# Can't Turn Key **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** keys\ **Created:** [October 18, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-key/6136 "2007-10-18T18:12:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tyler183](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc8723/32.png) [@Tyler183](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tyler183)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-key/6136/1 "2007-10-18T18:12:59Z")
When I go to start my sisters 94’ Chevy Cavalier the key will not turn, sometime the key gets stuck in the ingition. Even if it starts you have to keep the key turned foward for it to stay on. What do I do? Can I fix this myself? Please help! ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-key/6136/2 "2007-10-18T18:21:09Z")
It sounds like the ignition switch might be worn out. You could try putting a little powdered graphite in the key slot to see if it loosens up, but if that doesn’t work you might need a new ignition switch. ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-key/6136/3 "2007-10-18T20:06:01Z")
What Mr. mcp said. I’m curious though. Does the key ring have a lot of weight added to it? ---
**Author:** ![Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jeremy_r_hoyt/32/37_2.png) [@Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeremy_R_Hoyt)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-key/6136/4 "2007-10-18T20:22:05Z")
It sounds like you might just need to pull hard on the steering wheel. Try this in both directions. It might release tension that is sometimes caused by pulling the wheel in to a locked position.