Stuck in parking lot. Key won’t turn. What would you do?

[OnTheEllipse]

I’m at the grocery store and my key won’t turn. It’s been a bit fickle where you have to wiggle it and it will eventually turn, but I’ve been trying for 20 mins now. Not sure what to do. What would you do?

Edit: googling around I’m going to first try unplugging the parking brake sensor under the shit lever…

Then WD40 in the key cylinder

Not sure what to do after that. Do locksmiths come out and change these in parking lots?

Edit: if you’re googling this from your immobile car, the solution for me, to at least get me home, was to remove the panel under the steering wheel and bang on the ignition cylinder. The panel is held on by four 10mm (I think) bolts. When I got home I tried to turn the key again and it’s locked again. So cylinder will be replaced..

 

[alumarine]

Try moving the the steering wheel back and forth as you turn the key.
Also try rotating the key 180 degrees.

I have the same problem on occasion but eventually it works.

 

[OnTheEllipse]

Thanks. Yeah that’s worked for the past year or two, but no luck this time.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Try moving the the steering wheel back and forth as you turn the key.
Also try rotating the key 180 degrees.

I have the same problem on occasion but eventually it works.

Bingo! Mine does it rarely though. Yank on the wheel while turning key.

 

[alumarine]

Maybe disconnect battery for a bit.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Maybe disconnect battery for a bit.

No. I just went outside and made mine do it. If you pull on the wheel with key off it locks. It's hard to get out sometimes. I had to yank on it pretty hard.

 

[OnTheEllipse]

No. I just went outside and made mine do it. If you pull on the wheel with key off it locks. It's hard to get out sometimes. I had to yank on it pretty hard.

I moved that steering wheel as much as humanly possible and flipped the key around and wiggled it. I’ve always eventually got it working but seems to be stuck this time.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

I moved that steering wheel as much as humanly possible and flipped the key around and wiggled it. I’ve always eventually got it working but seems to be stuck this time.

Ok smash on the brakes too try wiggling the wheel back and forth while turning key.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Ok smash on the brakes too try wiggling the wheel back and forth while turning key.

I just did it a few times and it's coming out easier like that. Good luck my friend

 

[Brian.]

I’m at the grocery store and my key won’t turn. It’s been a bit fickle where you have to wiggle it and it will eventually turn, but I’ve been trying for 20 mins now. Not sure what to do. What would you do?

Edit: googling around I’m going to first try unplugging the parking brake sensor under the shit lever…

Then WD40 in the key cylinder

Not sure what to do after that. Do locksmiths come out and change these in parking lots?

Well, this part doesn't help now but I would have gotten a new key, cut from code, back when this issue first showed up. Put that on your list of things to do this week.

Also, don't use WD-40 in locks, it leaves a gummy residue that then holds onto all sorts of junk and makes the cylinder lock up even more. You want to flush stuff out of there, then use a Dry lube ~ some products do combine both (I've been impressed with Houdini lock spray, just be warned it discolors plastic).

Locksmiths can, and will, come out and get you sorted. Just open wallet.


As for what you can do right now? It can only really be the steering wheel lock or the key itself. The plug under the console keeps the key from getting to the unlock position (traps the key in the ignition so you can not Remove it). If you can't get the steering wheel to move one way or the other and unlock the ignition, then you're down to a key. Try a different key (yes, I see you're in a parking lot, get someone to bring a spare).

good luck, hope you don't ignore other issues too else you might be posting about the wheel that just fell off when you went to turn into the grocery store due to a failed lower ball joint. :/ Ounce of prevention....

 

[OnTheEllipse]

Well, this part doesn't help now but I would have gotten a new key, cut from code, back when this issue first showed up. Put that on your list of things to do this week.

Also, don't use WD-40 in locks, it leaves a gummy residue that then holds onto all sorts of junk and makes the cylinder lock up even more. You want to flush stuff out of there, then use a Dry lube ~ some products do combine both (I've been impressed with Houdini lock spray, just be warned it discolors plastic).

