1991 Honda Civic - Can’t get the key out of the ignition

I can’t get the key out of the ignition in my automatic 1991 Honda
Civic Hatchback. Not temperature related. I can turn it to the left
to the I, but not further to the left to the O. When the key is
stuck, the gear shift won’t move out of park and the bong bong noise
won’t stop. If I wiggle the key, toggle the steering wheel, pound on
the dash, etc I can finally get it out. I sprayed some WD40 into the
key hole but that didn’t make a big difference. This doesn’t always
happen, but enough times that I’m worried they key will get completely
stuck and not come out at all. Thanks.

 

WD-40 is not the stuff to use. If lubrication is going to help, use a
silicon based spray and soak the crap out of it.

JT

 

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A locksmith would hose it with GRAPHITE. The best I've seen is called
LockEase and it's hard to find. Small blue aerosol can with a long
attachable nozzle. Do all five locks on your Civic while you're at it.
On a '91 you are way overdue.

You'll have to wipe your keys with a tissue after you 'massage' the
stuff in with the key. You won't know it's the same vehicle.

'Curly'

 

In Canada, Lock Ease is very easy to find.

 

--------------------------------

The major hardwares in Canada seem to push Jig-A-LOo (sp?) but I finally
found LockEase at a real locksmith. Previous can lasted several years
and many vehicles.

'Curly'

 

Does the transmission indicator light indicate "P" when the key is
hard to remove? (I assume the transmission is in P at this point.)

 

Here in Arizona NAPA carries LockEase. I agree - good stuff. Wash the WD-40
out of the lock with brake cleaner before spraying anything else in it,
though, because the remaining WD-40 will turn gummy in a few years and then
nothing will get it out. Lord knows I've tried.

Mike

 

There ya go. That's the most common reason for key non-removal.

The sift lever position switch gums up and won't operate correctly.

 

I bought it at Canadian Tire on Friday.

 

I cleaned the ignition with the brake cleaner and used the LockEase.
The key moves much easier but still gets stuck - now 4 out of 5 times.
When it is stuck, and I turn the key to the right to start the car,
it will turn over. However I still can’t get it out of Park - even
when I use the "Shift Lock Release" next to the automatic gear
shift. It will only release from Park when I’ve managed to get the
key out of the ignition and turn it on again. Sounding like the fix
is getting more and more complicated. At this point, I’d at least like
to sound a little smart when I talk to the Honda mechanic

 

====================================
Look at the TSB about the shift linkage adjustment for the Civic:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/civic/x97-009e.pdf

Yours may need adjustment like my CR-V did. It didn't keep the key, but
gave other problems.

'Curly'

 

This has nothing to do with the ignition switch. It has to do with the
shift lock switch in the center console.

 

Before you do anything else; verify that the "P" light is on when the
shift lever is in P and the key/lever is stuck. If "P" is not lit,
you need a console switch which is located about two feet from the
part you are working on..

 

The "P" light is off. I’m going to the Honda dealer tomorrow.
Thanks to all for the help !

 

NEVER spray lubricants other than graphite based lubricants designed for the
lock. Silicon and other lubricants will gum it up good.

 

Any light machine oil works very well. The lighter the better.

Graphite is a poor choice for automotive locks. Great for indoor locks,
though.

 

Hmmmm, I've been using sillycone for years and have never had anything
"gum" up. Motor oil, maybe but who would use *that*?

<shrug>

JT

 

liquid lubes will attract and hold dirt and what gets worn off your key.
Dry graphite does not attract or hold such crud.

 

=========================================

Don't you laugh when you see a car with a trail of motor oil running
down the side of the door? ?

The dirt sticks on and you can see it a mile away :-(

'Curly'

 

What is it with guys? I went to the dealer and, after they couldn’t
get the key out of the ignition, told them, "I went on the Internet
and want you to pull the console and check the shift lever position
switch.

Well, no way were they going to do that.

So I wimped out and they had it for 2 days and couldn’t figure out
what was wrong. After hearing the 2nd day’s list of excuses, I went
in to stand on the service manager’s deak and complain.

On day 4 they call and say, "Our lead mechanic checked under the
console. You must have spilled a lot of Cokes on it, because the
shift lever position switch is your problem."

Well - DUH ! This cost me 6 days and $232