Key won't turn in 96 Honda Accord

Hi,
I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
Please help!
--Andy

wrote in news:1156554740.427993.199720
@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

> Hi,
> I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
> to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
> whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
> even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
> right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
> Please help!
> --Andy
>
>


Wiggle the steering wheel.



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

The steering wheel's not locked, and believe me, plenty of wiggling has
done no good.


TeGGeR® wrote:
> wrote in news:1156554740.427993.199720
> @m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:
>
> > Hi,
> > I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
> > to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
> > whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
> > even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
> > right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
> > Please help!
> > --Andy
> >
> >
>
>
> Wiggle the steering wheel.
>
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

> wrote in message
oups.com...
The steering wheel's not locked, and believe me, plenty of wiggling has
done no good.


TeGGeR® wrote:
> wrote in news:1156554740.427993.199720
> @m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:
>
> > Hi,
> > I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
> > to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
> > whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
> > even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
> > right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
> > Please help!
> > --Andy
> >
> >
>
>
> Wiggle the steering wheel.
>
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Have you tried a spare key or graphite in the keyhole?

-Dave

wrote:

> Hi,
> I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
> to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
> whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
> even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
> right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
> Please help!
> --Andy

Perhaps the key is worn? Have you tried the valet key or spare master key?

High Tech Misfit wrote:
> wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> > I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
> > to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
> > whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
> > even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
> > right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
> > Please help!
> > --Andy
>
> Perhaps the key is worn? Have you tried the valet key or spare master key?

Tried the spare key but same thing. Just got back from walking all the
way to the hardware store to buy some graphite. Still no luck. My
buddy thinks one of the pins in the lock mechanism has lost its spring,
so the key won't be able to turn anymore. Any other ideas?

wrote:
> High Tech Misfit wrote:
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>> I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
>>> to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
>>> whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
>>> even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
>>> right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
>>> Please help!
>>> --Andy
>> Perhaps the key is worn? Have you tried the valet key or spare master key?
>
> Tried the spare key but same thing. Just got back from walking all the
> way to the hardware store to buy some graphite. Still no luck. My
> buddy thinks one of the pins in the lock mechanism has lost its spring,
> so the key won't be able to turn anymore. Any other ideas?
>

Push the key all the way into the slot then pull it out just a hair.
This worked for me on my 1984 Honda Accord.

wrote:
>
> High Tech Misfit wrote:
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Hi,
> > > I got in my car and tried to turn the key in the ignition but it seems
> > > to be jammed. After considerable time trying to wiggle it, force it,
> > > whatever, still no luck. This has never happened before. It won't
> > > even turn to the I position. Any ideas? It seems like some mechanism
> > > right inside the ignition in the steering column won't let it turn.
> > > Please help!
> > > --Andy
> >
> > Perhaps the key is worn? Have you tried the valet key or spare master key?
>
> Tried the spare key but same thing. Just got back from walking all the
> way to the hardware store to buy some graphite. Still no luck. My
> buddy thinks one of the pins in the lock mechanism has lost its spring,
> so the key won't be able to turn anymore. Any other ideas?

----------------------------

If it's powdered graphite, it won't help. If you got Lock-ease or the
one with the funny name (Jigaloo?) you can feel free to HOSE the inside
and then massage the key around and around. There's no danger of the
spray getting into the ignition switch. Putting lots of spray in will
displace any other stuff that may be in there from a previous owner.

Did you try putting another key in the release slot (per the manual) and
move the shifter to NEUTRAL, etc, to see if it helps free up the lock?

'Curly'