Key broke off in ignition

[Jeff K]

Fortunately , I'm in my garage when this happened. It's stuck inside, I can't see it.

Any suggestions how to fix?

Also... I wanted to make a key-less entry for a while. Maybe taking the ignition switch and mounting it in the drivers knee-pad somewhere. Anyone do anything like this? I HATE fumbling for my key. I would put in a kill switch and rely on the doors locking.

My other cars have key-less, my single favorite feature.

Thanks
Jeff

[Ron]

FWIW, I watched a guy pull one out with superglue on the other half....obviously risky, but he was a locksmith ;-)

[adam_knox]

If you decide to do the glue method, you could coat the surrounding area with Vaseline to prevent the glue from spilling over and sticking elsewhere. Otherwise maybe a really strong earth magnet may work...

[dvonk]

a really strong earth magnet may work...

arent most modern keys non-ferrous?

[rddmc]

Sorry to hear about your key. I can't offer help but I am confident others here will be able to offer solutions. I am curious as to whether the key that broke was an origional or a copy.

Rod
10921

[Jeff K]

Sorry to hear about your key. I can't offer help but I am confident others here will be able to offer solutions. I am curious as to whether the key that broke was an origional or a copy.

Rod
10921

The car is a 2006 Texas rebuild, so I guess it's relatively new. Man this sucks!

I would like to replace the keyset part with a blank, just one that I can turn. My Volvo has this feature.

[DMCMW Dave]

arent most modern keys non-ferrous?

Original DMC keys are steel. Replacements are generally brass.

[dvonk]

Original DMC keys are steel. Replacements are generally brass.

excellent, thank you for the information. i am definitely not a 'key expert' by any means. :biggrin:

the neodymium magnet idea could still be a plausible solution...

[Jimmyvonviggle]

excellent, thank you for the information. i am definitely not a 'key expert' by any means. :biggrin:

the neodymium magnet idea could still be a plausible solution...

If half the key still remains in the lock wouldn't the tumblers still be engaged? And if so they would apply enough resistances against a rare earth magnet. I once had a regular key break in a door. As long as the remaining portion is not to deep and you can grab onto it, I have used a combination of tweezers and two blades (in a chopstick like motion).

If all else fails remove the lock itself and you'll probably be able to pull the key from the back.

[dvonk]

If half the key still remains in the lock wouldn't the tumblers still be engaged?

yeah, there would be several variables if one were to attempt the magnet approach...


If all else fails remove the lock itself...

id probably just go for this solution.

[Spittybug]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1gm2Egi01Y

Doesn't look hard with the right tool.

[thirdmanj]

My vote is for the "right tool" method... I'm thinking of picking one up as a just-in-case. Good luck man.

On a side note, when I was having my car redone at DMCFL one of the things replaced was the door locks, and they cut me a new ignition key and door lock key. The door lock key works great, but the ingnition key never has. There are identical as far as I can see, with the exception that the shank-cut goes all the way to the base of the new key, and on the original is doesn't. I'll see if I can get a pic out there.

Anyway sorry about that off topic-ness. I hope this works out for you. With the thread starters permission I'll post pics of the keys, so you guys can see what I'm talking about.

[Jeff K]

I'm probably going to remove the steering column lock assembly and take it to a locksmith.

My friend who help me restore it had a good idea. It never worked good anyway, filing down the tumblers inside, so basically any key will work. I can have a blank in the car, kinda like blank key-fob on my current Volvo.

[Jeff K]

I'm probably going to remove the steering column lock assembly and take it to a locksmith.

My friend who help me restore it had a good idea. It never worked good anyway, filing down the tumblers inside, so basically any key will work. I can have a blank in the car, kinda like blank key-fob on my current Volvo.

How about something like this.. with the push button switches inside the driver knee pad for security?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--qEY9zX2bA

Check this out!

Push-button Start switch!
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Starter-Switch-Blue-Illumination/dp/B004I4SM04/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_1

[nullset]

Toby sells a remote start with Wings Aloft Elite. You still have to use the ignition switch, though it'd be pretty easy to bypass that and just leave the key open.

I've thought about hacking it into a push button start, but I have too many projects and not enough time…..

[jawn101]

Push-button Start switch!


I have an RSX as my DD, and have always wanted this OEM JDM pushbutton starter for it. There's something about the color and font of it that just really "works"

Of course since it's an OEM part, it's ridiculously expensive. Like 6 times as much as the one you found on Amazon :)

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-1408381693991_2198_71826781

[David T]

A simple problem easily solved with a key extractor which any locksmith has and can make. If you can remove the lock and take it to a locksmith it should not cost much for him to remove the broken key. in fact, if you have him cut you a new key he may not even charge you for removal. You need a new key anyway. Bring him a blank.
David Teitelbaum