Key Stuck In Ignition

[rockbottom]

It was cold when I rode to work this morning--23F/-5C. I don't know if this was the cause, but I can't extract my key from the ignition of my R12R. (And it is NOT a matter of just jiggling it to the correct position--it will not come out).

Luckily I work at a pretty secure place, particularly the motorcycle lot. So it's parked now with the key in it (with the rubber ripped from me trying to pull it out by the keyring). Anyone else have this issue?

[websterize]

Maybe something to do with the handlebar lock?

[rockbottom]

I don't think so. If I move it to the lock position and pull on the key, it locks, but the key won't come out. If I move it to the unlock position, the key still won't come out.

[creamora]

Bummer...First thing comes to mind is a stuck/frozen lock pin inside. Do you have access to hot water or WD40?

[AncientMariner]

Get a plastic drinking straw. Use it to blow warm air at the junction of the key and the lock. This usually works incredeibly well on frozen locks

If that doesn't work, try to dribble some WD-40 down into the lock.

It could be worse. What if the key was frozen out of the lock?

Bruce

[rockbottom]

Would freezing cause it to turn but not be removed? I'm kind of of suprised that it could freeze--it was cold, but my ride to work is 10 minutes.

[AncientMariner]

Like creamora I suspect a pin frozen. They ride up and down on tiny springs. Dirt and ice could juam one or more up. I've also found that these locks tend to get sticky with the keys. After my bike sat for a while last winter, I had to use muyltiple applications of WD-40 to get it out.

Bruce

[Liam]

Hi,

If pulling doesn't work, how about pushing. You might try giving the key a light tap on the the end between pulls. Both the mechanical impulse and the change of direction might help free up whatever is stuck. Shooting a little "Lock-Ease" into the key slot might help this process. The oil is metalo-philic so even if only a small amount got in, it would spread out on the metal surfaces of the lock mechanism.

The second thing I'd try would be to heat up the key. If you have a friend nearby with a car, the cigarette lighter from the car might provide enough heat to free the mechanism. If no electric heat source like a lighter is available, and you use a flame, take care. Lots of plastic nearby after all.

Good luck.

Liam

[rockbottom]

Problem is that I can't squirt anything into the slot because the key is in it.

[creamora]

If nothing else, slowly pouring hot water over the key and lock should warm it up and make its way down the cylinder. It's pretty tight for sure, but then stuff got in there to beging with. Or, letting some WD40 sit in the rubber lock ring and weep it's way down inside.

If nothing else and with the bike safe at work, I hope you can wait and get her home safe tonight for a proper fiddling session.

Consider me freaked out - I'm oiling my lock tonight.

[rockbottom]

It's home in my garage now, so no worries with that. I've never been able to get the lock to work right, but never thought much about it. This leads me to believe there has been something wrong with the mechanism from the beginning.

[Liam]

Problem is that I can't squirt anything into the slot because the key is in it.

I guess I should have said " Shooting a little "Lock-Ease" ONTO the key NEAR THE slot might help this process. The oil is metalo-philic so even if only a small amount got in, it would spread out on the metal surfaces of the lock mechanism."

IMHO, pouring hot water into a lock is just a bad idea. It may free the lock now, but cause more (worse?) problems later. On the other hand, Lock-Ease, not water, is what you would normally put in the lock to lube it.

Good luck,

Liam

[rockbottom]

As it turns out, it did come free once the bike sat in my garage, so it was just frozen. I now suspect that what happened was that I got water in there when I washed it yesterday. So maybe the moral of the story is never wash your motorcycle! I did squirt some WD 40 in there.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[deilenberger]

As it turns out, it did come free once the bike sat in my garage, so it was just frozen. I now suspect that what happened was that I got water in there when I washed it yesterday. So maybe the moral of the story is never wash your motorcycle! I did squirt some WD 40 in there.

Thanks for the suggestions.

WD-40 isn't the best stuff for locks (it's not the worst - pouring water into it comes close..)

The R12R keyhole has no water-shield (the little door that slides across to close the opening when the key is removed.) Oversight on BMW's part IMHO, considering it lives down in what's basically a funnel.

IMHO, As Liam has suggested - the right product to use is "LockEase" - it's made for this purpose. It has a very light volatile oil carrier that evaporates, leaving powdered graphite behind. The graphite is what works to lube the lock. Any sort of oil is also going to thicken when cold, and the tiny springs behind the plungers aren't normally strong enough to move the plungers when stuck in their bores with thickened oil.

And some smart vendor should come up with a lens-cap sort of thingie to put over the keyhole when you park it overnight and it looks like rain.. that open slot is sure going to be where water will immediately head for..

[rockbottom]

Where do you get LockEase? Auto parts store? Lowes/Home Depot? I see it on Amazon but shipping is more than the product itself.

[creamora]

Hey Guys, thanks for the beat-down on warm water.

Sure, water is not the best idea, but remember, were talking about a 'MacGuyver Moment' here. I was suggesting under the precept that LockEase or a pentrating oil may not be readily available at the stuck location; the lockset is not water tight and is designed for the elements so it's a valid option if you are sans lubricant.

Heck, under the wrong circumstances I'd pull a Bear Grylls, stand on the footpegs and piss on the offending key.

[red baron]

Any hardware store like ACE etc

[rockbottom]

Hey Guys, thanks for the beat-down on warm water.

Sure, water is not the best idea, but remember, were talking about a 'MacGuyver Moment' here. I was suggesting under the precept that LockEase or a pentrating oil may not be readily available at the stuck location; the lockset is not water tight and is designed for the elements so it's a valid option if you are sans lubricant.
.[/i]

And we pretty much always have warm water available.

[sky_sailor]

Warm water....bad idea. It'll just freeze again.
Blowing at it through a straw....bad idea. Moisture in breath will just freeze again.
Lock de-icer....good. Dry, and will not freeze.
The Bahamas.....good. Moist, but will never freeze in the first place.
Lyle

[Lost Rider]

Heck, under the wrong circumstances I'd pull a Bear Grylls, stand on the footpegs and piss on the offending key.

Love that! I could just see it now.... LOL


Sir, what are you doing? says the cop.


Well, officer, my key is frozen...


lol