Got your car key stuck in the ignition of your Chevy Cobalt? Fret not, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will show and guide you on how you can quickly take the keys out in a few simple steps.
How do I get my key out of the ignition Chevy Cobalt?
Having your keys get stuck in the ignition of your Chevy Cobalt can be a frustrating situation especially if you’re in a hurry or you’re somewhere where the necessary tools are not accessible for you.
Here’s an easy trick that you can do by yourself if you got your keys stuck in the ignition of your Chevrolet Cobalt;
- Grab a flat head screw driver or a Philips. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a flat head screw driver, you can use items that can act as a flat head screwdriver such as coins, scissors, PVC card like your driver’s license, etc.
- Look under the shaft of your steering wheel.
- Search for a small compartment that you can open by using the tool you have in step 1.
- Once found, open the compartment and place the cover on your dashboard.
- Peek inside the compartment and look for a white plastic button. Use a flashlight if its too dark or any tools that can provide ample illumination for you to see such as the flash of your smartphone, a lighter.
- Once you found the button, use your finger to press it.
- While pressing the white button, use your other hand to pull the keys out.
Using this simple step, you should be able to take the keys out of the ignition. Make sure that your keys are turned to the farthest counter clockwise position before performing this method.
The Chevy Cobalt has been a popular choice among drivers and car enthusiasts alike. Its reliability and performance are the key factors that makes it popular on the market. However, like any mechanical system, it can experience issues from time to time.
As mentioned above, it can really be a frustrating situation where Chevy Cobalt owners could not get their car key out from the ignition. Situations as such are particularly troublesome, especially if it occurs unexpectedly or due to when the car’s battery is dead.
With this in mind, let us discuss other steps to take when faced with a stuck key in the ignition of a Chevy Cobalt and offer various solutions for situations where the battery is dead.
Other ways to get the key out of the ignition Chevy Cobalt
Truth be told, a key stuck in the ignition can be caused by various factors, such as a faulty ignition switch, a malfunctioning shifter, or a steering wheel lock. If you find yourself in this situation, follow these steps to safely remove the key:
Check the Gear Shifter: Ensure that the gear shifter is fully engaged in the “Park” position. If the shifter is not in the right position, the key may get stuck as a safety feature to prevent the vehicle from being started in an inappropriate gear.
Apply the brake and try wiggling the shifter while gently pulling on the key.
Try Turning the Steering Wheel: Sometimes, the steering wheel lock can engage, making it difficult to remove the key. While gently turning the key, attempt to turn the steering wheel left and right.
This may release the steering wheel lock and allow the key to be removed.
Inspect the Ignition Switch: If the above steps don’t work, it’s possible that there’s an issue with the ignition switch itself. Look for any obstructions or debris around the key slot.
If you suspect a problem with the ignition switch, it’s best to consult a professional mechanic for a thorough inspection and repair.
Battery Check: In some cases, a low or dead battery can cause electrical issues that prevent the key from being removed. If you suspect a battery issue, try jump-starting the car or replacing the battery (if necessary).
Contact a Professional: If you’ve tried the above steps and the key is still stuck, it’s advisable to contact a professional automotive locksmith or a Chevy dealership.
Attempting to force the key out can lead to further damage, potentially making the situation worse.
If you’re someone who is not well knowledgeable about car terminology, or don’t understand some of the terms we used here, then we highly recommend to consider having a qualified professional help you.
Dealing with this problem especially if you’re someone who only knows how to drive the car and doesn’t understand anything about it can lead to further damage. Ultimately costing you more to fix the problem at hand.
How to get key out of ignition with dead battery Chevy Cobalt?
Dealing with a key stuck in the ignition of your Chevy Cobalt with a dead battery adds an extra layer of complexity in resolving this problem. With this in mind, here are some of the things that you can do:
Jump-Start the Car: Before attempting to perform methods to fix the problem with your key being stuck in the ignition, it is highly recommended to address the issue with the dead battery first.
So, if the battery is dead, the first step is to jump-start the car using jumper cables and another vehicle with a working battery. Once the Cobalt has power, try turning the key to the “Off” position and removing it from the ignition.
Alternatively, if you have no access to a vehicle with a working battery to jump-start your Chevy Cobalt, then you can consider buying a brand new battery instead.
However, doing so can easily cost you around US$150 up to US$300 depending on the brand, capacity, and specifications that you need.
Furthermore, you might also want to consider purchasing a stand alone battery jump starter. A battery jump starter is like a power bank that you can use to jump start your car without the need of another vehicle.
A battery jump starter price ranges from US$100 to US$500 depending on the feature, brand, and capacity you need.
Battery Replacement: As we already mentioned above, if the battery is too weak to hold a charge or is old, it may need replacement. A dead battery can cause various electrical issues, including, but not limited to, a stuck key in the ignition.
If the battery is the issue, replacing the battery with a new one should address it. Once done, you should be able to get the key out without any issues.
Use a Battery Charger: Alternatively, if purchasing a new battery is not within your budget, then you might want to consider purchasing a battery charger instead. You can easily buy one from online or your favorite local automotive shops.
Prices range from US$30 up to US$150, depending on the brand, capabilities, and specifications that fits your needs.
If you already have one, you can try charging the dead battery for a few hours. After the battery has gained enough charge, install the battery back to your Chevy Cobalt and perform another attempt to remove the key.
Reseat the Battery Cables: Another alternative method from jump starting your car or replacing the battery is to reseat the battery cables.
This method may work from time to time but will certainly not address the issue at hand if the battery is fully depleted. For this method, remove the positive cable from the battery of your Chevy Cobalt.
Wait for 10 seconds and then put the positive cable back in. Immediately turn the keys to ignition position but avoid turning too much to ignite the engine.
Move your gear shift to drive then back again to parking. Once done, turn the key back counter clockwise and remove it.
Seek Professional Assistance: If none of the above methods work or if you’re uncomfortable attempting these steps on your own, it’s best to contact a professional automotive service.
This method will definitely cost you some money but is guaranteed to give you a peace of mind.
Qualified professionals can perform with proper tools and accurate diagnostics that will diagnose and determine the issue, address any underlying problems, and safely remove the key from the ignition.
Conclusion
Having your car key stuck in the ignition of your Chevy Cobalt can be a very frustrating experience, especially if you don’t know what to do. To make it worst, having the battery dead at the same time makes the matter more difficult to address.
Fortunately, by following the steps that we outlined above and taking appropriate measures, you can quickly resolve the issue and get your key out of the ignition.
Remember that safety should be a top priority, and if you’re unsure about any of the steps or if the problem persists, it’s best to consult a professional mechanic or locksmith to ensure a proper and safe resolution.
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