help snapped key in ignition barrel

[northwestalloy]

can anyone help me i have snapped my key in the ignition barrel. how do i get it out
thanks in advance

[MedicTed]

Tweezers or lock shop.
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Ted Wojton
70 VW Bus Westfalia camper
2003 GMC Sierra

[Shaken]

Had the same thing happen to the PO of the bus I bought... he bypassed the ignition and put a key on the dash...

Don't do that...

Needle nose pliers got my key out, but I guess it would depend how much purchase you have on the broken end.

Just remember to turn the key back to 'off' before trying to pull it out.

If you don't have enough of the broken key to grab, you could try a little JB weld on the key parts, might be enough to pull it out.

Just don't use too much and totally gum up your ignition.

Shaken
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My other car is an MGB.
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Cogito ergo possum.

[kevander]

I had this problem twice and solved it by using two small computer screwdrivers - flat bladed. After sticking them in around the key, I turned the key to the off position. Then, I used them to carefully wedge the key out enough to grab with a needlenose pliers. Helps to have 3 hands or a helper!
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"No one ever said life was easy."

[twinfalls]

All of the above and
I would firstly spray WD 40 and soak with thin oil.
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Stock 1974 US Westy, AW-A 1800cc dual carbs. Twin Falls is my favorite site on the Churchill river in Manitoba.

[Blaubus]

WD 40 has silicone in it! if you use THAT (first) you can forget about the JB weld... wont stick, by god!

[SteelersBus]

I am a locksmith and deal with this problem daily. Air cooled VW keys are opposite on both sides. Making picking them almost impossible. Anyway, go to a local locksmith and tell them your story. Ask them if you can borrow their key removal tool. It is small enough to go into a lock with the key in it. You twist the tool clockwise into the lock against the key. Then you pull it towards you. Not too hard, just enough to get a grip of the side of the key. Trying to remove it any other way damage the wafers in the lock or the key path itself. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
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Volkswagen Locksmith
25 yrs experience
Keys by Code, Locks & Keys Supplied,
Key all your Locks to one Key.
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70 Campmobile, 70 Sedan, 71 SO-69 Westy, & 74 Westy

[bugster1226]

I've used a VERY small fish hook with a long shank.
Straighten out the hook part and insert the barbed end along side the key. Twist EASY and pull done it three times on different cars. Works ok.
( IF YOU BREAK THE FISH HOOK OFF YOUR SOL) Good Luck
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It ain't rocket science

[deschutestrout]

[steponmebbbboom]

How are all these people snapping their keys off in the ignition switch?

???

[twinfalls]

[twinfalls]

[ratwell]