Key not working

As anyone got this problem or had it i sometime have trouble turning my ignition key sometimes its fine others it takes ages to turn just gets stuck

Ive had this once or twice, i dont know if its the right thing to do, but i usually just cover my key in wd40 and spray a bit down the barrel, seems to sort it out for a few months till the next time

[Sid Squid]

Squirt some WD40 or similar down the lock barrel, then learn the 'SV wiggle' - which entails moving the key back and forth along the axis of the flat side, many owners have become wise in the ways of the key wiggle.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Squirt some WD40 or similar down the lock barrel, then learn the 'SV wiggle' - which entails moving the key back and forth along the axis of the flat side, many owners have become wise in the ways of the key wiggle.

+1.

The problem is a spring in the bottom of the lock that sticks. WD40 & if you have to, a short sharp whack will leave it working fine for a while yet.

Some people use a small hammer, I prefer the palm of my hand (because then I don't hit it too hard).

This thread reminds me of SoulKiss calling out breakdown recovery to his bike when he had the same issue, and the recovery guy just gave his key a whack.

T'is a common problem, more so when it's colder naturally.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Baph

+1.

The problem is a spring in the bottom of the lock that sticks. WD40 & if you have to, a short sharp whack will leave it working fine for a while yet.

Some people use a small hammer, I prefer the palm of my hand (because then I don't hit it too hard).

This thread reminds me of SoulKiss calling out breakdown recovery to his bike when he had the same issue, and the recovery guy just gave his key a whack.

T'is a common problem, more so when it's colder naturally.

Your memory is faulty - that wasn't me.

What I did when mine went a bit funny (as Kinvig witnessed) was to push it back to the dealers and have them fit a new lockset.

They tried to blame it on a bit of the protective plastic that was on the surround of the lock.

Now, however, that I know better, I'd do the WD40/Whack thing.

Thanks all used wd40 and working fine now but i will bare the wack in mind for next time

WD40 will solve most of the problem, many Suzuki's require the key being pushed forward (toward the clocks) a little at the same time.

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Your memory is faulty - that wasn't me.

Hmm, so who was it then? I thought it was you, and I'm sure whoever it was said about the RAC guy coming out & taking the mickey that whoever it was had bothered to call breakdown for it.

That's going to bug me that is...

shouldn't use WD in key locks as it will strip the threads although most SV's here aren't 30+ years old electric panels. Used engine oil will do it.

[Sid Squid]

Don't put engine oil in a lock, it's too sticky and will attract gunk which will make the lock action worse and shorten the life of the lock, (the innards are, as I'm sure you know, made of brass and are thus relatively soft and fragile).
We used to use graphite powder, an excellent lubricant and completely dry so no stickiness to gather goo in your lock, but it's rather harder to obtain in recent times, many locksmiths will suggest - guess what..? WD40 or similar.