# Ignition Key won't insert. Very hard to get it in to start my Honda

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-key-wont-insert-very-hard-to-get-it-in-to-start-my-honda/173574>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Tags:** honda\
**Created:** [December 24, 2020, 1:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-key-wont-insert-very-hard-to-get-it-in-to-start-my-honda/173574 "2020-12-24T13:14:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Karen-Hammond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Karen-Hammond](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Karen-Hammond)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 1:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-key-wont-insert-very-hard-to-get-it-in-to-start-my-honda/173574/1 "2020-12-24T13:14:40Z")

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My key will not insert into the ignition on the steering column. Any advice on how to fix this? I don’t want to take it to the mechanic and be ripped off.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-key-wont-insert-very-hard-to-get-it-in-to-start-my-honda/173574/2 "2020-12-24T13:50:14Z")

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Maybe it needs lubrication. Spray powdered graphite into the key insert and see if it loosens up. Don’t mix powdered graphite with a liquids lube. You could also take it to a locksmith. They should be cheaper than the dealer. Make sure the locksmith can handle the problem before turning it over. In MD, there are a limited number of locksmiths licensed to do significant car ignition work, and I’m not sure where this falls as far as licensing is concerned.

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**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ignition-key-wont-insert-very-hard-to-get-it-in-to-start-my-honda/173574/3 "2020-12-24T15:49:57Z")

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Sometimes its the key but most often its the ignition cylinder that is worned If you are in the habit of having a lot of keys dangling down on your key chain. The extra weight will wear the cylinder after a few years.