ninetyfourfd3s

Well looks like today qualifies as a pretty crummy day. I parked on an incline on my way to class, and being the idiot that I am... I turned the steering wheel locking it. Unforunately I couldn't turn the key and start the vehicle, and so I got a ride home to get tools. This only caused more problems, because the key broke off in the ignition.

So then I had to get a flat bed tow truck, and brought the car home. Which was no small task considering the wheels were slightly turned.

Now to the task at hand... does anyone know how to remove the igition? I need to remove the broken key, and repair any damage done to the lock. Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

turp182

Locksmiths can pull the key, they have all the trick tools. No need to disassemble the ignition that I can think of. And they will certainly come to you if you and do service on the spot.

I'm assuming you weren't able to get the steering wheel to release with the key in the ignition? That could be a problem with the locking mechanism, which I am not at all familiar with.

ninetyfourfd3s

That is true... unfortunately I think the problem is with the lock it self.

The lock is stuck pretty bad, and even if the key were taken out the problem would remain. I think the only way to deal with this is to remove the lock, and try to repair it. I just don't know where to begin...

turp182

If the problem is with the lock, a locksmith might be able to help troubleshoot. Could be expensive, not guaranteed to work, but it would be the fastest first thing to try.

They know a lot about locking systems, and I'm sure they are familiar with steering locks in cars (although I would certainly ask before having them come over).

turp182

Whew, 100 posts!!!

spooledUP7

Like so many other things about our cars, they key is not without its own design flaws. I have had two mazda keys with fractures.

sszablya

Mine too! only thing is, I managed to get my key out of the (cargo bin) lock before it broke off completely. I went straight to Ace Hardware and had them make two copies. I straightened the original (it bent 90 deg) and I leave it on my desk at home.

ninetyfourfd3s

No ideas?

UnSeeN

i must have broke 10 keys in my door..get used to it..if you notice the key doesnt go all the way in the door so keys tend to break pretty easy. how hard did you twist that thing if you broke it in the ignition? the key goes all the way down to the base in the ignition. well i suggest that you have the locksmith take a look...and see where it goes from there..Good Luck

MazdaMike

yea my mazda keys all have fractures in em.. well both i only have 2 but also, the little water protector flap on both door locks broke in and i had to fish both of em out with paperclips and my freaking flashlight in my mouth. pain in the ***** lemme tell u.

-Mike

ninetyfourfd3s

Seems like all of our keys are fractured. Maybe it's an issue with the FD locks. I've never had so many keys go bad...

user 84205

If your ever interested, its pretty cheap to change all your locks too the new style and with the keys rigth from Mazda Japan...

Jason
www.jt-imports.com

tfhuth

I've had other vehicles that were hard to remove the key / turn the ignition after locking the steering wheel while it was turned. One time it happened in a U-Haul truck. Anyway, you can take the 'pressure' off the locking mechanism ( ignition ) by turning your steering wheel the same direction your wheels are already turned. Trust me it works. I realize now you are in a slightly different situation with the key broke off in there. But, if you're gonna try and fish it out, try and realive the pressure on it by turning your steering wheel while doing it.

My key had a fracture in when I bought the car. Had two new ones made right off. Good luck, Tom

paw140

I think its a problem with Mazda keys. I haven't had any problems with mine yet, but my buddy has a 93 MX6, and he seems to go through a key every 6 months or so.

M.Piedlourde

Wow, I feel your pain. I broke my key off in the driver's side door of my daily-driver Sentra, while I was with my girlfriend, while we were at the mall, about 20 miles from my house. Talk about a pain in the ***! We had to take a cab back to my place, get my GF's car, and then drive back to the mall with my spare key to get my car. Good luck getting it out! I haven't bothered to get mine fixed yet, I'm just using my spare.

ninetyfourfd3s

How cheap? Mazda quoted me $250+tax for the ignition lock, and they want it up front. Talk about highway robbery.

vudoodoodoo

RX-7 keys are POS! They are too long and soft.
I broke mine last month. I stuck it in the door to unlock it. It was dark and I didn't see that the key was all the way in. I turned the key and it twisted like butter. It still opened the door so I thought it would work in the ignition. But it broke off in there. Luckily, that half that was stuck was sticking out enough for me to pull out w/ my fingers. That was my only key though and it was Saturday night. I had to wait till Monday afternoon to get new keys and drive my car.

ninetyfourfd3s

Thanks everyone, I was actually working on the car, but came inside to find out how to remove the steering wheel...

But it seems that I don't have to remove the steering wheel to remove the ignition switch. I found some quick instructions on Rob Robinette's page

http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobi...sc.htm#Replace the Ignition Switch

Hopefully I can get this all sorted out before the end of the day.

Jim Calandrella

Man, I'm glad i'm not alone on this! I've broken two keys. Luckily, they have all left enough of the shaft out of the lock to grab. They are too long I think.
This key thing has got me in trouble a couple of times. Imagine finally getting a hottie to agree to go out with you, very stressfully playing every card right, and at 2am going back to the car with every intention of spending the night, AND BREAKING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION!
My roomate bailed me out on that one. I'm eternally gratefull.

blackscorpio

I noticed mine breaking while opening my door upon exiting home depot. Needless to say I turned right around and got 2 new keys cut.

sszablya

Nice. Locks *should be* totally disassembleable. That's how locksmiths get in there and change the tumblers for them. Be careful if you have to get that far, though.. I wouldn't want to screw up those tumblers inside or you'll be in a heap of hurt.

Is dis-assemble-able a word?

blackscorpio

sszablya - It is now

ninetyfourfd3s

Well I finally got things taken care of. I wasn't able to remove the steering wheel but I didn't let that hold me back. After much frustration I used brute force and pried the cover off the lock.

I tried turning the wheel like you said, but with a fractured key(the original) I decided not to chance it. I was going to borrow a car and drive to Mazda. But I decided to try the lock once more. Lo and behold the lock turned like it was butter.

Next I went to Mazda South here in Austin, and they hooked me up with some new keys. The guys there(David Johnson and John Maddox in particular) are very helpful, and they know how to take care of a customer. A lot of the guys there are rotor-heads, and they really know their stuff. I wouldn't go anywhere else for OEM parts...

I'd like to thank all of you guys for your help. I can't think of any other group of enthusiasts that are this helpful.