Key stuck in ignition switch

[KGROLLE]

Just wondering if anyone has seen this problem, which I've never experienced in 46 (forty-six!) years owning my '72 124 spider! I'm nearing completion of its restoration (almost 8 years now) and haven't actually started the car yet. I went to remove the ignition key two days ago and it wouldn't come out in the OFF position (or any other). It was a 'new' aftermarket model so I put the old, functional one back in yesterday. The key to the old went in and out easily before I installed it and immediately afterwards. Today, no luck, it's stuck too! The only thing I did in the interim was hookup the battery (temporarily) and test the operation of hazard, turn & brake lights. And they work. Related or not, I have pretty much disassembled and rebuilt the entire car including a new electrical system, fuel system, brakes and engine replacement.
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated! Thx, Kaj

[KGROLLE]

Fixed (?) !!! I thought but had forgotten the key had to be rotated all the way counter clockwise, and maybe a bit forcefully. It then comes out of the original quite smoothly and the after market, a bit less so. I almost had the 2nd (original) removed, before discovering this. Don't feel so "wise" for be older!

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Thanks for letting us know. The other thing that can happen is that the steering wheel lock is jamming a bit, making the key hard to rotate. To get around that issue, try jiggling the steering wheel a bit as you turn the key.

-Bryan

[KGROLLE]

Thank you Bryan!

[spider2081]

If someone sprayed a lubricant into the slot the key goes in, over time the lubricant can dry up and make the tumblers (pins) sticky. I have sprayed brake clean into the key slot then insert the key a couple times. wipe the key off with a paper towel and repeat until when the key is removed it is free of any contaminant. Sometimes rotating the key also helps free the pins.