Ignition key stuck, will not move

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May 5, 2009 | 08:35 PM

vegasvette86

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3rd Gear

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Ignition key stuck, will not move

1986 vette, 4+3 manual trans, 44k miles

Last time i removed my key it was a bit difficult to remove, since then when i try to start the lock will not move at all. Steering wheel is locked. I tried turning the wheel and playing with shifting, its in reverse and locked as well.

Security light flashes and i get the chime when i insert my key. Not sure where to look, but im hoping to find some possible causes here.

thanks in advance

Vegas-

May 5, 2009 | 08:39 PM

383vett

Race Director

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From: moraga ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegasvette86

Are you sure you tried pulling the steering wheel hard in each direction while removing the key? Sometimes if the steering wheel is off center when the ignition is turned off, the wheel will try to straighten with the power steering shut off and the key will be hard to remove.

May 5, 2009 | 08:56 PM

vegasvette86

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3rd Gear

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The key itself goes in and out fine(tried my spare also with same result) the last time it ran i did notice the key was a bit difficult to remove but it did come out. i tried pulling on the wheel hard both directions, still will not budge.

May 8, 2009 | 01:05 PM

85ZZ3

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Make sure the tranny is in Reverse, otherwise the key won't come out.

May 8, 2009 | 03:03 PM

1994 LT4

Cruising

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From: Taylors SC

Have you tried spraying WD40 into it? I had a problem where some water had gotten into the cylinder and that made it work perfectly fine again. On my first 1994 the switch at the bottom of the column locked up and the key wouldn't turn at all. I had to pull it out and clean it and grease it again. Hopefully that isn't it, because it is a lot of work and some awkward positioning to get to it. Good luck.

May 9, 2009 | 12:14 AM

vegasvette86

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3rd Gear

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Thanks for the replies so far, gonna try the wd-40 tomorrow, cars at my brothers atm. If that doesnt work im gonna have to pull the wheel and try to get the lock cylinder out. If i remove the cylinder would it be easy to test it to see if it was jammed? ive read about a few things linked to these kind of problems but until i getinto the column im just guessing

May 9, 2009 | 10:00 AM

coupeguy2001

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From: Phoenix AZ

2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist

you might try removing the reverse arm off the trans first, If you can jack up the left side, and remove the reverse arm that goes to the steering lockout, I hear they can do what you describe occasionally.

May 9, 2009 | 10:31 AM

c4cruiser

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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69

NCM Sinkhole Donor

Quote:

Originally Posted by 383vett

If the wheels are not pointed straight ahead, turn the steering wheel as far as you can in that direction while turning the key. Also, jacking up the front of the car to where the tires are off the ground helps take some pressure off the rack and the steering wheel shaft. If that doesn't work, then I would suspect that something is wrong in the lock cylinder or the connection mechanism that releases the column lock.