Something is stuck in my ignition

[AdamE89]

Alright so bit of a backstory. Around 2 weeks ago I lost my car key. Had some important stuff in the car, so called RACV to open my door so I could get my stuff out. I asked him how much a locksmith would cost, he said just call RACV tomorrow and they will get you the cheapest quote and cover up to $150, (basic roadside assistance). Call them up, "yadadada" and $380 ($230 me) was cheapest quote. I told them that I'd have another look before I lock it in and if I can't find it, I'll call them back to book it in. Anyway 2 weeks later, I still haven't called them back or got a locksmith myself, so my car just been sitting there unlocked this whole time (nothing in it).

Anyway, the other day I'm on the RACV website and see the top roadside assistance package covers locksmith up to $300 and all I had to pay was an extra $33. So I do it, and am told to wait 24 hours to call back and the cover of up to $300'would be in effect.

As always happends, I find my key later that day.

I go to the car, open the door, put the key in the ignition and it ain't going in, some metal thing has popped up and prevented my key from going in.

https://i.imgur.com/nVPzy7Rr.jpg

I tried using some skinny picks to push it down and slide the key in but it doesn't bulge. Anyway, what happened, did the car go into lockdown because it thought the RACV guy was trying to steal my car or something and can I fix this myself or is the cylinder cooked?

Thanks for your time guys.

[GASWAGON]

Try some WD-40 in the key hole.

Maybe the lock is a bit jammed.

What model car is it?

[AdamE89]

Hey sorry forgot to add that, Ford Falcon 1999

[GASWAGON]

O.k so its an AU.

As said try some wd-40 first.

Does the central locking working?

[AdamE89]

Yeah it does, so the key is good I think, what in earth is that metal thing, why did it spring into life like that?

I'm a bit clueless with cars to be honest.

Thanks man.

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by AdamE89

Yeah it does, so the key is good I think, what in earth is that metal thing, why did it spring into life like that?

I'm a bit clueless with cars to be honest.

Thanks man.

Not too familiar with AU setup but ye it must be a lock that prevents any keys being put in?

Do you use a remote to unlock the car or just the key in the door?

If the remote is working it should tell the ECU to take the ignition lock down i think?

[Blue Dog]

Don't spray the lock with WD40.
If you have done so already, get something like CRC CO Contact Cleaner & thoroughly clean the lock.
Locks are lubricated with graphite powder.

[AdamE89]

The remote doesn't work but I have it attached to the key.

[AdamE89]

Hey Blue Dog, I'll go buy that and hopefully it works, because a few other people said the same thing.

So did that lock appear because ignition was dirty or something?

[aussiblue]

Try your other set of keys; it's most likely you have damaged the key.

[AdamE89]

But the key still locks and unlocks all 4 doors from the driver's side no issue, does that rule out the key is at fault/damaged?

Key looks fine, I'll take a pic soon.

[marty351]

Locksmith here, don't use graphite in car locks as they are already lubed with grease. Wd40 will help dissolve dried grease as it hardens with age and becomes more resistant and sticky.
If it is a metal piece covering the keyhole it will be the steering lock mechanism activated.
Try using a small piece if metal wire and insert it all the way in the barrel, lightly pressing in and hopefully the barrel will depress a few mm. Then use another piece if metal and push the metal ign lock release back. If it does move back you're in luck. Remove pieces and lock should return to as it was before. Check that the tip of your key is able to get between the small gap and work the metal covering while lightly pressing inward. If this does not happen easily or at all, it's your key, the tip maybe too rounded so go to locksmith and get a new key cut to code. Hope this helps as tibbe type locks are extremely reliable.

[Magna]

That's like a cover for the lock to stop stuff falling in. You need to push it down on an angle (not just into the lock), it should move out of the way for the key to go in.

[marty351]

Originally Posted by AdamE89

But the key still locks and unlocks all 4 doors from the driver's side no issue, does that rule out the key is at fault/damaged?

Key looks fine, I'll take a pic soon.

Take a close up of the tip and the cuts. Also the ign lock.

[AdamE89]

http://imgur.com/a/w7DEV

[GASWAGON]

Thers nothing wrong with that key at all.

My old EFXR key was so bad the lock smith could barely cut a new one but they eventually did it.

