Ignition key
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Ignition key
The key mechanism has started to not let go of the key. It takes a little wiggling to remove the key. Will cleaning/dry lube fix it or is it now toast and needs replacement?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
An attempt at the clean and lube is the only way to actually confirm. Be sure to use appropriate lock cylinder lube and you mentioned "dry" so I believe you understand. You didn't mention year so you might mention that. It looks like your car is a '90 or earlier and there's differences in the M6 column vs. the 4+ and the A4 columns regarding key release.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
I would guess you could use a hair blow-dryer to force the dry of the cylinder. What is the quality of your key? Do you have spares? A new key with really sharp cuts can hang in a cylinder also. If the key is new drag an emery board/nail file across the key cuts briefly on all three sides of the cuts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
It rotates to all positions. It's hard to pull the key out without jiggling a bit, it just started this last Saturday. I don't drive it everyday. I haven't tried the spare but all the keys are original to the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 26,302
Likes: 60
From: Monaco
don't sweat it...
when I first got mine I was having trouble getting the key out as well.
about every other ride I had to leave the key in the car.
finally called the local vette shop and the mechanic told me:
"just pull the shifter back a touch"
who'd a thunk ?
when I first got mine I was having trouble getting the key out as well.
about every other ride I had to leave the key in the car.
finally called the local vette shop and the mechanic told me:
"just pull the shifter back a touch"
who'd a thunk ?
