Q&A for How to Remove a Broken Key from an Ignition Lock

Because the tip of the key is being forced further down inside of your ignition past the next wafer. You will be stranded soon. Call a locksmith.

As a master locksmith with 23 years working on automotive keys, I can tell you the techniques listed above will most push the broken portion of your key much deeper into the ignition, causing the expense to be greater. My general rules of thumb are as follows: If you can touch the broken portion with your finger, there is a possibility you can remove it on your own. If you can see the broken portion but can't touch it, you will not be able to remove it on your own (but a locksmith can easily remove it using specialized tools). If you can't see or touch the broken key portion, the ignition likely must be removed for extraction.

Reach back behind the ignition under the dash, you will feel a ring. Turn the ring with a pair of pliers or a wrench until the ring is completely loose. Remove the wires connected to the back of the ignition, then pull the ignition forward through the hole.

A locksmith can break up and remove the wood using a harpoon broken key extractor.

Sometimes these can be repaired and sometimes they can't. It depends on whether or not the metal housing which the key blade slides into is broken or cracked. If it is damaged, most locksmiths will not attempt to repair the key because there is a high risk of the spring (which flips the key) popping. If the blade itself has broken, an automotive locksmith can decode your key, cut a new blade, and install it onto your key.

Try very thin needle-nose pliers like soldering or jewelers pliers.