Help! Key Stuck in Ignition

[W8_JP]

Hello, my first post on this forum & it’s not for a good reason.

The key is stuck in my ignition in my ’52 Passat!

I can turn it, but when I try to pull it out it won’t come out. If I try to start the engine the key sort of clicks & locks in to position – the engine won’t start.

If I press the buttons on the key fob it doesn’t lock/unlock.

Any ideas on a quick-fix, or is it fubared?

John

[Imran]

Is your steering lock on? This once happend to my dads honda, we ended up spraying some wd40 down the ignition barrel giving the key a twist and it finally came out

[chrisball666]

Good idea!

I had a slightly different problem on my BMW 520 where the key would go in and out of the barrel but wouldn't turn. It was dropped tumblers in the barrel and required the car to be recovered and a new barrel fitted. I went to BMW because I didn't want to end up with different keys for ignition and doors etc.

Apparently dropped tumblers are not uncommon especially on higher mileage cars.

I hope the WD40 works - good luck!

[W8_JP]

LMAO.

OK – I suck at autos! Just walked back to my car to try to force the steering wheel, in case it had something to do with the steering lock. Open the door & the first thing that I notice is that the gear lever is in the middle of the ‘box – in drive! Slide it into park….the key slips out.

It must have slipped my mind when I parked up. I’ve not had the car long & it’s my first auto – it’s not quite second nature yet.

Thanks for the speedy replies, though. Feel like such an idiot now.

[bora(ing) nick]

LMAO.

OK – I suck at autos! Just walked back to my car to try to force the steering wheel, in case it had something to do with the steering lock. Open the door & the first thing that I notice is that the gear lever is in the middle of the ‘box – in drive! Slide it into park….the key slips out.

It must have slipped my mind when I parked up. I’ve not had the car long & it’s my first auto – it’s not quite second nature yet.

Thanks for the speedy replies, though. Feel like such an idiot now.

lol, Lesson learnt.

Welcome to the forum!

[chrisball666]

LMAO.

OK – I suck at autos! Just walked back to my car to try to force the steering wheel, in case it had something to do with the steering lock. Open the door & the first thing that I notice is that the gear lever is in the middle of the ‘box – in drive! Slide it into park….the key slips out.

It must have slipped my mind when I parked up. I’ve not had the car long & it’s my first auto – it’s not quite second nature yet.

Thanks for the speedy replies, though. Feel like such an idiot now.

I've never had an auto before and didn't know they did that. Do all autos do that?

[bora(ing) nick]

I've never had an auto before and didn't know they did that. Do all autos do that?

Well you learn something new everyday

Yeah, modern (automatic) cars need to be in "park" to remove the key.

[vwtdi130pd]

iv did that before

[glen poole]

Haha, that happened to my missis when we got our car, she put in park but the chrome button on the gear lever didn't come out, it took us ages to work it out, a bit of wd40 & it's been fine ever since