Key stuck in ignition!!!

[njsrikar]

As the title says, bike's key is freaking stuck, it wont come out in OFF, LOCK or PARK positions. All I did today morning was to ride it to work, which is about 10miles. Bike still starts though.

i tried pulling it a few times and gave up. Called ducati road side assistance and they want me to take it to a dealer.

any ideas or solutions? I would prefer not having to take it to a dealer.

[Jim]

is the streering column locked?

[aldend123]

My experience with newer bikes is limited, but I'm going to guess they have similar "safety's" that modern cars have. IE the key cannot be removed if the car is not in park. Have the manual handy? Or can get a copy online? I'd try to find out what the safety's are and start with those. My guess is a kickstand or neutral check?

[Cheese]

Could moisture have frozen in it? Can you move it somewhere warm to defrost? I'm not going to recommend a deicer as I have no idea what the long term effects of that stuff is. Perhaps someone else does.

[njsrikar]

The steering wasnt locked.

Anyways, I got it out with a bit of WD40. But now I am unable to unlock it!! I can push and pull the key out. I tried it only once or twice though, its pretty cold and windy outside. I will try once again later in the day.

atleast my bike is safely locked and the key is with me. issue resolved for now! uff...

[njsrikar]

Could moisture have frozen in it? Can you move it somewhere warm to defrost? I'm not going to recommend a deicer as I have no idea what the long term effects of that stuff is. Perhaps someone else does.

I called seacoast and they thought the same. On their suggestion, I used a lil WD40 and got the key out. but as i said, it is not unlocking now, so I think its some mechanical issue with the ignition than it getting frozen.

[j4eric]

now you have a locked bike at work that wont unlock....i think you are worse off..lol......good luck man, hope its an easy solution.....my suggestion would be not to ride this late in December..

[idratherberidin]

Sounds like a couple drops of water, mixed with cold temps equals frozen tumblers. You'll be fine in a few hours.

[Kurlon]

Seacoast suggested WD40? BAD SEACOAST, BAD! All WD40 does in a lock is make it sticky and want to collect grit. WD40 is not a lube, if you need lubrication use something that is.

(For locks my normal go to is graphite BTW.)

[njsrikar]

Seacoast suggested WD40? BAD SEACOAST, BAD! All WD40 does in a lock is make it sticky and want to collect grit. WD40 is not a lube, if you need lubrication use something that is.

(For locks my normal go to is graphite BTW.)

well ...he asked me to use very little, as much less as possible. And thats the only thing I had at work.

[njsrikar]

now you have a locked bike at work that wont unlock....i think you are worse off..lol......good luck man, hope its an easy solution.....my suggestion would be not to ride this late in December..

yeah, might be. will see. but atleast its locked. before, somebody could start and ride it away!

otherwise I`ll get it to towed to a nearby ducati dealer. it is covered under warranty anyways.

[smokinjoe]

The lock de-icers are generally 90% rubbing alchohol. They shouldn't be a problem. I have frozen my ignition many times. Tri-flow lube (teflon based) is the best. You need to defrost it then lube to prevent re-freeze. If you can heat the key with a torch or flame it should heat thetublers enough to work (may take several tries).
Worse case you can pour hot water over the cylender then wd4o the key and lock. It will at least get you home.
I did this to mine a bunch of times & you can displace the water in the lock with wd enuff to not refreeze.

[Rambunctous]

Hey....You got a Ducati. You got a job. Nice

[Cheese]

If you can heat the key with a torch or flame it should heat thetublers enough to work (may take several tries).

If there's an anti-theft chip in that key, I wouldn't heat it.

[slammp]

I would recommend the small push cylinder of lock de-ice most gas stations and cvs carry. I would not try to heat the key as I have seen this melt the plastic handle portion when the metal gets hot (just my experience). The de-icer should be easy to find at any local store selling car related products this time of year and it works good.

[slammp]

on another note, you may want to hit your nipples with a little of the left over de-icer before you leave for home - its freaking cold out there.

[Evadd]

Seacoast suggested WD40? BAD SEACOAST, BAD! All WD40 does in a lock is make it sticky and want to collect grit. WD40 is not a lube, if you need lubrication use something that is.

(For locks my normal go to is graphite BTW.)

i realize this is few weeks old (was bored and cruising the forum) but wanted to chime in on this, since i see it come up now and then. When i lived in miami, i had no garage so the bike stayed under a cover year-round. it's humid and rains like stink down there for about 4 months of the year. the ignition would slowly seize up over the course of a few months, and i always used WD-40 to loosen it. worked great, and would last another 6 months or so til the constant moisture got to it again. i never had a problem with stickiness or grit. graphite is a great lubricant, but WD-40 does work well as one. WD-40's primary function is a water repellent and i think it's great for locks specifically b/c of that property.