Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 18:27:40 GMT From: Paul Halliday <pjghnospamyonder.co.uk> Subject: Re: Stuck Key in C900
in article b3krot$1njcr4$1nospam52899.news.dfncis.de, Grunff at grunffnospam.com wrote on 27/02/2003 11:09: > Brandon Thomas wrote: > >> I took my 88 900 classic in for inspection and emissions, (passed!). The >> 'tech' left >> the key in the car which I didn't think much about, it was in visible sight >> and I was >> just paying the bill and going to leave right away. >> >> I got home and now I can't get the key out! I think the tech must have tried >> to turn >> it or remove it or something weird while he was testing the car, but either >> way, the >> key won't come out. >> >> It will turn and start the car and everything else, but no matter what, it >> won't come >> out. I tried some lubes to see if it was just sticking, but it feels like >> it's >> 'locked' in, you know, before you put in in reverse to remove it. (Yes, I >> know about >> that, I've had the car for a year now!) >> >> So, I've read the manual and have decided to remove the center console and >> get the >> key out that way and also to see what is 'jamming' it up. However, the >> manual, >> Bentley, indicates that I will need a 'special' tool to remove several of the >> bolts. >> >> Is it really a 'special' tool or just a deep-wall socket or something? Or is >> there a >> 'home DYI fix for this? > > > You'll need the 'special tool' for unbolting the alloy key > housing from the car floor. It's a 3 notched socket, which you > can make by cutting down a 12mm socket. All you do is remove > about 1/2 of the socket circumference in three notches (look at > the three point nuts, and you'll understand). > > Once you've removed it, you'll be able to access the reverse > lock mechanism, and see what's wrong. I have seen a tool at a local tool shop that "fits all nuts". It's made up of a set of recessed pins that get pushed in when placed over the nut, creating the shape of the nut. I'm not sure how it would fare on a really stuck nut though. I had a similar experience with my first 900 turbo, but the other way round. I found that I accidentally pulled the key out while the engine was on. I put the car into reverse and pulled up on the handbrake together with the key fob and found that I couldn't get the key back in. I think the lock had gone to the locked position (while in reverse) and it took a whole load of wiggling in the key aperture while moving back and forth in reverse as far as it would move. Eventually the key went back in. Brandon might find a similar process works to release his key, since it appears that the lock is not going far enough when he goes into reverse to retract the key. Paul