I've had some ignition switch experiece with other, more older vehicles, but not with a Rover, yet. I've also worked with household door locks too. The question is, Why won't the key come out, and how can I get it out? I would assume your headlights are in daytime running light mode with the key in the accessory position.
Is the key stuck in accessory only, or can you turn it ahead and start the vehicle? If so, I would say the problem lies with the key itself. If not, then the problem might be the lock cylinder and/or the pins inside it. What condition is your key in? Is it twisted? Are the humps and indents smoothing or rounding out? When this happens, the pins in the cylinder don't line up proper and can cause difficulty in turning the lock cylinder. So if you get the key out, get a newer better key. The pins themselves can also wear out over time, which are much harder to fix. There could also be some crude rammed up inside the cylinder. If the cylinder is aluminum, it could be oxidizing inside causing a buildup as well.
Did this problem just present itself or have you had key problems (loose or sticky) in the recent past?
Try the good old key jiggle technique, but whatever you do, don't force it! You could break the key off inside! Suck to be you when that happens.
At any rate, you have to get that key out. Does your rover have an airbag in the wheel? If so, I would highly recommend that you don't monkey with the column and get a qualified locksmith with experience in air bag equipped columns. (Are there any Locksmiths out there on this forum??) A good locksmith should be cheaper and should do just as good, if not better job then the stealership would. Most stealerships would probally sub the job out to the locksmith anyway if they couldn't do it themselves.
If you don't have an airbag, then it's possible to get inside the column and remove the lock cylinder by removing or depressing a locking pin that holds the cylinder in place. At least, thats what I was able to do in other makes of vehicles. DON'T DO THIS IF YOU HAVE LITTLE OR NO EXPERINCE IN WORKING WITH SMALL PARTS. YOU COULD REALLY SCREW SOMETHING UP - AND THEN YOU WOULD BLAME ME! If the lock cylinder is removeable, then it can be replaced with another cylinder and key from a donor vehicle or a new unit altogether. Then of course, you would have to rekey your door locks if you didn't have a duplicate of your original key. It's also possible to further dismantle the lock cylinder itself, but then your dealing with tiny pins and itsy bitsy little springs and if you don't get them back in the right order YOUR SCREWED AGAIN! AND YOU WOULD BLAME ME!
So, with that all said, look for a good locksmith or just call the stealership!!!!
