Can I get some help?

[Kats96sportage]

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY IGNITION ON MY 96 SPORTAGE. I HOPE TO GET SOME FORM OF HELP HERE. MY ISSUE IS THIS: MY KEY WILL GET STUCK IN IGNITION. IT WAS WEIRD THE OTHER DAY, I HAD A FEW ERRANDS TO RUN, AT ONE PLACE IT CAME OUT, THEN AT THE NEXT STOP I GO TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND IT IS STUCK, SO I HAVE TO LEAVE A DOOR UNLOCKED AND PUT SOMETHING OVER STEERING WHEEL TO HIDE THE FACT THAT THE KEY IS IN IGNITION. WHEN I COME BACK TO THE VEHICLE THE KEY WILL THEN TURN TO RELEASE. THEN ONTO THE NEXT STOP IT COMES OUT...IT CAME OUT EVERY OTHER STOP...THE ISSUE I HAD WHEN I BOUGHT IT WAS THAT THE OWNERS HAD A SPARE MADE BUT THEN LOST THE ORIGINALS, WELL THE SPARE WASNT EXACTLY MADE RIGHT AND IT HAS CAUSED SOME DAMAGE IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ORIGINAL KEY FROM KIA,,,AT $9.00. THIS WORKED BETTER, BUT LATELY THAT HAS BEEN STICKING AS WELL, AS ABOVE. SOME ONE TOLD ME TO SPRAY GRAPHITE OR CARBON INTO THE SWITCH...I CANT REMEMBER WHICH. WOULD CHANGING OUT THE SWITCH ENTIRELY HELP...AND DOES KIA HAVE THIS PART?

[mgbgt1972]

First of all there is no need to yell, I almost skiped your post because of the caps, but took pity on you! lol!

First check the key it's self for any damage, a burr or chip will cause what you describe, if the key is ok it sounds like the first key (non-kia) has scored the inside of the ignition, Yes changing out the whole switch should cure this, however you should try spraying some graphite into the lock, but from what you say, it sounds like there might be somthing inside the lock causing it to stick, a metal sliver most likely, try some contact cleaner or compressed air down inside the lock to see if you can blow any debris free, then try the graphite.

A new switch will cost you a couple of hundred bucks and at least a day in the shop, a can of air and some graphite will cost about ten and take 5 minutes to do, if it clears up you saved yourself a few hundred bucks.

Good luck

[Kats96sportage]

sorry for the caps, i like my caps and i wasnt yelling...sorry tho and thanks for the suggestion. is there a certain kind of graphite i need or just any kind will do? my new key is an original kia key that i had kia order for me, but that first one, that i only use in case of emergency...in case of acutally locking keys in car, even if they do come out...lol..it is such a hassle sometimes...but i will get me some graphite...thanks...and i am sorry for the caps!