Key won’t always go into ignition

Ravinder · 26th April 2019, 14:37

Every several months, I have this strange issue of getting the key to fit into ignition.

Sometimes, it just doesn’t want to go in like it’s currently doing and I have to keep trying to force it in. It happened early last year for a couple of months then it was fine and now it’s doing it again. Any ideas?

suzublu · 26th April 2019, 14:43

File the flat part a bit & rub with a pencil

p2roverman · 26th April 2019, 17:05

I had the same problem. A very light touch of WD40 on the opening cured it.

Mickyboy · 26th April 2019, 17:50

You could use a lead pencil to line the keyway on the key as that lubricates it so to speak and makes it easier for it to go into the ignition barrel

Mick

Ravinder · 26th April 2019, 18:06

Thanks guys. Will give that a go.

roverbarmy · 26th April 2019, 18:53

Some of this
is always handy to have around the car/house. Take care as it is graphite and can be messy. A drop of lighter fluid cleans it off.

COLVERT · 27th April 2019, 21:22

It's also possible to get a fine oil spray can with graphite in it. Has better penetrating power than just graphite.

RoverP480 · 28th April 2019, 08:17

I would take the barrel out and give it a good clean , much better than spraying stuff down into it. If I remember correctly, its not too difficult . Lower the column ,Take off the two halves of the shroud, disconnect the immobilizer connector to its coil, prize off the coil from the barrel with a couple of screwdrivers one each side. Insert the key , turn to position one and push a thin stiff wire down the small hole revealed near the bottom by the key. This will release the barrel which can be withdrawn together with its key. Assembly is the Reverse , it will click in , no need for the wire but key will need to be in position one when barrel inserted.
I did this on mine when the lock stopped engaging with the column . Eventually I had to get a new barrel made up. Ordered from Xpart dealer , built to VIN so I didn't need new keys.

chicochapman · 9th May 2019, 18:52

I found that putting the steering wheel on to "lock" enabled the key to be inserted correctly.
I also found that if you have two car keys on the same key-ring, it helps to make sure you're using the right one!

26th April 2019, 14:37	#1
Ravinder This is my second home Rover 75 saloon x2, Rover 75 Tourer x2, Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 9,036 Thanks: 2,278 Thanked 2,852 Times in 1,718 Posts	Key won’t always go into ignition Every several months, I have this strange issue of getting the key to fit into ignition. Sometimes, it just doesn’t want to go in like it’s currently doing and I have to keep trying to force it in. It happened early last year for a couple of months then it was fine and now it’s doing it again. Any ideas? __________________ Wanted - Indian bride. Cash waiting. (All sorted - bargain) First name and forum name: Ravinder Rover 75 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE 116 (160 remap) Royal Blue (JFM) This vehicle was the 50,481st 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,238th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,775 This vehicle was the 5,002nd 75 in Royal Blue (code: JFM) to be made out of 14,420 Royal Blue 75s

26th April 2019, 17:50	#4
Mickyboy SERVICING AND DEALER DIAGNOSTICS MG ZT CDTI 135 + & MGZT CDTI AUTO 160 & ROVER 75 TOURER CDTI 160 TROPHY YELLOW Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hernebay Posts: 4,331 Thanks: 818 Thanked 2,414 Times in 1,141 Posts	You could use a lead pencil to line the keyway on the key as that lubricates it so to speak and makes it easier for it to go into the ignition barrel Mick __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] T4 Owner Jobs done : new UBP, Spy hole mod, Rear hub(wheel bearing),plenum cleaned and emptied, Inline thermostat fitted,Full service, In car Digital tv/DVD Bluetooth Satnav etc, Replaced UBP, Restored headlights,Fixed airbag connection.replaced HP pump,replaced rear light seals,changed intercooler O rings. Jobs to do: ,replace drivers lock,.[/SIZE]

26th April 2019, 18:06	#5
Ravinder This is my second home Rover 75 saloon x2, Rover 75 Tourer x2, Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 9,036 Thanks: 2,278 Thanked 2,852 Times in 1,718 Posts	Thanks guys. Will give that a go. __________________ Wanted - Indian bride. Cash waiting. (All sorted - bargain) First name and forum name: Ravinder Rover 75 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE 116 (160 remap) Royal Blue (JFM) This vehicle was the 50,481st 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,238th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,775 This vehicle was the 5,002nd 75 in Royal Blue (code: JFM) to be made out of 14,420 Royal Blue 75s

26th April 2019, 18:53	#6
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Some of this is always handy to have around the car/house. Take care as it is graphite and can be messy. A drop of lighter fluid cleans it off. __________________ Oil in my veins!

28th April 2019, 08:17	#8
RoverP480 Gets stuck in None at the moment Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hereford Posts: 501 Thanks: 1 Thanked 165 Times in 146 Posts	I would take the barrel out and give it a good clean , much better than spraying stuff down into it. If I remember correctly, its not too difficult . Lower the column ,Take off the two halves of the shroud, disconnect the immobilizer connector to its coil, prize off the coil from the barrel with a couple of screwdrivers one each side. Insert the key , turn to position one and push a thin stiff wire down the small hole revealed near the bottom by the key. This will release the barrel which can be withdrawn together with its key. Assembly is the Reverse , it will click in , no need for the wire but key will need to be in position one when barrel inserted. I did this on mine when the lock stopped engaging with the column . Eventually I had to get a new barrel made up. Ordered from Xpart dealer , built to VIN so I didn't need new keys. Last edited by RoverP480; 28th April 2019 at 08:20..

26th April 2019, 14:43	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	File the flat part a bit & rub with a pencil

26th April 2019, 17:05	#3
p2roverman Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connie Tourer & Connie SE Saloon & Club SE Tourer Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Leeds Posts: 974 Thanks: 199 Thanked 71 Times in 59 Posts	I had the same problem. A very light touch of WD40 on the opening cured it.

27th April 2019, 21:22	#7
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	It's also possible to get a fine oil spray can with graphite in it. Has better penetrating power than just graphite.

9th May 2019, 18:52	#9
chicochapman Avid contributor MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Stockport Posts: 134 Thanks: 56 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	I found that putting the steering wheel on to "lock" enabled the key to be inserted correctly. I also found that if you have two car keys on the same key-ring, it helps to make sure you're using the right one!