Why won't my key turn on the ignition?

Is your car battery discharged?

Is your steering wheel locked?

Is the key bent?

Is your key worn?

Are you using the wrong key?

Is there something stuck inside the lock mechanism?

Is the tumblers inside the ignition switch stuck?

Many modern cars will not let the ignition turn on when there is no electric current running through the system. This is a safety feature that prevents the car from rolling down the street uncontrollably when the ignition is turned on, but the engine won't start. Just get your battery charged and try again, this should solve the problem. While you're at it, have your battery checked as well, there might be an underlying reason why it is discharged.

This is a security feature that is found in almost all cars, this prevents car theft. This is an easy fix; there should be a little play in the wheel, turn it until it won't turn anymore, hold it in place, and then try to twist the ignition. This should enable the key to turn on the ignition.

If the key is bent, it might not be able to line up correctly with the lock's mechanism. Get a rubber mallet to flatten the key; be careful not to hit the key fob. This should fix the key enough that it would fit in the ignition perfectly again.

Compare the key that you usually use with the spare key that came with it. If the notches are really worn down they might not line up with the tumblers in the lock. If this is the case, just use the spare key and have another copy made so you will have a spare. If you are away from home and you find that your keys are too worn down, don't slide the key all the way in, leave a sixteenth of an inch and then try to turn the key. This should help line up the notches with the tumblers and allow the key to turn.

If you have several different automobiles it makes it quite easy for you to mix up which keys go where. Just go get the right key for your car and of you go. To prevent this from happening again, use bright colored keychains to label your keys (the colors of the keychains should match the paint of the car).

Get a can of compressed air with a straw attachment and blow away any dirt or grime stuck inside the lock system. Remember to wear proper eye protection when doing this. Now, if you are away from home and you do not have the right tools, you can try inserting and pulling out your key from the ignition. Do this a couple of times to dislodge any dirt that got stuck in the tumblers, thus allowing them to function properly again.

This usually happens to older cars as the ignition system has seized up because of all the residue gathered inside the ignition switch. You just need to spray the inside of the ignition with some WD-40 and then give the outside a few good whacks with a rubber mallet. This should jolt the tumblers loose thus letting you turn the key and the ignition.