key won't turn when it rains?

[_Will_]

whenever it's been raining outside and I go to start the bike the key simply doesn't want to turn. Nearly made me late today when I had to try repeatedly for almost 5 minutes sitting in a rain suit in the rain. I normally have to put some pretty good force into it and am concerned about the key breaking off leaving me in a wolrd of hurt. What's causing this (don't answer rain) and how can I fix it?

[thatkid]

Sounds like your Ignition lock could be dry, try some WD40 or oil in the lock. If that doesn't work the lock will need dismantling and lightly grease the lock/tumblers. Could also be worn tumblers and or lock.

Having been to Florida I've seen the rain you get there, I'd call it torrential. Your lock could be going from very warm to very cool causing the jamming. The lock is alloy the tumblers are brass, which expand/contract at different rates.

[_Will_]

torrential is a good word this time of year, I haven't seen completely dry roads in what seems like weeks. my rain suit is getting plent of usage. I've got some oil, I'll drop it in there and see if it helps out. I was near using a pair of pliers on it this morning but knew that would end with a broken off key.

[burns556]

get yourself a can of pb blaster its the best lubricant going its all iuse at work frees up everything under the sun

[yamaha_george]

WD40 to get the water out of the lock hole and then chain lube using the fine nozzle tube well down the key hole to force the grease into the works.

[_Will_]

Two applications or WD40 seem to have done the trick, it's so nice to be able to put the key in and go instead of sitting in the rain sweating in my rain suit

[haro504]

wd40 dries out so your gonna want to use a lubricant soon or you might get the same problem again

[thatkid]

I must agree with YG and haro,

If the ageing/worn lock & tumblers are getting wet they will corroded, when dry that corrosion will shrink/contract.
When rain water gets in the lock that corrosion will expand causing the lock to jam, wear the tumblers and eventually your key will not fit the lock.
Worn tumblers = the key will not work.

The WD40 will clear the corrosion, repel the water and is supposed to leave a protective layer. use some light oil to prevent further corrosion, jamming and wear on the tumblers.

[yamaha_george]

Will,
As H said WD40 dries out so do your self a favour & use the chain lube that turns to grease all my bikes that live in the ttropics with torrential rain & blistering sun get this treatment on a regular basis. I learned the hard way with a busted key and the PITA of having to dismantle the old style ball tweeker gas cap and then shake the broken key out and then dis-assemble the rusted lock clean each minute part re-assemble and MAKE a new key by hand.
Oh the nearest yamaha dealer was about 4000 miles away with a war zone in between which is why I had that as a headache.

[_Will_]

Oddly my gas cap doesn't have this problem, just the ingnition but I'll certainly be putting a little lube down in there to keep things turnig smooth. I'm so used to graphite for house and car locks but I could see that gumming up somewhere that routinely gets water in it

[sh0rty77]

Not really odd when you think about how many times you use your ignition key compared to tank.
Also it could be more the water running down your key straight into the barrel, as you dont ride around with the key hanging out your tank.

[scootjockey]

Just a thought, but I think it is a problem with the keyset itself. I have a 94 that has the same problem at times. As bullettproof as Yamahas are, they sometimes overlook the small stuff.

[_Will_]

Just a thought, but I think it is a problem with the keyset itself. I have a 94 that has the same problem at times. As bullettproof as Yamahas are, they sometimes overlook the small stuff.

not the key, the wd40 did work to remove the water and loosen it up.