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Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:31 pm
by zxr_lover
Hey folks,

As the title says, when i put the key in ignition its hard to turn it to start engine etc.

was wondering what would be best thing to spray or put in it? i.e wd40 or grease or something?

Cheers :smt003

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:40 pm
by RedexRobB
Id run a bit of oil down the barrel by opening the little cover at the top of the lock and putting a couple of drops in. :smt001

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:42 pm
by masterofinsanity
have you wiggled the steering whilst you turn it?

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:35 pm
by rene
spray a load of WD40 into the lock, i normaly do it after i wash the bike, keeps everything working nicely

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:09 pm
by Jamz
masterofinsanity wrote:have you wiggled the steering whilst you turn it?
I'm with this. On a lot of bikes I've had sometimes it was hard to lock/unlock the steering unless I moved the bars slightly.

What you have to remember is that the steering lock is essentially just a big old metal pin that pops out of the ignition barrel when you turn the key, and locates into a hole on the frame.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:11 pm
by rene
think he means when its in the 'Off' postion and moving it to the 'On' postion rather than getting the steering lock off...i think

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:17 pm
by Jamz
Yeah, same concept - if the pin is pressed against the side of the locating hole it will make it stiff to turn the key to unlock it.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:22 pm
by rene
but the pin will already be inside the barrel so shouldnt effect it.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:34 pm
by zxr_lover
rene wrote:think he means when its in the 'Off' postion and moving it to the 'On' postion rather than getting the steering lock off...i think
your bang on there mate, its when am sat on the bike with the steering lock off and the key is in say the off position then trying to turn it on, will give it a bash tonight with the oil see what happens.

cheers guys.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:35 pm
by RedexRobB
I found with my XJR that the kay was wearing, tried the other key and it solved it, also found that wiggling the key a bit also helped.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:40 pm
by zxr_lover
i only got 1 key with mine and i think its the original so its a bit worn and i got a key copied and its basically the exact copy so won't make much difference.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:41 pm
by masterofinsanity
rub some vinegar on the key

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:48 pm
by zxr_lover
just gave it a spray of wd40 seems to have done the trick, time will tell me thinks...

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:37 pm
by Jamz
Ahh I see...

Yeah, that's most likely a job for WD40 or maybe even some silicon spray?

I make it routine like Rene, and spray a squirt of WD40 into the keyhole every time I wash the bike.

Re: Key Sticking in ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:14 pm
by rene
Jamz wrote: I make it routine like Rene, and spray a squirt of WD40 into the keyhole every time I wash the bike.
is this a annual thing then?