Help! Key stuck!

[Q45Viper]

Well this is a new one...used the key in the drivers door, turning it counterclockwise to lock all doors, the dang thing is stuck about halfway between the lock position and straight up and down. I did turn the key to the lock position while the drivers side rear door was open, I don't think I've ever done that bfore. I can use my spare key to operate the lock on the passenger door to lock and unlock all four doors and I can reach across from the passenger side and use the power door lock button on the inside of the drivers door to unlock all four doors, when I do this the locking system chatters a little for a few seconds but then unlocks. The key will not turn either way and it will NOT come out. Ironically I just had the dealer install a door handle assembly a few months back as my lifting part of the handle snapped in two, but it was a used replacement, not new, off a parts car they had. This is a 92 Q. Any suggestions?? :help

[Altiman94]

the same thing happened to me in my 240sx, except the key was stuck in the ignition. I just took the ignition out and got my key out that way, then i wd-40'd the ignition and havent seen any problems since.

[Jeff Williams]

I would definitely try the silicone spray method.

I used to put graphite in all my car key slots, back in the old days.

Now, I hardly ever use my key, in the doors.

[Q45Viper]

I got lucky after the drive home I jiggled it again and it came out. If I had not had the valet key in my wallet I would have been screwed. 13 years of that habit and I finally needed it! I then took the advice offered and FILLED that lock cylinder with WD40, it took about 7-8 seconds to fill it up, I then inserted the key and worked the mechanism back and forth about 20 times and sprayed again. Wow! My door locks are no longer hanging up! What I thought was a bad relay was probably a little grit or rust in the mechanism causing the locks to chatter and pop open again. And the locking mechanism works sooo smooth. I've always had the car serviced by the dealer on the regular schedule, I just assumed after watching them grease all the hinges and stuff everywhere that this had been done. AND I had complained about the locks popping open when it was under warranty. "Cannot duplicate" they said. I'm gonna do the passenger door tonight. Interesting also that there must be a drain involved somewhere as all the WD40 ran out at the bottom rear of the door, that probably helped clear the drain also.

[Altiman94]

good to hear you got it fixed. WD-40 and RTV sealant are a neccessity for an DIY'er.