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Triumph TR6 - Broken key in ignition!

If it isn't one thing.... My 15 year old son has a couple of buddies over who were admiring the 71 TR6 with the freshly rebuilt motor. I went to start it up for them and the key broke off with about 2/3's of it buried in the ignition. The good news is that it didn't break off yesterday when I was out driving it around.

Is there an easy way to get it out? Or a hard way?

Thanks, John
JL Bryan

JL,
My dad did this once with a dune buggy he owned. He was driving it through the woods when he hit a bump and his knee flew over and snapped the key off in the igition. It was still running so he drove it home and used a magnetic to remove the piece still in the ignition. Hope this helps.

Jim K.
J.P. tr6man

If all else a locksmith should be able to
remove it in no time.
Cheers Malcolm
Malcolm

I've never seen the following done but I have heard of the idea. I'd only consider it as an 'If all else fails...'

Take a brazing rod in the jaws of a jumper cable and attach the other end to the positive battery terminal. Tap the broken end of the key and quickly disconnect from power. (Second person?) Some author, somewhere, proposed this.

I used to read Smokey Yunick's column in Popular Science every month, so I'm going to attribute this to that crazy guy who knew how to make any automobile go fast.

Charlie
EC Smith

Had a similar problem. Locksmith charged $5. US to remove the guts and install new.
Todd

The magnet didn't work--the key must be aluminum or something because the stub that I have isn't affected by the magnet.

Sounds like a locksmith.

John
JL Bryan

I'd guess it's brass. So you could maybe get a blob of solder to stick to it. You'll have to have a highwatt iron and some flux.
Tom

Hello,

Dependable Auto Shippers delivered my TR-6 like this. Somewhere in between Minnesota and DC, the key became broke off in the switch. I belive this may be a form of LBC hate crime?

I just found this forum, looks like a good resource for knowledge, this being my first restoration project, I'm proably going to need all the advice I can get.

I'll try some of the methods mentioned here in an attempt to extricate the key remainder from the switch.

Cheers!

Matthew Benjamin
74 TR6 - http://tr6project.blogspot.com
Matthew Benjamin

Hi Matthew,

Welcome to the forum. You are right this forum is full of great information. I've only owned my TR-6 for about 8 months and I have learned a lot from the group in this short time.

Make sure to check out the archives.

First thing people here will want to know is what is the Commission # of your car?

Good luck with your project and keep us updated via your Blog.

Sylvain
S Demers

John:

Had the same thing happen to me. Can you see any of the key? I ended up spraying some silicone spray in there, and fabricated a tool out of a long needle by bending the end just slightly to form a very mild hook. Could get just enough leverage against the side of the key to gradually work it out. The money is not the issue with the locksmith, it's the PITA taking the ignition switch out. Good luck.

Jim
Jim Vandenberg

I like John V's idea with the silly spray and the hook needle. At work we use (if we can abscond/obtain it) "silicroil" ...comes in an orange can. When it comes to things not sticking it is King. You could spray some in the key hole and turn the whole car upside-down and shake it a little...well, hold off on that last bit...
Chris
c.a.e. emenhiser

How about a high power vacuum?
Paddy Kan

Matthew,
nice car, don't ripe up the car until the winter. drive it now!
Paddy
'74 sapphire blue
Paddy Kan

The lock smith failed in his attempt to remove it. Apparently my inept attempts to remove the stub of the key simply served to jam it firmly in place. At least he didn't charge me for a service call!

Clive is going to try to figure out another way to get at it. The problem with replacing the whole mechanism appears to be that the steering wheel lock mechanism is integral to the ignition switch. To get at it, the manual says you have to get behind and above it by removing the tach and the speedo, and then there are a couple of shear bolts you have to deal with. Why can't it be easy?

Its always something!

John
JL Bryan

The trick with the needle sounds like it should work, I'll have a go at it this weekend. I do have a damage claim in w/ the shipping company so I'll see what they want to do for me before taking it to a locksmith.

It'll be on the road shortly, once I get the electrical issues sorted and install an interior kit.

My commision number is CF17322 U, trim number is 11. What does this tell about the car?

-Matt
MTB Benjamin

Hey John
Will send the goose back down. He will rip it out for ya!

Matt, Welcome to the TR6 BBS. For more reading, go to the ARCHIVES...a few years of chatter on this BBS.

So who can send MATT a CD...sounds like he would be interested in one.

Hey Doug Baker...did you notice ...@saic.com?
Rick C '71
Rick Crawford

Rick,
Just logged in and noted Matt's address. No matter...I left SAIC at the end of March to take a new position with CSC.

John, Matt, y'all's keys likely broke because they are not original. The orginal key was hardened STEEL and a hellvu nut to cut if you're trying to replace it with an original blank. Locksmith would require you to bond a blade on their key cutter anticipating wearing one out just to cut the key. Aluminum or soft steel blanks are routinely available and that may be what you have. Somewhere...I probably put the info on CD I, there is a source for original blanks and if you have the key #, maybe a replacement key. Think about that when you get the broken key out!!
db
Doug Baker

John,

Not to overlook the obvious, but did you try a pair of tweezers with a little stick 'em on 'em? Probably thought of by the locksmith, but just want to make sure. Depending on how deep in the key is, you could get a feeler gauge on each side of the key provided there is something like tacky spray adhesive of them to give the friction you'd need. I don't know... just a thought.

Don from Jersey
Don from Jersey

Doug- My bro works for CSC in Va. somewhere.
Don
DON KELLY

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2006 and 19/05/2006

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