I went to start my 1993 loyale 5 speed wagon and the key snapped right off in the ignition! thank God it was in front of my house. None the less this is a shame and I need to be able to start my car.

 

If anyone can give me advise on how to get this broken key out I would really appreciate it, (I have a spare key, so if I could get the old one out I would be in good shape.)

I never had this problem...   Maybe a dental pick?  Maybe a fish hook unbent and the end ground so the little barb can sneak in and grab?  Make sure the wheel lock isn't holding against the key turning.

I think the only way to remove the key is to remove the ignition switch from the column.  Fairly sure then the switch can be taken apart.  

I was going to suggest a dental pick. Short of that you might have to remove the lock cylinder and open it up on the bench.

Edited November 12, 20178 yr by Crazyeights

I'm not sure how to remove the lock cylinder. 

 

but I will definitely try using some kind of a pick or thin wire and a magnet and see if I can finagle it out.

it broke about halfway down on the key so I'm sure it will be a real challenge!

 

thank you for the suggestions  

Oh, that's nasty...  A magnet will do nothing, keys are not steel or iron.

Actually, this is a good thing to notice - make copies of your keys, now.  Save the original as a master, never use it.

When the copy starts showing signs of wear, take the master, and get a new copy.

@DaveT

 

No wonder I've never had any luck with that method  

Edited November 12, 20178 yr by Crazyeights

I'm not sure how to remove the lock cylinder. 

 

 

Remove the plastic cover behind the steering wheel.  Then remove the 2 headless bolts.  Headless?  It's a security thing.  Not very tight. Slot the bolts and use a screwdriver to remove or use a left-handed drill bit to spin them out. 

You might be able to use the end of the broken key to start it i dont know if it would come out even if you pulled the cylinder you might have to go the screwdriver in the key hole method or buy a new cylinder and key sometimes the cylinders are open on the back sometimes there not my vw bus has never had keys since ive owned nither has my scout it i just never lock them and have a secondary ignition switch and no stearing lock in 15 years it hasent been a issue on ether rig

Call a locksmith. They'll be able to pull it out without damaging the lock or key, and they'll be able to cut you a new key from the broken piece.

I suggest tiling the car on its side...... Jk but on a serious note when my old key broke off deep in the cylinder I lowered down the steering column, disconnected the shaft and put it on a bench flat with key facing down. A few light taps with a rubber mallet knocked it out. Sometimes this works others it wont. I'd rather spend 20 mins attempting to knock it out rather than paying a locksmith an hourly rate.

I actually had this happen on a 92 legacy. If you can makeshift a very small piece of wire with a slight hook at the end you may be able to get it down the side where the key cutout is and jimmy it up to get ahold of it. I cant recall exactly what I used to make my "keyhook" but I do remember it was a pain and took some patience to get it out.

i've noticed the GL/Loyale OEM keys are made out of softer metal that can just twist if you try to open a paint can with it, yes i know let me go slap myself for doing that to an old subaru key, but seems that Subaru knew about this and improved greatly on the legacy and impreza keys.

 

-if it was an aftermarket key, don't know on the quality of those...

Edited November 15, 20178 yr by Subasaurus

All of the oem and copies I have are brass, which is a common metal for keys. The Subaru ones are a little.on the thinner / narrower side, so they can wear out in less than 20 years... Some profiles are quicker to wear than others also.

Get a shop vacuum or call up your old girl friend who could suck start a leaf blower.

well I made a hook with a peace of 1mm steel wire... that didn't work at all so then I went ahead and removed the lock cylinder and still couldn't get the key out. so at this point I think my next move will be to go to the scrap yard and pull a lock cylinder off another loyale then pay a locksmith to make a key for it and then finally install it onto my car.

hopefully that will work.

Now that the lock cylinder is out you might be able to move the tumblers unuff  to get the key out

well I couldn't remove the key so I ended up salvaging a lock cylinder from the scrap yard and then payed a locksmith to key it to my car

now I am up and running again!

 

thank you everyone for all the advice!

????Good Job man!????