What to Do When the Car Key Cannot Be Pulled Out?
2 Answers
Reasons and solutions for a car key that cannot be pulled out are as follows: 1. Key cannot be pulled out after turning off the engine: The reason for this is that the gear is not fully returned to the P position. Although it may appear to be in place, it may not have triggered the electronic sensor, or there may be obstacles like coins in the gear slot preventing it from returning fully. In this case, the owner should check for any obstructions in the gear slot, remove them, restart the car, and shift the gear again to ensure it is fully returned to position. The key can then be pulled out. 2. Steering wheel not straightened when parking, causing the steering wheel to lock: In this situation, while gently turning the key with your right hand, wiggle the steering wheel left and right with your left hand, and the key can then be pulled out. 3. Poor contact due to water in the key: In this case, do not pull hard. Try using a gentle force several times to pull the key out. If the key gets wet, avoid shaking it vigorously or pressing the buttons, as this can cause water to seep into other important circuits. Also, do not use the remote to unlock the car immediately, as this may damage the circuit board. The correct approach is to open the key casing, lay it flat, and use a hairdryer to dry it before further inspection.
I also encountered the situation where the key couldn't be pulled out that day. Don't yank it hard first, as it might damage the lock cylinder. First, check if the gear is shifted back to P position - keys can't be removed if an automatic transmission car isn't in P. If the steering wheel is locked, try gently turning it left and right while attempting to pull out the key, as many cars will jam the key when locked. Also check if the battery is dead - my neighbor's car once had a stuck key due to battery drain. If that doesn't work, try restarting the engine and turning it off again. If all else fails, you'll have to call a tow truck. Last time I paid 200 yuan to have a repair shop come fix it - the mechanic said it was an issue with the ignition switch assembly.
