Key stuck in ignition

michaelb · December 26, 2009, 01:38:27 PM

Hi All

Yesterday when I was in Brighton for Christmas lunch (I live in London) the key initially got stuck in the ignition, I managed to take it out. In the evening I could not get the key inâ€¦I called RAC and to my surprise he was able to â€œliftâ€ the blockage using a tiny screw driver.
I was able to drive home, took the key out and went to sleep This morning I again can not take the key out but I can start the car fine.
Do I change the barrel? Is this something I can do my self? How much is a Mazda key barrel with the key? Has any one got a second hand one for sale with a key ( 96 RX7)? Is this fixable? Has anyone had similar experience? I may have to take the car to Kerimâ€™s at Powergains to change the barrel..

Your thoughts and suggestions would be very welcome

Regards.
Michaelb

TiddlesRX7 · December 26, 2009, 02:37:53 PM

I had a similar experiance with an AX GT years ago. The end of the key broke off in the barrel. I had to strip the barrel out and fully dismantel it to get the broken bit out. Then got a key from a scrap car and set the pins in the barrel to suit the new key. All in all it was a major ball ache to do and TBH if my Dad hadn\'t helped me to do most of it then I would have been screwed. Its not something I would like to do again.
It sounds to me more like one or more of the barrel pins have become stuck and are bloking the barrel. If you can get a thin strip of metal or something then you may be able to jig it like the RAC bloke did.
Hope you get it sorted soon mate.

michaelb · December 26, 2009, 05:30:31 PM

Quote from: TiddlesRX7;661594I had a similar experiance with an AX GT years ago. The end of the key broke off in the barrel. I had to strip the barrel out and fully dismantel it to get the broken bit out. Then got a key from a scrap car and set the pins in the barrel to suit the new key. All in all it was a major ball ache to do and TBH if my Dad hadn\'t helped me to do most of it then I would have been screwed. Its not something I would like to do again.
It sounds to me more like one or more of the barrel pins have become stuck and are bloking the barrel. If you can get a thin strip of metal or something then you may be able to jig it like the RAC bloke did.
Hope you get it sorted soon mate.

Thanks for that. The key is still in, thank god the car has a major alarm system...What about changing the barrel with a new key? Is that a major job?

Regards,
Michaelb

FD3S Efini · December 26, 2009, 08:42:17 PM

i have a spare ignition barrel and other gubbins aswell thats you can have for Â£25 plus postage if you want? problem is i wont be able to send until jan 11th

Kris

michaelb · December 26, 2009, 09:19:31 PM

Quote from: FD3S Efini;661624i have a spare ignition barrel and other gubbins aswell thats you can have for Â£25 plus postage if you want? problem is i wont be able to send until jan 11th

Kris

Kris

That sounds great; do you mean you have the key to go with it as well? I might take you up on that offer...what exactly do you have?

Regards,
Michaelb

FD3S Efini · December 26, 2009, 09:36:33 PM

Yeah I have the key aswell, the reason I have it spare is because I changed my door locks, its the barrel and the metal around it aswell when I get back to wales I can get you some pics if your willing to wait?

Kris

michaelb · December 26, 2009, 10:23:50 PM

Quote from: FD3S Efini;661631Yeah I have the key aswell, the reason I have it spare is because I changed my door locks, its the barrel and the metal around it aswell when I get back to wales I can get you some pics if your willing to wait?

Kris

OK thatks, I am not sure that I can wait as it is my daily driver...but you never know, Powergains Motorsport my not have one "in stock" and I may have to wait till the 11th...I will let you know I I get on

Regards,
Michaelb

FD3S Efini · December 26, 2009, 10:38:56 PM

Yeah that\'s cool mate I\'ll keep an eye on this thread in case you need it

Kris

ashc · December 26, 2009, 10:49:38 PM

presumably you tried some wd40 or similar?

K1HKS arse · December 26, 2009, 11:09:29 PM

I think i have one with key, will check when i go to workshop tomorrow or Monday.

michaelb · December 27, 2009, 02:20:04 PM

Quote from: ashc;661640presumably you tried some wd40 or similar?

Hello mate

Hope you are well

Yes I have tried Wd40 but this time round the key is not coming out. This morning I tried to unscrew the bottom part of the steering column cover but one of the screws has now lost its tread ...it may have to be a trip to Powergains...

Regards,
Michaelb

michaelb · December 27, 2009, 02:22:25 PM

Quote from: K1HKS arse;661642I think i have one with key, will check when i go to workshop tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks for that mate, will it fit my 96 fd or are they all the same re the ignition / key set up?

Regards,
Michaelb

captainbizzaro · December 27, 2009, 10:30:42 PM

Hello mate, a bit off subject I know but the same thing kept happening on my Discovery and I put it off for ages but in the end once I\'d sourced a barrel and key from a scrap yard it was fairly easy to swap as they are normally on a multipin connector so don\'t be too put off. Good luck!

michaelb · December 28, 2009, 05:00:25 PM

Quote from: captainbizzaro;661771Hello mate, a bit off subject I know but the same thing kept happening on my Discovery and I put it off for ages but in the end once I\'d sourced a barrel and key from a scrap yard it was fairly easy to swap as they are normally on a multipin connector so don\'t be too put off. Good luck!

Thanks for that I have tried to open the steering column but one of the screws has lost its tread...I will try again thou

Regards,
Michaelb