What Causes the Manual Transmission Car Key to Get Stuck?
2 Answers
Manual transmission car key stuck: Generally, there are three main reasons why a car key cannot be pulled out: The first is that the key cannot be turned after insertion; the second is that the key gets stuck due to ignition failure; and the last is that the key cannot be pulled out after the engine is turned off. The details are as follows: 1. The key cannot be turned after insertion: This is usually caused by accidentally turning the steering wheel left or right after parking and turning off the engine, or if the wheels are not aligned properly when parked. The force applied can cause the steering wheel to turn, triggering the steering wheel lock mechanism. The steering lock pin engages with the steering column, making the steering wheel immobile, and even if the key is inserted, it cannot be turned no matter how hard you try. 2. Ignition switch failure: This can cause the car key to get stuck, and the ignition switch needs to be replaced. 3. The key cannot be pulled out after turning off the engine: This happens when the gear is not fully engaged in the P (Park) position. Sometimes it may appear to be in place, but it hasn’t actually triggered the electronic sensor, or there might be obstacles like coins in the gear slot preventing it from returning to the correct position.
I've encountered this issue several times, especially with older manual transmission cars. There are two most likely causes: either the steering wheel is locked or the gear isn't in the correct position. If you don't straighten the steering wheel when parking, the anti-theft lock will automatically jam the key. Another thing is that many cars are designed so you must shift into reverse gear to remove the key. You can try gently wiggling the steering wheel while pulling the key, and simultaneously push/pull the gear lever a few times to see if it unlocks. If that doesn't work, there's an 80% chance the lock cylinder in the ignition switch is worn out and needs replacement. Also, a deformed key itself can get stuck, so don't hang too many heavy items on your keychain. A repair shop owner told me they get several such cases every month.
