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Spare ignition key jammed in ignition

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  • 16-01-2019 9:50am
    #1
    Foggy Jew
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭


    I bought an Opel Agila (2011) last September - not from a main Opel dealer, but a well known Hyundai dealer. My daughter accidentally went off with my keys on Saturday, so I used the spare given to me when I bought the car. I turned on the engine and the car coughed a bit but wouldn't start (it was as if the immobiliser had kicked in). I atempted to extract the key but it is jammed solid at the second stage of the ignition ...i.e. The radio is on etc. I called my breakdown assist man who was unable to dislodge the key. He towed the car to my local mechanic, who was also unable to budge it. I also consulted a locksmith who said he wouldn't even attempt to fiddle with it for fear of damaging the ignition. I can start the car by holding the original key up against the dodgy stuck one and off I go. Its far from ideal though - leaving a key in the ignition is asking for the car to be broken into. Any suggestions? Also - the car is still under warranty - could I (should I) bring it back to the dealer and request that they sort it out?

    It's the bally ballyness of it that makes it all seem so bally bally.



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    #2
    JustJoe7240
    Registered Users Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭JustJoe7240


    Foggy Jew wrote: »
    I bought an Opel Agila (2011) last September - not from a main Opel dealer, but a well known Hyundai dealer. My daughter accidentally went off with my keys on Saturday, so I used the spare given to me when I bought the car. I turned on the engine and the car coughed a bit but wouldn't start (it was as if the immobiliser had kicked in). I atempted to extract the key but it is jammed solid at the second stage of the ignition ...i.e. The radio is on etc. I called my breakdown assist man who was unable to dislodge the key. He towed the car to my local mechanic, who was also unable to budge it. I also consulted a locksmith who said he wouldn't even attempt to fiddle with it for fear of damaging the ignition. I can start the car by holding the original key up against the dodgy stuck one and off I go. Its far from ideal though - leaving a key in the ignition is asking for the car to be broken into. Any suggestions? Also - the car is still under warranty - could I (should I) bring it back to the dealer and request that they sort it out?
    It's unlikely that the warranty will cover this as a warranty on a used car usually only covers engine and gearbox unless otherwise specified. Well worth a shot though if it saves the cost of a new ignition barrel and keys as it looks that's the most likely outcome otherwise.


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    #3
    Foggy Jew
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Foggy Jew


    Hmmm. My contention is that the car would be laughed out of an NCT test as it is - so it's technically not fit for purpose. Clutching at straws, I know.

    It's the bally ballyness of it that makes it all seem so bally bally.



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    #4
    corks finest
    Registered Users Posts: 8,628 ✭✭✭corks finest


    Foggy Jew wrote: »
    I bought an Opel Agila (2011) last September - not from a main Opel dealer, but a well known Hyundai dealer. My daughter accidentally went off with my keys on Saturday, so I used the spare given to me when I bought the car. I turned on the engine and the car coughed a bit but wouldn't start (it was as if the immobiliser had kicked in). I atempted to extract the key but it is jammed solid at the second stage of the ignition ...i.e. The radio is on etc. I called my breakdown assist man who was unable to dislodge the key. He towed the car to my local mechanic, who was also unable to budge it. I also consulted a locksmith who said he wouldn't even attempt to fiddle with it for fear of damaging the ignition. I can start the car by holding the original key up against the dodgy stuck one and off I go. Its far from ideal though - leaving a key in the ignition is asking for the car to be broken into. Any suggestions? Also - the car is still under warranty - could I (should I) bring it back to the dealer and request that they sort it out?
    WD40,rubber hammer,pliers,,,,prayers first


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    #5
    Spook_ie
    Registered Users Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Assuming you've done the usual of wiggling the steering wheel while turning the key to ensure steering lock isn't staying engaged then sounds like......

    https://www.theautolocksmith.co.uk/key-wont-turn-in-vauxhall-ignition-lock

    Ultimately looks like a visit to a lock specialist or dealer


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    #6
    Foggy Jew
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Foggy Jew


    Interesting, Spook. Thanks for that.

    It's the bally ballyness of it that makes it all seem so bally bally.



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    #7
    Ubbquittious
    Registered Users Posts: 6,177 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    I wonder what R.Kelly would have to say about this


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    #8
    corks finest
    Registered Users Posts: 8,628 ✭✭✭corks finest


    Pls keep us informed,how it was sorted etc, definitely happen again to some other unfortunate soul


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    #9
    Foggy Jew
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Foggy Jew


    Will do!

    It's the bally ballyness of it that makes it all seem so bally bally.



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    #10
    Melodeon
    Registered Users Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭Melodeon


    Long shot:
    Is the car an automatic, by any chance?
    Most (all?) automatics have an interlock that won't let you remove the key unless the transmission is in P (Park).
    A fault in this system could give the symptoms you're describing.

    I think :D


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    #11
    redcup342
    Registered Users Posts: 1,387 ✭✭✭redcup342


    Melodeon wrote: »
    Long shot:
    Is the car an automatic, by any chance?
    Most (all?) automatics have an interlock that won't let you remove the key unless the transmission is in P (Park).
    A fault in this system could give the symptoms you're describing.

    I think :D

    I don't think you can start those unless they are in Park as well no ?


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    #12
    Melodeon
    Registered Users Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭Melodeon


    redcup342 wrote: »
    I don't think you can start those unless they are in Park as well no ?

    I think most can be started in Neutral too, though I'm open to correction on that one.


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    #13
    corks finest
    Registered Users Posts: 8,628 ✭✭✭corks finest


    Melodeon wrote: »
    Long shot:
    Is the car an automatic, by any chance?
    Most (all?) automatics have an interlock that won't let you remove the key unless the transmission is in P (Park).
    A fault in this system could give the symptoms you're describing.

    I think :D
    Good thinking


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    #14
    Foggy Jew
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Foggy Jew


    Nope. The car is manual. I took it back to the garage yesterday - it was diagnosed as needing a new ignition barrel. My warranty covers all of it, including the courtesy car they gave me. I'm both delighted and relieved in equal measure!!

    It's the bally ballyness of it that makes it all seem so bally bally.



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    #15
    corks finest
    Registered Users Posts: 8,628 ✭✭✭corks finest


    Foggy Jew wrote: »
    Nope. The car is manual. I took it back to the garage yesterday - it was diagnosed as needing a new ignition barrel. My warranty covers all of it, including the courtesy car they gave me. I'm both delighted and relieved in equal measure!!
    Happy days


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    #16
    highgiant1985
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭highgiant1985


    Foggy Jew wrote: »
    Nope. The car is manual. I took it back to the garage yesterday - it was diagnosed as needing a new ignition barrel. My warranty covers all of it, including the courtesy car they gave me. I'm both delighted and relieved in equal measure!!

    That's good service. I know plenty of places that would have said no chance on the warranty. Glad to see its worked out for you.


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    #17
    JustJoe7240
    Registered Users Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭JustJoe7240


    Foggy Jew wrote: »
    Nope. The car is manual. I took it back to the garage yesterday - it was diagnosed as needing a new ignition barrel. My warranty covers all of it, including the courtesy car they gave me. I'm both delighted and relieved in equal measure!!

    Fantastic result. Sound's like you were dealing with a very decent garage.


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