Locksmiths can, and will, come out and get you sorted. Just open wallet.


As for what you can do right now? It can only really be the steering wheel lock or the key itself. The plug under the console keeps the key from getting to the unlock position (traps the key in the ignition so you can not Remove it). If you can't get the steering wheel to move one way or the other and unlock the ignition, then you're down to a key. Try a different key (yes, I see you're in a parking lot, get someone to bring a spare).

good luck, hope you don't ignore other issues too else you might be posting about the wheel that just fell off when you went to turn into the grocery store due to a failed lower ball joint. :/ Ounce of prevention....

Haha thanks. I did my ball joints a couple of years ago. I’ve done my own repairs and kept it in good shape, I just neglected this as I’ve always gotten it to work eventually and it’s my 3rd car

 

[Bad Luck]

Haha thanks. I did my ball joints a couple of years ago. I’ve done my own repairs and kept it in good shape, I just neglected this as I’ve always gotten it to work eventually and it’s my 3rd car

I had the same issue that was not solved by a key cut from the vin key code. I replaced the ignition cylinder itself and haven’t had any problems. I bought an ignition cylinder and a couple extra keys, brought them to a locksmith with the key code I got from Toyota, and he recoded the new ignition cylinder and keys to match my current key code. Removed the old ignition cylinder, installed the new cylinder, and reassembled as necessary. Keep in mind my vehicle does not have chipped keys to deal with (no immobilized system). If you do then any additional/new keys will need to be programmed assuming you have a master key.

 

[OnTheEllipse]

I had the same issue that was not solved by a key cut from the vin key code. I replaced the ignition cylinder itself and haven’t had any problems. I bought an ignition cylinder and a couple extra keys, brought them to a locksmith with the key code I got from Toyota, and he recoded the new ignition cylinder and keys to match my current key code. Removed the old ignition cylinder, installed the new cylinder, and reassembled as necessary. Keep in mind my vehicle does not have chipped keys to deal with (no immobilized system). If you do then any additional/new keys will need to be programmed assuming you have a master key.

Excellent, thanks. I’ll try to do this to keep the same keys as the doors.

I was (just now) able to remove the cover under the steering wheel and thwack the cylinder and that was enough to get me home. I’ll work on replacing the cylinder this week.

Thanks for all the help, as always

 

[TheSaturnV]

Cautionary tale I suppose. I've been ignoring this one issue for years as well but the key has never hung up. Its fun trick is you can take the key out of the IGN while driving....

:lock1:

 

[OnTheEllipse]

Cautionary tale I suppose. I've been ignoring this one issue for years as well but the key has never hung up. Its fun trick is you can take the key out of the IGN while driving....

:lock1:

I knew it would bite me in the ass someday. Not as motivated with it being my second car. Glad it only happened a mile from home!

 

[octanejunkie]

Well, this part doesn't help now but I would have gotten a new key, cut from code, back when this issue first showed up. Put that on your list of things to do this week.



Also, don't use WD-40 in locks, it leaves a gummy residue that then holds onto all sorts of junk and makes the cylinder lock up even more. You want to flush stuff out of there, then use a Dry lube ~ some products do combine both (I've been impressed with Houdini lock spray, just be warned it discolors plastic).



Locksmiths can, and will, come out and get you sorted. Just open wallet.





As for what you can do right now? It can only really be the steering wheel lock or the key itself. The plug under the console keeps the key from getting to the unlock position (traps the key in the ignition so you can not Remove it). If you can't get the steering wheel to move one way or the other and unlock the ignition, then you're down to a key. Try a different key (yes, I see you're in a parking lot, get someone to bring a spare).



good luck, hope you don't ignore other issues too else you might be posting about the wheel that just fell off when you went to turn into the grocery store due to a failed lower ball joint. :/ Ounce of prevention....

Graphite powder is the only thing I'll put in lock cylinders, it's cheap and I carry a tube in each car

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