Q: Key won't go back into the ignition

asked by on January 29, 2016

The key for my car was in the ignition. The key was inadvertently pulled out and now won't go back into the ignition.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I manually adjust the side mirrors?
The manually adjusted side mirrors are controlled by levers in the car’s cabin. On the inside of each front door, directly next to the side mirror, is a control level that corresponds to that mirror. Move the control level to...
Coolant leak from behind the idler pulley
It is more likely that something above or behind the idler pulley is leaking coolant and migrating to other areas, like the idler pulley. It can be the water pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/water-pump-replacement), thermostat housing, or seals. The cooling system should be...
Lights on in the dash
The most likely cause of this issue would be a failed wheel speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-speed-sensor-replacement). This sensor usually comes as a unit with the hub assembly on these vehicles and is actually a common problem on many GM vehicles. The...
The durango runs very rough after a loud pop.
This can happen for many reasons, however usually a loud pop or backfire is a sign of a lean fuel condition or an ignition timing problem. A lean fuel condition can be caused by a faulty mass air flow sensor...
My car misfires at light throttle and mid RPM conditions
Without having the specifics on the vehicle and engine type, I can only give you a general direction to take. You may have an EGR system fault. EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation - is designed to prevent knock, ping, and...
Engine vibration even in idle. Check Engine Light is not on.
You're correct, your engine uses a timing chain. It also has variable valve timing (VTT). This system allows the engine timing to change in relation to engine RPM. A VVT fault could cause driveabilty issues both at idle and at...
The codes p0012 and p0015 was shown on the scanner when I had my car checked.
Hi there. The codes P0012 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0012-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-a-timing-over-retarded-bank-1-by-jay-safford) and P0015 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0015-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-b-timing-over-retarded-bank-1-by-jay-safford) are related to the camshaft position sensor. Check the sensor out and make sure that its plugged in. Also, check for power to the sensor. The camshaft sensor keeps the ignition...
Can you pass emissions with a turbocharged car with odb-2 if it did not originally come with a turbocharger?
Can you pass emissions with a newly turbocharged car that has ODB-2 that does not come with a turbocharger from the factory? It is illegal to modify any factory installed emissions system on a motor vehicle. Adding a turbocharger...
False "open rear access door open" msg. And lights aren't coming on inside when rear door really does open? Can this be reset
Hi Jasmine. Thanks for contacting us today. In most cases, this error message is activated when there is a failure of the rear door sensor. Sometimes an exposed electrical wire that is connected to the sensor can cause this to...

Related articles

What Does the Ignition Switch Warning Light Mean?
The ignition switch warning light could mean there's an issue with the ignition system or the car key. It could be due to a glitch or worn out key.
How to Replace an Electronic Ignition Pickup
The electronic ignition pickup is part of the ignition distributor. Signs of failure include intermittent misfiring or failure all at once.
How to Replace Ignition Cables (Spark Plug Wires) in Your Car
The ignition cable, or spark plug wire, carries a signal from your vehicle’s computer to the spark plugs. This is crucial to the ignition system.