Automotive Forums

My daughter's having fits. Many times she turns off the car and the keys won't come out. The key won't turn all the way off it seems. This leaves accessories on and drains the battery if she has to leave it this way. She ends up starting the car and shutting down repeatedly until the key will turn all the off and come out. She also has wiggled the steering wheel, put the gear shift in drive and then back in park again, but nothing seems to work consistently, the keys eventually (most of the time) come out. We have tried two different keys with the same result. Any suggestions here?  

will the key always start the car consistently?  

yes, it starts fine all the time.  Sorry for the delay in response.  

the only thing I can think of is a bent key/ ground down key igntion cylinder.


good luck  

If same problems with 2 keys than that would seem to indicate the problem is with the ignition.  Sometimes the cheap hardware store keys are made of poor metal and the wear and leave reside in the lock.   Pickup a spray can of "LOCK EASE", available everywhere.  It has graphite that helps lube locks.  Never use WD40 or similar products as they contain solvents which can make it worse.  

Thanks, I'll try the Lock Ease.  Someone at work mentioned some sort of cable between the gear shift and the ignition that might be stretched or something. I think it keeps you from turning the car off while in gear. Anyone know of anything like this or how it might be adjusted if that were the culprit?  

Sounds like the ignition lock cylinder is excessively worn and needs
to be replaced.