The first element that comes into operation when starting a car engine is the ignition switch (ZZ). It is thanks to him that an impulse is formed in the ignition system, which is subsequently used to ignite the air-fuel mixture. In this article, we will analyze the main malfunctions of the ZZ and tell you what to do if the key in the ignition does not turn.
The most common causes of key problems
So, why does turning the ignition key fail to turn it?
For what reasons a stuck ignition key cannot be pulled out:
- The blocking has worked. At present, almost all vehicles equipped with a steering wheel lock. So, if the key is stuck in the ignition, it is quite possible that the mechanism lock, designed to prevent car theft, has worked. In this case, the protection is to prevent the possibility of transferring energy to the starter assembly and, thus, preventing a potential attacker from starting the engine.
- If the key is jammed and it cannot turn, and it also cannot be removed, it is quite possible that the reason lies in the clogging of the device. Dirt and debris can get into the design of the ZZ, especially if the mechanism was lubricated with oil. As a rule, lubrication is used to ensure the best functioning of moving components. But it must be borne in mind that products of this kind are an excellent magnet for chips and wear products, as well as dust. Moreover, if cleaning is not done in time, then even more dirt will accumulate in the structure over time, so the key will get stuck and not pulled out.
- Also, in practice, the key in the ignition switch often does not turn due to the freezing of the structure. Especially often this problem manifests itself in the winter season. Jamming occurs as a result of the appearance of condensate on the ZZ mechanism, which is formed as a result of the evaporation of various liquids. The condensate itself settles on the structural elements, and due to the temperature difference, it is converted into ice. Accordingly, the key cannot be turned and removed due to an obstacle - ice - on moving components.
- Another reason why the ignition key cannot turn may be the wear of the elements. Moreover, we can talk about both the wear of the key and the secret components of the ZZ itself. If you think that this is the problem, then you need to make a detailed diagnosis and compare the old short circuit with the spare one. In the event that traces of wear of the relief of the teeth are really visible, then first of all you need to order a duplicate. Try not to use a spare key, because in the future you will not have anything to make a copy of it in the future.
- Deformation or breakage. As a rule, the problem of deformation occurs in those motorists who use short circuits for other purposes. For example, as a screwdriver or opener for beer bottles. It must be remembered that the keys are always made from fairly soft metals, so this element can break very quickly. If the short circuit is simply deformed, then this is not scary - you can always try to restore it by trimming it with a hammer.
But if the problem lies in the wear of secret components in the ZZ itself, then it will be possible to detect it only after dismantling the mechanism and disassembling it. ZZ secrets can be damaged as a result of the driver accidentally inserting the wrong key (the author of the video is Antonych and Alexey Podolyak).
Troubleshooting
We figured out the reasons why the key is not pulled out of the ignition, now we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the methods for eliminating the breakdown.
In order:
- If the problem is blocking, then you will need to find the optimal position of the steering wheel at which the column, as well as the ZZ, can be unlocked. Install the key in the socket and try to turn the steering wheel left and right. The key should turn at the moment when the steering wheel position is ideal for starting the power unit.
- Since in practice the key is often not removed from the ignition lock due to its contamination, in order to solve the problem, it will be necessary to remove the mechanism and clean it. But if the problem overtook you suddenly, then you can try to fix the problem on the spot using WD-40 fluid. To do this, simply direct the jet from the cylinder into the short circuit hole, flush the mechanism until you see that the flowing agent is clean.
- In the event that the problem lies in the freezing of the ZZ, then you need to try to warm it up. There are several methods for this. For example, you can use the hot air from a hair dryer if there is an outlet nearby. It may also fit special agent for sizing.
The easiest method is to heat the short circuit with a lighter, then install it in the mechanism and wait about a minute, and then try to crank it. If it doesn't work the first time, try repeating the process again. After several attempts, the ice should melt under the heat and melt. - If the short circuit does not rotate due to wear, then the only way out of this situation is to replace the element with a new one. The same applies to the secret of ZZ - if it is worn out, there are no options for solving the problem other than replacing it. In the event that the key is bent, then you can try to level it with a hammer, but not the fact that this will help. In this case, use not a metal hammer, but a wooden or rubber one. If the key is not worn out much, then you can try to find the position in which it will work by turning the steering wheel, as in the case of blocking.
