Key won't come out (newbie)

[Number Seven]

Hi

I've just collected my new (to me) 1.4 K Series Classic from Caterham this weekend (one of their Select Cars) It is a 2013 car.

It has both an immobilizer (activated and de-activated on a plip) and push button start (not sure this is relevant)a

The problem I am having is when I stop the car and turn the ignition off (getting petrol or arriving home) the ignition key refuses to come out of the ignition barrel - no amount of pushing in, twisting, pulling helps. I've tried moving the key (like a safe breaker) in small increments but no use.

Weird thing is, after a few minutes it will slide out as if it was previously locked inside but now free (like a washing machine door)

Given the car has a years warranty is this something I should be getting Caterham to sort or is it pilot error and there is a knack?

Tony

[Gnockoff]

Quite often when you turn off the key it goes into what may be the accessories position not 'off', but in any case I would advise taking back to Caterham, after all that's what the warranty is for. 

 

Brian

[Number Seven]

Hi Brian

 

I have tried it in every position available and it refuses to come out initially.

It goes in easy enough and turns freely. I was given two keys and I have tried both with the same result

 

I find it really strange that after a while the key will come out without difficulty but this can range from a minute to a few minutes which is quite frustrating

 

Tony

[Jonathan Kay]

Is it a steering column lock?

Any suspicion of friction or not quite getting to the right position?

It needs to go back. But while you're waiting for that I'd try:

• A gentle transverse clout to the lock when it happens.
• Some lubricant in the keyhole and on the key, either silicone or graphite, followed by twiddling the key.

Jonathan

[SM25T]

Sounds like a steering lock issue ? If this is the case, does turning the steering wheel a little release the key .... this is what I recall from tintops that had this feature. If not .... return to seller !

[Number Seven]

Thanks Jonathan

 

I am happy to try all of your ideas - I was thinking some lube might help.

Ive not contorted myself with a torch to do the pot holing required to examine the barrel but will when I have a few minutes

What makes me scratch my head (a lot) is that after a while it comes out as if on oiled roller bearings ha ha, trouble is I can't sit around waiting until it decides to share the ignition key with me (like my dog with a sock)

 

Tony

[Jonathan Kay]

... but is it a steering column lock?

:-)

Jonathan

[Number Seven]

I'm not aware it has a steering lock !! That was certainly not a 'feature' demonstrated at handover. (Is that likely? do others have a streeing lock on their Sevens?) I will have a play

[Jonathan Kay]

Mine did until I changed the upper column.

If it does then I'd try the same as SM25T: ease the wheel a bit each way when it's jammed and see if it helps.

Jonathan

[Number Seven]

It is bolted to the steering column on a bracket with two sturdy pinch bolts. The barrel runs parallel to the steering column and has a black rubber cap at the end

[Jonathan Kay]

I think it still depends on the upper column. Can you turn the wheels fully when the key is (finally) out?

Jonathan

[DJ.]

I had exactly this problem with mine after a couple of years.

I dismantled the ignition switch and steering lock mechanism completely and it turned out to be the lock barrel.

It was made quite poorly, and the springs were pushing the key off centre rather than moving the locking tabs completely into the barrel. Once I'd seen the problem, I found just applying slight pressure to the key allowed it to turn easily. This explained how sometimes it was fine and others I just couldn't remove the key.

Rather than buy a new barrel and key, I managed to make a small piece of brass and rivet it into the barrel so the tip of the key was forced to stay central against the spring pressure. It has worked perfectly since.

As yours is under warranty, take it back and make sure you get a new lock barrel

Duncan

[Number Seven]

Thanks Duncan

 

I will contact Caterham tomorrow it's good to know it's not just me  - as my car is a couple of years old this would seem to fit with your own experience

 

I will see what they say

 

Tony

[colindavies56]

rub a pencil both sides of the key.cheapest graphite lube out there. .

[pugwash]

Mine is of a similar era and can "grab" occasionally (has always done it from new).  I just put it down to the angle the barrel sits at.  I find if I push the key in slightly as I am switching off it just pops out.

 

 

[revilla]

May be a bit of a long shot, but a possible explanation for the "time delay" effect ...

Does you car have a heater? If so, it will be blowing hot air pretty much straight around the ignition lock. Something possibly expands and sticks, frees up again when it cools down and contracts?

[Number Seven]

Great idea :-) Thanks

[Number Seven]

Hi

 

Yes it has a heater which might better be described as an open grill :-)

 

May well be heating the barrel which once cooler frees the grab factor

 

Thanks

 

Tony

[Go4it1011]

Had exactly the same problem when I first got my car. Could never get the bloody key out and felt like a real plonker every time I stopped the car. I don't know how but over a couple of weeks I seemed to have found a way of pushing and twisting and it comes out every time now. 

[DJ.]

Mine was exactly the same, if you could get the key at just the right angle it was fine. Now I have modified it, anyone could remove it easily. I investigated as I was planning a trip to Scotland and didn't want to get stranded.