Q45 Key stuck in the ignition

[Jberger]

Crap. My original Q Key is stuck in the ignition, the mechanism works fine for starting, turning off, etc, But I cannot get the key out. Even the key release appears to work, the button moves and there is an audible click, but no key removal.

I'm not exactly sure what happend, I left the car with the Valet at the airport on Friday and he could not get it out. I thought he just didn't know how to do it, but yes, indeed, the key is stuck.

On a positive note, the car did spend the last few days locked up in a nice 1 bay garage all by itself.

Any ideas?

1990 Q45

[Mayhem_J30]

can you turn the steering wheel either direction until it clicks. try moving it to the left and holding it and pulling out the key then try to the right.

[aaacomp]

Take the two halfs off column..Inspecting igntion switch you'll find a small red lever move it to the opposite position take key out:D

[Mayhem_J30]

Take the two halfs off column..Inspecting igntion switch you'll find a small red lever move it to the opposite position take key out:D

done this before eh?

[aaacomp]

Had several keys stuck and was told a enormous $$$ to fix... So, I took it apart and found the cure .Almost, dropped when the key came out .. Used alot of graphite on it and never had that problem again.

[Jberger]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I finally managed to get the key loose, unfortunately, the red level trick did not work. But once I removed the covers, a few judiciously applied mallet taps freed the stuck key. No Air Bag Deployment to speak of

Appearently, it was a lot of metal filings inside the assembly which caused the jam. The lock button and red level were functioning as expected but the center post was just not retracting as needed to free the key.

I'm not sure it helped, but I used gun solvent to clean the mechanism, then a teflon based lubricant to re-oil the lock. Because of the metal filing problem I decided against graphite for the near future.

Thanks Again, and remember, a little hammer never hurt. . .

[aaacomp]

I've got a whole drawer full of mallets, hammers, and other persuasive tools..

[Q451990]

Speaking of removing the switch halves... are the sheer bolts available separately? You have to drill out the retainer bolts to remove the halves....

Heath

[rajesh_me36]

can you turn the steering wheel either direction until it clicks. try moving it to the left and holding it and pulling out the key then try to the right.

this really worked great for me thank you mayhem.

[float_6969]

Thank YOU for searching, and welcome to NICO!!!