- If the key in the ignition lock is broken, then to solve the problem, it will be necessary to remove the mechanism to extract the broken short circuit. If you do not have a duplicate, then the entire structure will have to be changed.
Video "Dismantling the ZZ in a Peugeot 406 car"
The video below shows the process of solving the problem of a stuck key in the lock by dismantling the latter in a Peugeot 406 car (the author of the video is the MZS TV channel).
Any mechanism is subject to wear. Intensive use only speeds it up, and in the car, almost all units are used very intensively. And besides banal wear and tear, there are other factors such as misuse, design flaws, etc. Therefore, it is not surprising that sooner or later the driver faces problems that he had not previously thought existed. However, despite the above, some things still become unpleasant surprises that you don’t even know what to do with. Confusion is not at all the lot of beginners, as it might seem. The most experienced sometimes give in to what happens to him for the first time.
But experience and inexperience are so different that the experienced will not panic. If one day, not at all perfect, your ignition lock is jammed, there is no point in rushing around the car and cursing it at all costs. You need to understand the situation as quickly as possible, eliminate the consequences and at the same time make sure that your actions do not become a hindrance to others.
An unpleasant surprise
Of course, the first thing you think about when the ignition is stuck is that you can't print in polite society. Let's not focus on this. You will immediately understand that something is wrong when, despite the inserted key, the steering wheel remains locked. Sometimes it helps, as it used to be on the Soviet classics, to pull the steering wheel and the key at the same time to the right and left, without fanaticism, of course. Then the jammed lock will turn, the steering wheel will unlock and then everything will go in the normal mode. On the one hand, this is an optimistic scenario. On the other hand, you should immediately go to the service (or to the store for a new lock), since what worked the first time will not necessarily work the second. In such a situation, it is foolish to hope for "maybe", because it is at least dangerous. The lock can jam in motion, and this is quite capable of becoming.
Where to look for the origins of the problem? The steering wheel and the ignition lock can jam for various reasons, but they have the same essence - the wear of parts. When the pins in the lock cylinder wear out, they no longer match the grooves of the key, so the lock simply does not perceive it as “its” key; it is quite clear that in this case you will not turn the key. It's one thing if it happened in the parking lot, when you got into the car and tried to start it. This is, of course, unpleasant, but at least not so dangerous. What if the ignition switch gets stuck while driving? This is quite possible with strong shock or vibration. The groove of the inserted key jumps off the pin and becomes a wedge for the lock cylinder, which can no longer be pulled out just like that. Blocked at the same time steering, and only competent pedaling can save you from a collision at such a moment. Not least, therefore, at one time such a mechanism as the start-stop button was invented and put into circulation, which is increasingly being equipped with and. She, of course, is not perfect either, but one should not expect such a dirty trick from her.
Another common cause of ignition lock problems is the incorrect installation of the autorun system. The emergency system is brought to the lock and, upon a signal from the key fob or other source, switches it to the on position. A failure in the electronics may well cause the ignition and steering wheel to jam, so be careful with such systems.
Fighting methods
When something has already happened, it is useless to lament and lament. You have to work with what you have and deal with the consequences. In our case, call a tow truck and take the car to the service. Or if you yourself are used to repairing your car, run to the store for a new lock. The most difficult event in this procedure is to pull out the larva. To do this, you will have to partially or completely, depending on the model of car, dismantle dashboard. But before you call the brutal man on the crane truck, try to "play" with the key; try pushing it in while turning or, conversely, slightly releasing it from the groove. It may turn out that your manipulations will allow you to start and drive to the service yourself.
As a rule, the manufacturer tries to facilitate access to the main components and assemblies. Therefore, if you are lucky, the lock cover will be a separate part of the tidy and you will only need to unscrew a couple of screws to remove it. What exactly to do next, we will speak very abstractly, because any specific steps are highly dependent on the model.
