Until the day you put the key in the ignition and it gets stuck, your Toyota Corolla normally runs like a dream. The key simply won’t budge no matter how much you twist and jimmy it. You know you can’t keep your automobile in this condition, but you’re also unsure of what to do. How is the key removed from the ignition?
Although it varies from model to model, the following steps should help you remove your key from the ignition of your Toyota Corolla:
- Make sure you are in park.
- Verify that nothing is blocking the steering column’s locking.
- Check to see whether the key comes out by cutting off the electricity to the solenoid.
- Check to see whether your car’s battery has died.
- Test the ignition lock cylinder and the lock mechanism.
- Visit a mechanic with your vehicle.
In This Article...
Make Sure You’re in Park (parking mode)
Are you sure you’re in park? I know that sounds dumb and very, very common sense. If so, the automatic transmission in your car probably won’t let the key out unless you put it in park mode. The shift interlock, a safety mechanism, is to blame for this.
Wriggle Your Steering Wheel to Get the Locking Steering Column to Release the Key
Most cars have a locking steering column as an option. Once you take the key out of the ignition, it will lock up. That is intended to deter car thieves. If the locking steering column malfunctions, excessive pressure is applied to the ignition switch, which keeps the key in the Corolla locked.
You can get your key while your vehicle is in parking mode by turning the steering wheel.
Disconnect the Power to the Solenoid
Don’t worry if the aforementioned suggestions haven’t worked thus far. Sam Carmel, the proprietor of Corolla, claims in a “>YouTube video that the starter solenoid found in Corolla vehicles may hold the key (no pun intended) to resolving your problems. This solenoid activates the starter motor of the car by acting as an electromagnet. Two lengthy cables from the starter solenoid connect to the starter motor.
By cutting the wires, you should be able to turn off the solenoid. In the 2010 Corolla, at least, where Carmel focused for his film, the solenoid is located behind the steering wheel. He claims that modifying the solenoid is secure. Hopefully, that will produce the key.
Test Your Car Battery Life
Your Corolla can’t operate without power if the entire interior, including the ignition, is electronic. That usually means that if your automobile battery dies, your key could become seized. There are two clear signs that the problem is with the battery. Do you first notice any inside lights? Can you also start the car?
If the response to either of those two queries was no, your battery has likely died. You’ll need to get a jump if you’re not at home. In order to avoid getting into another awkward situation, make sure you monitor your car battery in the future.
Confirm Your Ignition Lock Cylinder Is Properly Working
A device known as an ignition lock cylinder is found in many vehicles. This is arranged in a row with many pins. When you insert the key into the ignition, a spring inside each of these pins can be released, holding the key in place.
These pins are far from flawless, much like every component of a car. Your key won’t come out of the ignition if there is misalignment or if any of the pin springs become stuck and unable to retract. Smack your ignition lock cylinder with a small hammer, but do so very carefully. After all, you don’t want to damage it. With any luck, a few solid blows will get everything going. If not, a new ignition lock cylinder is probably in order.
A clean ignition lock mechanism is also important. You might have trouble getting your key in or out smoothly due to gunk and particles.
Call a Tow/See a Mechanic
In the worst-case scenario, you might need to call a tow truck to have your car towed and yourself sent home (or work or wherever you were going). If you tried all of the aforementioned fixes and they had no effect, then that is. Most likely, there are deeper issues at play than you can address on your own. Allow a mechanic to handle it.
My Toyota key is stuck in the ignition; why is that?
It’s likely that you inserted the wrong key if your key is stuck in the ignition and the steering wheel of your car is also locked in place. Most cars include a safety mechanism that locks the steering wheel in case the wrong key is inserted. Turning the steering wheel slowly to the left and then to the right while lightly pressing the key will quickly fix this. As soon as you apply sufficient force, you ought to be able to unlock the steering wheel and take the key out of the slot.
Why will my car not allow me to remove the key from the ignition?
The steering wheel lock will engage if you turn off your car while still turning the wheel a tiny amount. Not only will this make it impossible for you to spin the steering wheel, but it will also make it impossible for you to remove the key from the ignition.
This is because the steering wheel lock and the ignition cylinder lock simultaneously. Try rotating the key while moving the steering wheel to release both locks simultaneously. You should now be able to remove the key or turn the ignition.
The automobile key won’t budge no matter how much you turn and twist it. The ignition key is typically not to blame when this occurs.
Here are some quick tests you may run before you start to fear that anything could be faulty or broken:
Verify the key’s location: Verify that the key is in the lock position on the ignition switch. It becomes simpler to turn cylinders past that point as they get older. This is especially true if the key has been connected to several heavy items, as this adds pressure on the cylinder over time and encourages excessive wear.
The key should be carefully taken out of the lock position while you try to rotate the steering wheel back and forth. The ignition switch will keep your key locked in place until the steering system is unlocked when the steering wheel locks sometimes. Never, ever pull firmly on the key. Just concentrate on getting the steering wheel to move.
Test your car’s parking position sometimes because it might not lock into the position. After shutting off the car, if you can still shift out of park, your linkage might be worn out or out of adjustment. To remove the key, the shifter must always be locked in park.
If the dashboard lit up when the key was turned to the on position, check for a dead battery. In many current cars, a dead battery prevents you from removing the key because the theft-deterrent system can’t properly recognize the chip in your key.
If your key is still stuck after running those procedures, schedule a comprehensive checkup with a professional.
In the interim, we advise you to take the following actions:
- You can manually lock the car by using a backup key.
- To prevent the battery from being discharged, keep your trapped key in the lock position at all times.
Why is the ignition locked in my car?
The key may become stuck due to wear and tear as well. Your key may stop working properly after years of abuse. You might not be able to remove your key if your ignition lock cylinder is about to fail. It could be challenging to insert or remove the key if the springs and pins are out of alignment.
How much does a key stuck in the ignition cost to fix?
An ignition switch repair could cost anywhere from $75 to over $200 in parts. Depending on the kind of car you drive and how widely available replacement components are, your expenditures will fall somewhere along that spectrum.