Key stuck in ignition

[pnjhop]

The key is stuck in the ignition of my 2001 Boxster. I can still turn it clockwise to start the car, and I can turn it back to the left to turn the engine off, but I cannot remove it. The car senses that the key is in the ignition and the instrument cluster is active so I have to disconnect the battery when I am not driving the car.
Has this been a problem with Boxster’s in the past?

[Deserion]

Is it a manual or a Tip?

[ddruker]

Try turning the steering wheel in both directions while trying to turn the key at the same time... start with pressure on the steering wheel first...

[KevinH1990]

I had this problem. Eventually I was able to remove the key by wiggling the key as I moved the wheel. I replaced the electronic part of the ignition switch assembly and that solved the problem.

[Rob175]

Once in awhile, during cold weather driving I have a slight amount of trouble putting the key INTO the key slot. In my case it has nothing to do with the electric portion of the switch.....instead it's the little "trap door" cover that won't slide to the side when I try to insert the key.

As I said it only occasionally occurs in very cold weather....my guess is that over the 20+ years it's spring is "gunked up" ....but my cleaning and lubrication attempts have so far failed. So, I've just learned to live with it and fortunately 99% of my driving the car is in the warmer summer months because the car gets stored during Chicago's winter months.

LOL, like myself, the "old boy" has a few idiosyncrasies from its "advanced age...LOL

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Once in awhile, during cold weather driving I have a slight amount of trouble putting the key INTO the key slot. In my case it has nothing to do with the electric portion of the switch.....instead it's the little "trap door" cover that won't slide to the side when I try to insert the key.

As I said it only occasionally occurs in very cold weather....my guess is that over the 20+ years it's spring is "gunked up" ....but my cleaning and lubrication attempts have so far failed.

Have you tried graphite powder? Always worked for me.

Just sayin'..........

TO

[Rob175]

Good idea......I did try a lock lube product by the WD company with no noticeable improvement but I'll give the graphite powder a try.