Do you worry about your Chevy Equinox key stuck in ignition?
We understand how worrisome this can get for you. After all, you want to make sure that you get your key out to prevent any problems.
But what can you do if the key is absolutely stuck? Is the only resort having a locksmith do it for you? Moreover, how much will it cost to get your key unstuck?
We will answer all of these questions – and more – in this post. Let’s jump right into it.
What To Do About Chevy Equinox Key Stuck In Ignition
While this is not a very common issue, it does happen to some people.
Perhaps when you wanted to pull your key out of the ignition, for some reason, you simply cannot get it out. If this is the situation you are in, do not panic – there is a solution that you can try.
First, you may want to try gently twisting and turning your key. Do not apply too much force, since the last thing you want to happen is to have it break and get completely stuck in the ignition.
However, if the key simply would not budge – not even an inch – then there are a few other tricks you can try.
Consider checking the position of the key. On your ignition switch, be sure that your key is not in the lock position. Keep in mind that as your cylinders get older, it becomes much easier for you to turn these at a certain point. Now, if you have the key attached to heavy objects, this tends to put more pressure on your cylinder. As a result, it can wear out easily.
You may also want to consider moving your steering wheel. Simply move your wheel to the front and the back, while at the same time working to pull the key out from the lock place. In some cases, your steering wheel may lock. This is why when this happens, your ignition switch tends to keep the key locked in this steady position. So, the next thing to do is to unlock your steering system.
However, it is very important that you do not pull too hard on your key. The only thing you need to focus on is getting some movement from your steering wheel.
Next up, consider testing your parking position. At times, you won’t be able to lock your car into park position. Yet, if you are capable of moving your gearshift lever right out of the park position even after you have turned the vehicle off, it is possible that you have a worn out linkage, or it may simply be misaligned and require an adjustment.
With that being said, you need to make sure that your shifter is locked into park. By doing so, you should be able to take your key out.
We also recommend checking your battery. Perhaps your battery is dead, and this triggered your dashboard light to turn on while the key was still in the “on” place. With modern cars, having a dead battery tends to prevent you from pulling the key out simply because the chip is not identified correctly with the anti-theft system in your vehicle.
Now, if you have tried all of these checks, and yet without any success in getting your key out, the next step is having a locksmith or a mechanic help you.
But while waiting for the specialist to come, you can try a few additional techniques:
- Use your spare key to lock your vehicle manually
- Be sure that the key stuck in the ignition remains in the lock position. This will help to save your battery
There are certain reasons why your key can get stuck in the ignition. The most common cause is having a worn wheel lock cylinder. Each time your FOB or key is inserted into your wheel lock cylinder, this eventually reduces its lifespan. So, it gets worn each time until the time comes that your key gets stuck.
Next, you may have a dead battery. In most newer vehicles, the key immediately gets stuck in ignition once the battery dies. So unless you get a replacement for your battery or jumpstart the battery, you cannot get your key out.
Loose cables could be another possible cause of the key getting stuck in ignition. The cable may be situated behind your ignition or in the dashboard. The only thing left to do is to have this replaced to prevent further problems.
Also, your vehicle may not be in the park position. Perhaps you have the gear shift level in the park position, yet there is a problem with the shift lock solenoid of your vehicle or other relevant mechanisms. Thus, you will have to replace these damaged components.
Read More: What To Do With A Chevy Wifi Hotspot Not Working
Next Step
Now, if you have tried absolutely everything you could, but without any success in getting your key out, the next thing to do is to contact a locksmith.
A locksmith can help to get your key out of ignition, and this also helps to prevent further damage that may arise if you forcefully try to pull the key out.
The cost of hiring an auto locksmith to get the key out of ignition tends to vary. For instance, in cases of a simple work, it can cost $75. However, there are other instances when the key has completely snapped, which may be a more intensive work that should set you back about $200.
If the key that is stuck also has snapped in your ignition, you may need to get a replacement ignition. This is because the ignition has already been broken. So, if you have a problem with a Chevy Equinox key stuck in ignition, consider contacting an auto locksmith to help you out and get the issue addressed without leading to further issues.