Key Stuck in Ignition

[motorollow]

1990 Manual Transmission, I put the key in and tried to start, but key will not turn and won't come out. Any suggestions??

[Walsted]

PB Blaster, or something similar, sprayed at/into the keyhole, let it sit for five minutes, try again. Be careful, PB Blaster is messy, but usually works for my key/keyhole problems.

[motorollow]

PB Blaster worked a couple of times, but now the key is stuck again (I was trying to turn the key, but it will not turn). What I am going to have to do to fix this?

[channelmaniac]

If the wheels are turned and it's putting pressure on the key switch then you'll have to slightly turn the wheel to release the pressure and get the switch to turn.

It's that anti theft steering wheel lock fun...

RJ

[motorollow]

At the beginning of this problem the wheels were not locked (you could fully turn the wheels both directions since I do not have power steering). Now the wheels are locked and I cannot get the key out no matter how much PB Blaster I spray in the key hole.

[Nails]

Try jacking your car up front and taking the weight off the wheels? Just a guess, never had this problem.

[channelmaniac]

Try pushing in a little on the key when you turn it.

If you get it unlocked, there's a specific place to drill and put a screw in that will keep the lock from engaging. It's something that is REQUIRED on Spec cars.

Here's a pic of the sheet metal screw I installed on mine:

[motorollow]

Can anyone help me with this today? The car is in my garage out of the weather.

Thanks!

[sammm]

There should still be a little bit of play in the steering wheel. Try to turn the wheel (try left and right) and hold it where it stops. Then see if the key will release.

[motorollow]

There should still be a little bit of play in the steering wheel. Try to turn the wheel (try left and right) and hold it where it stops. Then see if the key will release.

The key will not release doing the above. This is not the typical steering wheel lock issue. I believe there is something wrong with the ignition switch.

[POS Racing]

Is it the ignition switch or the tumbler mechanism for the key?

Does it act different when you used your spare key?

My '92 has a similar issue a new key fixed it since my original key was worn out so it wouldn't kick the tumblers correctly.

[motorollow]

Is it the ignition switch or the tumbler mechanism for the key?

Does it act different when you used your spare key?

My '92 has a similar issue a new key fixed it since my original key was worn out so it wouldn't kick the tumblers correctly.

At this point I cannot try a spare key because i cannot get the key I have been using out. I key i have been using has not had any issues before. The only good spare good key I have is the OEM valet key. My other OEM key is cracked in the middle. I tried to get new keys made from the VIN# at Hancock Mazda, but they could not make a key that would work. I need some more ideas on how to get the key out.

[POS Racing]

I tried to get new keys made from the VIN# at Hancock Mazda, but they could not make a key that would work.

Wonder if it had been broken into in its past and was replaced with a different lock tumbler, that would explain why a key couldn't be made for it using the VIN.

You have to pull the steering wheels and a bunch of other fun stuff to remove the lock assembly.

Does someone have the '90 Miata service manual handy??

[motorollow]

I work with the PO which was the original owner and I am pretty confident the locks/keys were never changed.

[creek]

It sounds like one of the tumbler pins has fallen out of the lock. I wouldn't know how to fix it without pulling the steering wheel and replacing the lock. I don't have the correct year model bu maybe this will help.

[black roadster]

This may be a problem for a locksmith. Alternatively, see if you can pull the whole lock assembly and swap it with another. I know you can get whole lock sets from The Parts Source so all the keys will match.

Mine was sticking too at one time but the solution was to get new keys cut from the dealer. We had to wear them down a bit before they worked smoothly though. I think it took two attempts in cutting the keys to get a key that worked.

I had a key stuck during that time but eventually after fiddling with it it finally came out.

Good luck. It is a stressing issue.

[black roadster]

Gary,

Here is what the 1995 Factory Shop Manual has about replacing the ignition lock. Also, I meant The Parts Group.

Edit:

Uploading the image shrunk it down and made it unreadable. I'll try to upload it to another site later. Got to go to work.

[motorollow]

Update: Called Trussville Mazda, and I ordered part # 75-990 (lockset which includes ignition switch and new key coded to car) and 76-201A (spare key). The bad news is it probably won't be here until Jan. 2 or 5. It appears this lockset fits quite a few Mazda cars like the early 90's RX-7 and Protege. I did not want a used lockset.

[Magma]

I have a whole steering column out of an na with the ignition and key if you want to get it to last you till the new one gets there.

[motorollow]

PM sent