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MG MGB Technical - key stuck in ignition

I just got this care yesterday- after the guy left I could not get the key out of th ignition? Any ideas?
SL Luedtke

Some locks have a small button that has to be pressed while turning the key to off, before it will come out.
Chris at Octarine Services

Sometimes on my Japanese car the key gets stuck if the steering wheel is in an odd position. Turning the wheel a little releases it. Don't know if that happens with MGs though!
Simon Jansen

I used to get this occasionally on my '73 car. Sometimes the key might stick, other times it might not lock in even when the engine's running. It seems to be due to sticking pins in the lock barrel. I actually managed to cure it by accident when the key got stuck in and I had to stall the engine to stop it by giving the end of the key a sharp tap along its length with a small hammer. Before you do that though, don't forget you have to push the key inwards slightly as your turn it the last 'notch' anti-clockwise (i.e. off).

I've had the same fault occur on two of my Bs now, one a '72 the other a '73 - both having the earlier type (71-74) steering column lock. It's worthwhile pushing a bit of grease down into the lock barrel - watch out for getting grease on your clothes afterwards though, keep a tissue handy! Don't use thin maintenance oil as this can seep down into the switch and cause a short with the risk of fire.
Mike

As a Locksmith, putting grease in the cylinder is not a good idea as it collects all dirt which can cause its own problems.

As Mike say a light oil can cause a short, unless you take the switch off the cylinder (disconnect the battery) then you can use a small amount of WD40 if it seeps you will see it, so simple dry excess and fit switch back on.
K Harris

Good point on the grease Ken. It's actually quite easy to remove the switch, it's only held in with a small single screw, no need to disconnect any wires from the switch itself.
Mike

Hi,

To free up locks, in general, use graphite powder, or silicon or teflon sprays. I bought a puffer bottle of graphite powder about 30 years ago and it is still going strong.

Never use grease or oil, it will have grit and stuff stick to it and cause more problems than it solves.

Herb
Herb Adler

When not with the button, and being on the column, it can be quite a convoluted series of twists, push, another twist and then a pull to get them out. And even then I've had a recut ket jam. Presumably you know you you got it from, ask them.

Never heard of oil causing shorts directly.
Paul Hunt 2010

This thread was discussed between 17/04/2010 and 18/04/2010

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