Could this be the cause?

[AndresParker]

After parking my car following a drive, I noticed the ignition key was unusually hot, a phenomenon I hadn't observed before. To investigate, I attempted to remove the chrome ring around the lock, but encountered difficulty due to its two slots on the outer edge. Is there a specific tool required for this task? During the recent trip, I had the fans and side lights on - could this be the cause of the key heating up? The switch and contacts appear relatively new and in good condition.

[mgcjag]

What model..Have a look here and follow the links...yes there is a tool or a pair of thin long nose pliers work..Steve viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18775&p=152094&hili ... EY#p152094

[max-it-out]

Same thing happened to me , so I bought a new ignition lock and key so I could change it if it burnt out . I also made a tool to unscrew the chrome ring using a small block of wood into which 2 small pins were inserted .

[DWW]

I had that happen to me too. The best solution I found was to install an ignition relay so the ignition key switch doesn’t take the entire current the car consumes. A 40A relay is required as result the key only activates the relay with minimal current.

[caveman]

Bezel Tool is what you need:
Moss USA:
https://mossmotors.com/37-2500-bezel-to ... s-switches
Moss Europe
https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/catalogse ... Bezel+tool

[cactusman]

Considering most folk may need the tool maybe once a year (lifetime!) max I would simply make one from a thin (1 mm thick) sheet of steel suitably notched and filed at the top as £28 for the flashy knurled one....really!
Or as others have suggested...thin long nose pliers or circlip pliers!

[Mich7920]

Hi,
Don't you have simply the "hot key" syndrome ?

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6885&hilit=Ignition+relay

I had this and put a relay as explain. Work fine now.

Mich

[Paul bow]

I had exactly this.. in fact the key got so hot it burned my hand to a blister getting it out!
It turned out to be feedback on the wiring loom ..
Nothing to do with the ignition barrel or key.