Kawasaki Motorcycle Forums banner

key gets stuck in the ignition

45K views 41 replies 29 participants last post by  zx6rmotard 
#1 · (Edited)
This has been frustrating as it just occurred this weekend.

Riding, then it rained on me hard, probably coincidence, but now i can't get the key out of the ignition?

It turns to the right, but doesn't turn to the left. So I can be in the on position, then right in the off position, then I have a hard time getting it to further turn to the "lock" position.

"edit" finally been working it by just twisting and flicking, and got the key out. key is not bent, and I tried using my spare, and got the same result, stuck key for like 20 mins trying to twist until something luckily catches and i can turn it fully, then voila, i get my key back

i added wd 40 into the keyhole but that hasn't help. any advice? do I need to buy another key box thing?

i going to have to carry 2 keys so I can be sure to be able to access my gas tank. also don't like the theft possibility of not being able to lock the steering or retrieve my key.
 
#13 ·
I used wd40 for a while but that no longer works for me. I think its something wear related, I had seen another post that said that, and that if you can put some pressure on the steering lock piece that goes into the frame it the key will turn easy and come right out. I carry a skewer and it works for me.
 
#17 ·
yea same here. i'm pretty sure its mechanical. i've just been doing what megarush said. it's working but its just irritating to do it EVERY time you stop riding. new ignition would work. . .but then you'd have different keys for gas cap and to pop the tail. You could always take off the ignition and put something over that to keep it from popping out, but then you couldn't lock the steering on your bike. i was thinking about doing that actually.
 
#18 ·
Yup happened last week to me also, #!*#@
i wasn't at home and left the key in to the right so light's went off.

sprayed some lube in their, and then some electronic compressed air. now good as new.
same happened the the rear solo seat, had to take the whole mechanism apart and clean and grease it.

seems like a common problem.
 
#20 ·
I came on to look for this thread specifically. Low and behold it was at the top. I recently went on a 1,700 mile trip on my bike. 500 miles away from home and the lock got stuck at a gas station. I had a locksmith make me a key that will only work for my gas tank by reading the lock.

My key came out when I got home for some reason, but it put up a fight. It still jams up, so I don't trust it. I am going to replace it. I wish I would have thought about the tip to push on the lock part that goes up in my frame.
 
#21 ·
How many miles do you guys have on your bikes? I am interested to see if it is more common in higher mileage bikes that have more likely had the ignition turned on and off a lot more than a lower mileage bike.

My bike has 18,000 miles on it. Are you guys also around there?
 
This post has been deleted
#23 ·
24K miles for me. I've tried wd 40, graphite lube, and still having problem.

I'm going to start using this trick to activate the steering lock mechanism.

Does anyone want to snap a quick picture to tell us how to go about this? thanks.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I have just over 60,000kms on my bike and
key got stuck a few times but i took off ignition and lubed it up and it seems to be fine now.

The trunk key froze on me once and took it apart and the locking mechanism and it's been fine since.

can't remember the type of lube i used but it had high viscosity and worked well.
 
#26 ·
Had my 03 zx6r for 7 years and this only started happening the day I took it for inspection a few weeks ago. Coincidence or not?? Both keys, same thing. Tried wd40 and sae90 to lube it up. Worked well for a few rides but now getting stuck again, just not as bad as when it first started. I can’t help but think the guy did something to it.
 
#29 ·
look at the butt end of the lock underneath the triple tree, facing the frame

there should be a rectangular piece of silver metal sticking out towards the frame
that is the steering lock

eventually that will get stuck, leaving your key in the "on" position and can only go to "park"
you need to manually push it in a little bit to get the key to turn to the "off" and "lock"

here's a pic and solution someone else did
he slapped on an extra piece of metal to help push against the frame

 
#31 ·
look at the butt end of the lock underneath the triple tree, facing the frame

there should be a rectangular piece of silver metal sticking out towards the frame
that is the steering lock

eventually that will get stuck, leaving your key in the "on" position and can only go to "park"
you need to manually push it in a little bit to get the key to turn to the "off" and "lock"

here's a pic and solution someone else did
he slapped on an extra piece of metal to help push against the frame
yup. i believe that to be the culprit aswell.
lubing that would be a good idea too.
also, for those of you lubing the ignition, dont forget to hit the fuel door lock aswell.
 
#30 ·
^^ I have to look into that, I am also having this issue, it seems to be fairly common on this gen of bike. My 04 has 40,000KM on it so I presume it is from wear. I have put lube in to no avail, it also seems to be getting worse and worse. Although if I quickly turn it to the right then left it comes out in one quick motion...

I hope that is the issue, going to give it a shot tonight after work.
 
#32 ·
I know this thread is a few months old but I've got some additional information that may help anyone with this problem.

I've noticed that if you turn the ignition clockwise to the PARK LOCK position (ensuring your bars are locked) and then quickly turn counter clockwise to the OFF LOCK position you can jump your way past the little stop between On and Off.

Why does this work? I'd assume due to the momentum the key and locking mechanism have.

I'm not sure if this is a permanent solution, but it's been working so far.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top