As said try some WD-40 on the little bit that has popped up and try and put the key in on an angle (upwards) to push the lock down.

[marty351]

Yep, your key is fine.
Can you get a pic of the ign lock entrance?

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by marty351

Yep, your key is fine.
Can you get a pic of the ign lock entrance?

Check his very first post.....Thers a link to a pic of ignition barrel.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Magna

That's like a cover for the lock to stop stuff falling in. You need to push it down on an angle (not just into the lock), it should move out of the way for the key to go in.

I reckon your on the money mate. Those Tibbe locks have a spring loaded flap that the key pushes out of the way when inserted. I'd say the flap/spring had become dislodged and jammed. If that's the case, i'd try getting some needle nose pliers in there and remove it entirely.

[marty351]

Originally Posted by Kieron

I reckon your on the money mate. Those Tibbe locks have a spring loaded flap that the key pushes out of the way when inserted. I'd say the flap/spring had become dislodged and jammed. If that's the case, i'd try getting some needle nose pliers in there and remove it entirely.

Ok, saw the ign pic, looks OK. The flap itself isn't spring loaded, but is activated by a spring in the ign housing itself pressing the barrel foward. DO NOT remove anything by force! It will only make it worse.

Try inserting a very small flat blade screwdriver and turn it sideways. If it doesn't budge there is a fault with the barrel itself. These locks are only die cast and can fail from time to time, but don't worry about a little man handling as it may free itself.

But don't remove the barrel in the locked or off position as it will deadlock your housing requiring it to be removed to reset it. If you do get it to turn, acc or ign position will allow you to depress the retaining pin and remove the barrel/cylinder. Then get it looked at by a locksmith and take the appropriate measures. If it won't budge, get the best quote and get a locksmith to come out. (Cheaper than a tow truck and a taxi fare)

[aussiblue]

If all else fails a nN
w ignition barrels are readily available from Nice products and their various auto retailers. See https://niceproducts.com.au/product-...ition-barrels/ and https://niceproducts.com.au/wp-conte...catalogue2.pdf it's part number NIB62.

[AdamE89]

Thanks aussieblue, I will look into that.

Also everyone I tried the lube thing and got the metal part to move to the bottom but there was a little bit still sticking out, so I've given up, I'll get it towed tomorrow as I have free towing with RACV.

Woukd K-mart be able to look at it, usually their prices are good for a service so maybe they will be pretty cheap?

Also, anyone have an idea why RACV don't cover this type of situation?

[Magna]

Try pushing the key in now, and if the steering is locked turn the wheel side to side at the same time. The inward force should allow the lock to push in slightly allowing the cover to move out the way.

[AdamE89]

Hey guys, so after several failed attempts by me and several friends over the past week, I finally gave up and got it towed to a locksmith today (free tow with RACV. Was prepared to pay whatever as I'd had enough. Anyway, go to the lock smith, guy comes out and says, "got the key in ya?". I handed it over to him and got up and he said, "nah just stay there, I'll just go have a look at it n see what the issue is. Dude comes back 10 minutes later and asks who had been fiddling with my car and I told him, well it was unlocked for 3 weeks on the street but it's a safe neighbourhood and car ain't worth stealing but other than that, I couldn't be sure that there was no theft attempt. Anyway, two seconds later he pulls out a little metal pin and says that it was stuck in the ignition and to my relief I was just like "but how, we tried everything, how did u do it so quick?" Anyway cars good and he only charged $55.

Little metal pin - http://imgur.com/a/YJD3d

Funny enough metal thing blocking the passage of key to ignition is still there but key goes in fine - http://imgur.com/a/AzLz0

What do you guys think it was?

[.:4:.]

It looks like it might be part of the guts of the barrel. Dunno though. What do you win if you guess the correct answer?

[AdamE89]

$50 TAB Bonus Bet hehe

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by AdamE89

$50 TAB Bonus Bet hehe

Nice. Going by the shape of the key, does that bit fit one side of the key if not both?

[AdamE89]

https://m.imgur.com/a/w7DEV

[marty351]

That pin looks like a snapped key from a cheap padlock.
Sounds like a amateur attempt at theft, I've seen this many times, usually kids with scissors or something similar looking for a joyride.