might be time to get a new one. You can get a replacement from autozone for about 15 bucks, also rent the steering wheel puller and the hold down clamp for the steering shaft retaining spring. The whole job should take less than an hour.

+1
that hold down clamp will make the job WAY easier. If you can't rent one buy one. It's worth it.

FWIW it's a bad idea to use wd-40 or any other liquid in a lock. It might help for a bit but eventually it picks up dirt and you're back where you started or even worse off. Dry graphite is the way to go for stuff like this.

 

[aminga]

Mine did the same thing, i shot it in the key hole for just a brief second. Then slid the key in and out quite a few times without turning the ignition.

you ignition does turn all the way back right.

Never spray WD40 or any lube/penetrant that leaves an oily residue into a lock. Sure it will help for a while but it will eventually get so much grit in it it will make it worse. Use Dry Graphite on locks.

Now to the OP. Check to see if the transmission linkage is out of adjustment. If it's off it won't let the lock collar on the Steering wheel rotate far enough to release the key. To check to see if this is the problem. Put the car in park grab the collar at the base of the column (right before it goes into the dash, you can see it move when you move the gear shifter) and rotate it counter clockwise as hard as you can.

If the key comes out adjust the linkage.

 

[Anarchy]

thats my plan. i dont plan to shoot nothing into the cylinder. im going to do what you said. its easyier that way. i really dont want to break nothing. but even a buddy of mine saw this thread and call me up and told me what to do and its what your saying to do with the collar.

 

[projectmoneypit]

Never spray WD40 or any lube/penetrant that leaves an oily residue into a lock. Sure it will help for a while but it will eventually get so much grit in it it will make it worse. Use Dry Graphite on locks.

Now to the OP. Check to see if the transmission linkage is out of adjustment. If it's off it won't let the lock collar on the Steering wheel rotate far enough to release the key. To check to see if this is the problem. Put the car in park grab the collar at the base of the column (right before it goes into the dash, you can see it move when you move the gear shifter) and rotate it counter clockwise as hard as you can.

If the key comes out adjust the linkage.

I have never had a problem with wd40 gumming up anything and i live out in the country with dirt roads. I guess i am lucky even though perfessional lock smiths say to use it over graphite. WD-40 Facts and Myths - Coastal locksmith - 912-230-9044 | Coastal Locksmith - Brunswick, GA
to each his own.

 

[BlackBandit]

what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong.

one locksmith doesn't mean all locksmiths. You'll notice the poster in your link says it's less likely not that it won't. He also said the only reason he doesn't like graphite is because it's messy. I would be leary to take advice from someone that won't use the right lube just because it can be messy. I know people that don't change their oil and their car still runs. They just keep adding it. Sure they don't get their hands dirty but are you going to look to them to tell you how to maintain a car? I'm just sayin'......

 

[projectmoneypit]

one locksmith doesn't mean all locksmiths. You'll notice the poster in your link says it's less likely not that it won't. He also said the only reason he doesn't like graphite is because it's messy. I would be leary to take advice from someone that won't use the right lube just because it can be messy. I know people that don't change their oil and their car still runs. They just keep adding it. Sure they don't get their hands dirty but are you going to look to them to tell you how to maintain a car? I'm just sayin'......

Like i said i have never had a problem with wd40 and have a lock smith to back me up, just like i am sure a lock smith would back you up with graphite. Its kinda like which oil is good for an engine and which isnt. Lets just agree to disagree besides his problem is probably just the collar out of adjustment like stated.

 

[BlackBandit]

agreed


also agree either collar or tumbler.