A jammed ignition switch must be disconnected from the wires of the ignition itself, unscrew the screws on which it rests, and carefully remove it. If you were able to lock, then simply install it in place and assemble it in the reverse order of disassembly. If you connected it correctly, then everything should work normally. Screw the new key into the key fob in place of the old one and enjoy the ride.
It is more difficult if there is nothing to change the stuck key and ignition lock. In this case, you will have to disassemble the lock.
Dismantling the castle itself is not so difficult. It's just hard work that needs to be done very carefully. Otherwise, you will get an inoperable part and you will have to disassemble the panel again. A key stuck in the ignition should not be pulled out. This will damage the pins even more and will require more file work. After disassembling the lock, find the cause of the malfunction: it may be a burr, pin or key wear. Eliminate the defect found with a file, file or other tool, if possible. If not, then, as a rule, experienced motorists still go for a new lock, but some, under the yoke of circumstances, manage with improvised means. Such a repair cannot be considered reliable. Therefore, if for some reason you still resorted to this option, get rid of it as soon as possible.
Same shit happened :(
Only for me, after turning the key and the steering wheel for 1.5 hours, it did not turn.
I had to call a tow truck. And it was at night on the Gorky highway somewhere in the middle of the city of Balashikha. The front wheels were turned slightly to the left. They couldn't get into the car from "Angel" - they arrived in a narrow Chinese van with an awning, and the car constantly almost rested against the awning posts, first with one side, then with the other. What they thought in "Angel" when they sent this tarantayka, although they were told the situation with the wheels blocked and turned - I don't know, but they were sent as a result, because. it was probably possible to drag it in the end, but how to get it out of there later - the winch is only in front. Another car was called from another office with a crane. A big, solid Mercedes car arrived. But the driver who arrived on it suggested another solution - the front wheels were rolled onto the edge of the platform, then the platform was poured with oil and the car was dragged with a winch on the brakes.
We arrived at the Prevox service - he seemed the closest, and he took the typewriter there (only a month has passed). The time is 3 am. Naturally, there is no one except the guards. We agreed with the guards that we will unload the machine to the service area, i.e. behind the fence, not in front of the fence.
The next day (05/06/06) somewhere at half past eight in the morning I arrive, the machine is where it was unloaded at night. I go to the receivers, I say - so and so, the lock is jammed. They say this in the body shop (I still can’t understand this - how the ignition lock relates to the body, and why this is not locksmith work). The master of the body shop listens attentively and says - well, it is necessary to change the lock cylinder, it must be ordered, and in general we are loaded very much even there is no one to see your car. We will put you on the waiting list for repairs in mid-June. I explain to the person a certain problem - the machine is already on the territory of the service and cannot move independently. I read surprise in my eyes and hear a series of questions - where, from where, when and what ... allowed :) After which the man sighs and says - well, let's go look.
Inspection did not reveal any novelty in the issue. They sat down to write an order. I ask - what are you going to do? The answer is - well, they usually change the larva. Question - replacement of the larva seems to be accompanied by a replacement of the key? The answer is no, the larva is selected under the existing key. The question is how? The answer is nuuu, there it is, well, they pick it up. The question is - is there a pin mechanism of secrecy and is it disassembled and pins are selected in it? The answer is - well, there, probably, it is, well. Question - is the larva collapsible there? The answer is - well, I don’t know anything, this is the second Focus, we haven’t had such cases with him yet, we’ll look.
On the order, they wrote that this is a guarantee. They promised to call. I will call them myself tomorrow.
In this regard, questions to respected forum users:
1. I found a mention of several cases by searching, but it all ended with the fact that the lock still turned. But can anyone deal with surgery? What is changed in this case? Do they change keys?
2. Where can I get acquainted with the lock device - diagrams, pictures, design descriptions, etc.? To at least substantively talk with servicemen.
I would be very grateful for any information.
