Key catching in ignition

[allantheboss]

My XJR is pretty new (bought June 2012). The key is fine (I've tried the spare too) but I really have to forcefully wiggle it into the ignition. It's catching hard every few centimetres, and the last centimetre is always the hardest. It seems like it's gotten worse as the temperature has gotten colder (to give you a time scale) but I've never had this problem with any of my 6 other bikes!

Any ideas? I've tried WD40 and it didn't really help.

Thankzzzz!

[maviczap]

Graphite powder to lubricate the lock tumblers

Buy some or file a pencil led to get some.

WD is carp for this

[squirrel_hunter]

I've used WD40 and chain lube before and that has solved a sticky lock. Not sure if that will help here though.

[leebex]

I use a little 3 in 1 oil or even dab the key in a pot of gear oil, when the lock gets sticky. I think the lock lets moisture in after a while as it lives outside. wd 40 is rubbish I find. Only use it to clean my chain.

[allantheboss]

It's actually really hard to push in. I have to use much more force than I would put down to describing it as sticky. However, this is in my very amateur opinion. Is there anything else it *could* be, or is it most likely to just be sticking?

Thanks a lot for the help! Glad you didn't all immediately come back saying I need new parts! I have had the same sort of problem with the fuel tank lock since maybe a few months after I bought it. I took it to a Yamaha dealership (because West London Yamaha where I bought it were the most dishonest prikks I've ever met) and I was told that they didn't treat the fuel tank lock as they should have during the pre-sale preparation. Maybe they didn't treat the ignition lock for anti-weather or whatever, so it is suffering much earlier that it should do?

[shiftin_gear98]

Mine was a bit sticky, so I tried some GT85 I have in the garage, basically WD with Teflon. You can get it in most pushbike shops.
I just jam the plastic hose in as far in as you can, then just blast away. Keep blasting as you pull out. :wink:
Wipe and you should be good.


I do this every once in awhile and seems to really help not been sticky since.

[allantheboss]

Mine was a bit sticky, so I tried some GT85 I have in the garage, basically WD with Teflon. You can get it in most pushbike shops.
I just jam the plastic hose in as far in as you can, then just blast away. Keep blasting as you pull out. :wink:
Wipe and you should be good.


I do this every once in awhile and seems to really help not been sticky since.

I actually did use GT85, not WD40. I was just being generic/not being specific. Hasn't really worked for me though. :(

[yorkie_chris]

more GT85, really flush it through. Flush it, then put the key in, then flush again. Repeat.

[allantheboss]

When you say "flush it" do you mean I should be extracting out the fluid from the other end? Or just keep spraying from the top? Anybody else for the graphite powder idea?

[allantheboss]

And anybody got an idea regarding the cause? Is it moisture or rust or something? The bike is way newer than my others and I've never had this problem before!

[maviczap]

Grit, corrosion or debris stopping the tumbler from retracting in the lock barrel when you push the key in is my guess

[yorkie_chris]

When you say "flush it" do you mean I should be extracting out the fluid from the other end? Or just keep spraying from the top? Anybody else for the graphite powder idea?

I think there will be a drain hole in the bottom. There is on my XJ, but it is about 30 years older.

[shiftin_gear98]

At £4 a can, keep going till you run out, then go get another one!
Good Luck.
Don't forget to wipe the key when you take it out before putting it back in, just in case you have managed to shift some debris.
You want to get that shiz out, not ram it back in.


When you say spraying from the top? You are jamming the plastic tube in as far down as you can?

[BunkerBear]

I know it's not quite the same issue. My lock has never turned if I drop the key straight in and turn. It always gets unfamiliar mechanics.

All I need to do is apply a little pressure to the side of the key, i.e. push it sideways against the slot itself. It then works fine 100%.

Only time I've struggled to insert the key fully is in a heavy freeze. Not quite on topic I know but someone else may have the same 'quirk'.

[TheRuffellator]

Yeah mine does the same, it's a bit random as to when it works smoothly and when it needs a bit of wiggling about. Doesn't really bother me though!

[punyXpress]

have you set the steering lock?

[allantheboss]

At £4 a can, keep going till you run out, then go get another one!
Good Luck.
Don't forget to wipe the key when you take it out before putting it back in, just in case you have managed to shift some debris.
You want to get that shiz out, not ram it back in.


When you say spraying from the top? You are jamming the plastic tube in as far down as you can?

Nope, just from the top. Should I shove the tube as far in as possible before spraying the fluid inside?

have you set the steering lock?

What do you mean?

[maviczap]

Nope, just from the top. Should I shove the tube as far in as possible before spraying the fluid inside?

Yes

[punyXpress]

Nope, just from the top. Should I shove the tube as far in as possible before spraying the fluid inside?



What do you mean?

If the lock is same as SV, when you set it, sideways pressure can make the key harder to turn

[yorkie_chris]

Nope, just from the top. Should I shove the tube as far in as possible before spraying the fluid inside?

A bit, then a bit more, then a bit more etc.

[allantheboss]

I think spraying worked! Some black bits came out. Dirt, I guess? The Org saves the day!


...for now... THANKS GUYS (any girls. I can't tell if any of you are secretly female).

[JulesW]

Hoorah! Nice one :)

[Nutsinatin]

Nice job, you can sort mine now!