frozen ignition key switch

[chuck172]

I washed my tractor last week-end (trading). Seems like I got some water in the key ignition tumbler. It keeps freezing. I can't pull it in a heated area. Any way to de-ice this?
Would pouring alcohol in the key slot dry it out and stop the freezing?

 

[BethelHntr]

Hair dryer?

 

[flyerdan]

Hair dryer or heat gun if it is within extension cord reach, possibly a propane torch if it isn't, and the flame is kept well away from any plastic to avoid blistering. Get the ice melted enough to get the key in, run it to a work area where you can blow out the water with an air hose and dose it with WD-40 to displace any stubborn moisture still in there.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I washed my tractor last week-end (trading). Seems like I got some water in the key ignition tumbler. It keeps freezing. I can't pull it in a heated area. Any way to de-ice this?
Would pouring alcohol in the key slot dry it out and stop the freezing?

yes. You can get small aerosol cans of lock deicer made just for that. Check your local autoparts store.

 

[PILOON]

yes. You can get small aerosol cans of lock deicer made just for that. Check your local autoparts store.

Yep, and follow with a squirt or 2 of WD40

 

[coobie]

Maybe try lock deicer?

 

[Billrog]

Mine was froze today dumped some menthol hydrate on it and few secs. late I was good to go.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Heat the key up. Insert into ignition switch. Key should melt the ice. Repeat.

 

[Looking4new]

Heat the key up. Insert into ignition switch. Key should melt the ice. Repeat.

Then pound the lock de-icer to it.
After you get the switch thawed out and hopefully dry, then get some graphite and put that to it.

 

[Phil48]

If you can find a snowmobile key cover, it'll prevent those kinds of incident. Since then no more problem for me.

 

[chuck172]

I used the lock de-icer. Worked like a charm. No problem this morning with temps below 0. I guess it dried out all the moisture too. I won't be without this stuff anymore.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I had a little spray can of it for my car. Problem is, I kept it in the glove box.

That cost me one day.

 

[oosik]

Left ATV outside once - hot key - followed with WD40. Bigger problem here. There is a particular type of wasp that likes to make nest in small holes. Did it to my lawn mower - hot key into switch and believe me - key will not pull out unless you heat it again.