Problems getting the key out of my ignition..

my key does this but i rarely place it in there i just use my push button

jenbutmad said:

my key does this but i rarely place it in there i just use my push button

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are you not worried that someone will jump in your car before you with that thing and drive it off?? how close do you have to be to start the car?

they can drive off but the car really wont go far with out the key which is mostly in my pocket, did a small test and the car only goes about 15mtrs and slows down and stops.

jimll said:

how close do you have to be to start the car?

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You pretty much have to be inside the car with the key before it will start (with the Advanced Key feature). There have been many occasions when I was standing outside the car and wanted to demonstrate the DRLs to people by turning on the ignition (which is achieved by pressing the "start/stop engine" button once). Well, I found that with the key in my pocket, simply leaning in to press the button while standing outside the car doesn't usually work. So, I often have to lean WAY in... to the point that my waist is inside the car. The sensor is quite sensitive.

jimll said:

I have a 2.7 tdi multitronic and I sometimes find that after i've put the car into park and turned off the engine the key sticks..I normally just have to turn the ignition on and off again to free it but it's quite annoying... Is this a problem specific to my car or does it happen to anyone else?..

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A total of 4 times now!

yes, i've had this happen as well. no real pattern. sometomes sticks (push in again twice to release) most of the time it does not. i took it to the dealer, and, of course, i couldn't get it to stick.

Sorry to hi jack the thread I have advanced key and its stopped working for some reason.
I have made sure it is selected in MMI. Just one days its stopped working now I have to press the button on the key fob all the time. Just wondering if there is another way it can be deactivated.

Mine sticks in once a week on average i should think ...... Never managed to get it to do it when i want it to though

jenbutmad said:

they can drive off but the car really wont go far with out the key which is mostly in my pocket, did a small test and the car only goes about 15mtrs and slows down and stops.

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what they should do is fit an ejector seat that operates if the key isnt in the car when its driven off

A TSB has come out for this issue. See this post.

When the keyfob is in the ignition, push it in and the engine will turn off. Wait a second (maybe half second) and remove the key. If you tug immediately it won't co-operate.

I have this about once a week too. I used to start the engine again each time just to get it out, but i've now found if you press the key in without your foot on the clutch it will turn on the electrics but not the engine... I felt a bit thick after that!!

cabtilx said:

I have this about once a week too. I used to start the engine again each time just to get it out, but i've now found if you press the key in without your foot on the clutch it will turn on the electrics but not the engine... I felt a bit thick after that!!

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I think we have all been there LOL... well all of us who dont have advanced key !!!!

In Germany they replace the ignition switch. This has happened to one of my friend, when he could not remove the key. They said to him, he was third in last few days.

Noki said:

Sorry to hi jack the thread I have advanced key and its stopped working for some reason.
I have made sure it is selected in MMI. Just one days its stopped working now I have to press the button on the key fob all the time. Just wondering if there is another way it can be deactivated.

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I have this too, and it appears to be a faulty door sensor. when replaced, all is working again.

I had trouble the first two weeks or so getting the key out, it kept sticking. Best I can figure, push it in, wait a second, then pull it out. When you pull it out, you need to apply force in the same plane that the key is inserted (which is slightly slanted toward the passenger seat.)

jenbutmad said:

they can drive off but the car really wont go far with out the key which is mostly in my pocket, did a small test and the car only goes about 15mtrs and slows down and stops.

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I dunno about the A5 in the states, but my A5 delivered from Australia isnt very safe at all. We actually did that test. I was about 10mtrs away from the car, my mate jumped in, started it and drove away. I was under the assumption that the car would pull itself up a short distance from where i was standing, though to my astonishment the car kept going and going until it disappeared around the corner!!! I dunno if there is a difference between here and the States but i was very concerned when the car didnt pull up at all!!!

bba5 said:

I had trouble the first two weeks or so getting the key out, it kept sticking. Best I can figure, push it in, wait a second, then pull it out. When you pull it out, you need to apply force in the same plane that the key is inserted (which is slightly slanted toward the passenger seat.)

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After a few times my key got stuck, I noticed that if I plugged the key with the buttons-side facing the driving wheel it would never get stuck again.
Sorry but have no science evidence behind the finding.

Dirt accumulation in the locating holes?

My non-smart key started sticking a bit and I noticed that dirt and dust was accumulating in the little cutouts in the side of the key. I just gently cleaned these cutouts with a used tooth brush and Voila the key releases perfectly again. So it might be this, but others have reported faulty solenoids that won't release the key which is a fault fixable under warranty.

As for the smart key and being able to drive the car away without the key - it doesnt seem too smart to me.

I suspect that in the US "halting" the car would lead to rather nasty law suits if it resulted in the thief getting in to an accident.... imagine thief drives off out of a car park on to a main street and the car dies in the stream of fast moving traffic....