What Are the Reasons Why a Car Key Cannot Be Pulled Out?
2 Answers
Car key cannot be pulled out due to the following reasons: 1. When getting off the car, the gear was not shifted to the P position, or the P position was not fully engaged, with something blocking it, thus failing to trigger the electronic sensor; 2. The steering wheel is locked. When parking, the steering wheel was not returned to its proper position, causing abnormal locking of the steering wheel. The solution is to insert the key, then try turning the steering wheel left and right while twisting the key to release the steering wheel; 3. There is a foreign object blocking the slot. The solution is to remove the foreign object, start the car, shift the gear again, and ensure it is fully returned to position, then the key can be pulled out.
I have also encountered situations where the key couldn't be pulled out while driving, and there are usually several common reasons. The most common one is that the steering wheel is locked due to not being straightened. After turning off the engine, if you slightly turn the steering wheel, the anti-theft system will activate, causing the key to get stuck. In this case, simply turning the steering wheel gently can unlock it. Another key point is with automatic transmission cars—if the gear is not in the P (Park) position but left in N (Neutral) or D (Drive), the key may also fail to come out. Checking and adjusting the gear to P usually solves the issue. Additionally, problems with the key or the lock cylinder, such as wear over time or dirt clogging, can also cause it to stick. Cleaning the key or spraying some lubricant into the lock cylinder can help. Occasionally, low battery power can affect the electronic system, so it's advisable to check the battery status. Overall, if you encounter this issue, avoid forcing the key out to prevent damaging the lock cylinder. The safe approach is to check the gear position and steering wheel while parked.
