I have a ridiculous problem

**maxbet** · 06-16-2013, 02:53 AM

SO...
2006 Aveo
My wife snapped the tip of the key off in the ignition, the steering wheel is locked in place and the car won't start.

A locksmith came and tried to get the key piece out with tweezers but couldn't. He then made a new key and tried to hammer it into the ignition. Nothing worked, and I suspect him of being some kind of moron.

Anyway... What do I do?!?! I now have no car because a tiny piece of a key is stuck in the ignition! Any ideas? I don't have alot of money.

Please HELP MEEEEEEEE

Thanks,

Wes

**Thymeclock** · 06-16-2013, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by maxbet

SO...
2006 Aveo
My wife snapped the tip of the key off in the ignition, the steering wheel is locked in place and the car won't start.

A locksmith came and tried to get the key piece out with tweezers but couldn't. He then made a new key and tried to hammer it into the ignition. Nothing worked, and I suspect him of being some kind of moron.

Anyway... What do I do?!?! I now have no car because a tiny piece of a key is stuck in the ignition! Any ideas? I don't have alot of money.

Please HELP MEEEEEEEE

Thanks,

Wes

It's time to hire a real locksmith instead of a moron.

**festersays** · 06-16-2013, 05:26 AM

Put the other half of the key in. xD

**2010AveoLT** · 06-16-2013, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by festersays

Put the other half of the key in. xD

you may be onto something, because you can remove the lock cylinder if you push a Detent spring down while turning the old key to ACC; you'll be able to remove the remains of the key with ease, and be able to use your new key to put it all back together.

**maxbet** · 06-16-2013, 04:35 PM

Unfortunately the ignition won't turn with the old or new key. I was just looking into new lock cylinders, the look pretty cheap. How hard are they to replace?

Also, side question: what cause the steering wheel to lock in place?

**2010AveoLT** · 06-16-2013, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by maxbet

Unfortunately the ignition won't turn with the old or new key. I was just looking into new lock cylinders, the look pretty cheap. How hard are they to replace?

Also, side question: what cause the steering wheel to lock in place?

I bet that's due to the "Locksmith" trying to bash the New key in and it probably forced the key fragment to the end of the Cylinder and now the Lock Cylinder is permanently jammed and ruined.

**maxbet** · 06-16-2013, 07:17 PM

yeah... that's kinda what I was afraid of. I was shuddering when he started hammering it. the manual says to never force the key in at the risk of causing permanent damage.

I got the sense that it was the end of his day and he just didn't give a damn.

HOWEVER, utilizing a combination of key jiggling and luck I've been able to get it to turn and start. I left the key in the ignition so that I can get to work tonight (locksmiths charge way more on weekends around here).

Tomorrow I'm gonna try to find someone competent to look at it and hopefully just pop the fragment out. If not, does it describe how to install a new lock cylinder in the service manual?

Thanks so much for the responses everyone, I've been lurking this forum for about 6 months and using alot of the info. Great resource!