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.
In This Article...
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. If you’re not at home, you’ll need to acquire a jump. 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.
Your Car Is Not In Park Or Neutral.
You can have trouble removing your key from the ignition if the parking gear in your car is not properly adjusted. Before taking the key out of the ignition in a car with an automatic transmission, you must put the car in park. Move your shifter to neutral if you have problems removing your car key from the ignition and you drive a manual transmission vehicle. You might be able to turn your key now and remove it from the ignition.
Your Car’s Running In Accessory Mode.
The majority of vehicles with a hard key have an accessory mode that enables you to operate the power windows, radio, and other features without starting the car. Typically, turning your key one “click past the Off position will activate the feature.
There Is Debris On Your Key.
Your key may become clogged with debris, making it impossible for it to turn in the ignition cylinder. Minor flaws in a replacement key could result in it getting stuck in the ignition.
My key is jammed in the ignition, why won’t my car start?
As perplexing as having a stuck automobile key in the ignition are some issues. If you can’t get your automobile key out of the ignition, you’re probably wondering why.
It is always simplest to address the most frequent cause. The most frequent causes are a locked steering wheel, a car that is not in park, or a car computer that believes the key is still in the ON position when it is actually off. Other causes include key debris, a broken lock cylinder, a worn-out key, a dead battery, or the incorrect key being stuck in the ignition.
Car not in park position: Safety features are included into every vehicle. The automobile key won’t eject if your automatic transmission isn’t in the park position, for instance. Similar to automatic transmissions, manual transmissions require putting the gear lever in neutral before removing the key. You ought to be aware of this by now if you own a car with a manual or automatic transmission.
On older cars, it’s possible that the rubber or plastic shifter track has risen. The sidewall may be covered in mud or debris, making it difficult for the shifter to reach the park position.
The majority of vehicles that accept normal keys include an accessory slot as well. One click after the off mode switches to the accessory mode. It enables the use of several automotive features without requiring the driver to start the engine. The power lock window and radio are some of these features.
Probably due to your hurry, you didn’t realize you had the key in accessory mode. Next time you can’t get your key out, try starting the car and turning the ignition all the way to the off position.
Another vehicle safety measure, a locked steering wheel, may be triggered by a car key that is still in the ignition but does not operate the lock. When you turn the key in the ignition or apply some force to the steering wheel, this feature automatically activates.
Cars come with wheel locks to keep the steering wheel from turning when the key is not in the ignition. Unfortunately, it occasionally engages with the key in the ignition.
The ignition lock cylinder of an automobile eventually fails, just like the majority of its electrical and mechanical parts. But what if the automobile key cannot be inserted and it malfunctions? The key will be stuck in any position that it was in prior to the ignition cylinder failing, including the ON position.
Reducing the amount of items on your key holder is one approach to make sure your ignition cylinder lasts a long time. There are several items on the keyring that will make them wobble back and forth, increasing the likelihood of aging and early wear. The key getting trapped in the ignition due to aging and early wear might potentially prevent the automobile from starting or turning off.
Car keys are sensitive to any kind of flaw, including debris on the key. A car key with dirt or debris on it may not be able to turn the ignition on or off.
The majority of us frequently use our car keys as a penknife. To scratch objects, open mail or boxes, dig items out, to mention a few. These actions all have the potential to leave residue on the automobile key.
Dead battery: The ignition system of an automobile is powered by electricity. You could be unable to acquire the key if your car battery is dead. A persistent clicking sound when you try to start the car is a good sign that the key is stuck in the ignition because the battery is dead.
The ignition key cannot be removed if the battery is dead, however this rarely happens. If the ignition repeatedly clicks, there is usually a dead battery or corroded battery contacts to blame. It might also be the result of a starter motor that is broken.
Worn-out ignition key: The final possibility is that your key is broken or worn-out. As was already mentioned, many of us utilize our car keys for a few purposes other than starting the vehicle. These will speed up the key’s accelerated wear. Car keys are created especially for locking, opening, and starting the car. Don’t use your car keys for anything else.
My key fob is stuck in the ignition; why?
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.