key stuck in passenger door lock

[Gary H.]

During the Lone Star Regional ops judging I got my key stuck in the the passenger door lock. REALLY STUCK. Thanks to all the judges, participants, and innocent bystanders who tried to help extricate the key. I thought that once I pulled the door panel I could wiggle the tumbler and free the key. Wrong. I thought pulling the barrel and getting it on the bench would help. Wrong. I thought soaking the barrel over night in freeze-off would do the trick. Wrong. I'll go to a locksmith on Monday. But, before I do... Any ideas?



Yes. It's the wrong key. Worked perfectly fine in the ignition for the past 2 years.

[Paul D.]

Re: key stuck in passenger door lock

Maybe some liquid graphite? Let it wick dowh the key and move the key in and out while turning it left to right. Do not apply extreme pressure as the "keys" inside are brass and could get deformed and cause worse problems. Chip.

[Richard G.]

Re: key stuck in passenger door lock

I would put it in a narrow jar and submerge it with my favorite penetrating oil.
Mine is Aerokroil.
I would purchase some lock lube and use it on all the car locks as a prophylactic measure.

Years ago, I had a lock I couldn't get to function correctly on my 57. Pulled it and brought it to a locksmith.
He found nothing wrong. He lubed it and it worked perfectly. Gave me the lube it lesson for free.
Seems to be something easily forgotten on our old cars.
Rick
.

[Patrick B.]

Re: key stuck in passenger door lock

I can’t tell from the photo what year your C2 is, but it looks like your key is the second style “A” key blank. There is a slight difference in the groove width between a 67 “A” key blank and second style “A” key which I think came out 73. It may work ok in a 67 car, but it will get stuck in a 66 or earlier door lock. A real 67 “A” key blank actually seems to work ok in the 66 and earlier locks, but if a copy is made using the later “A” key blank it will stick. If this is the source of the problem, lubing it as well as possible pulling it hard is the only thing you can do. I would not expect the brass tumblers to be hurt because it is the interference between the body of the lock cylinder and the incorrect side groove of the key that is causing it to stick.

[Gary H.]

Re: key stuck in passenger door lock

Got the key out. After disassembling the cylinder. Took the easy way out and ordered a new "correct" lock key set for the doors/ignition. Thanks for the suggestions.