C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Key doesn’t come out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 04:59 AM
  #1  
Vette1974IT's Avatar
Vette1974IT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
Default Key doesn’t come out

Hi guys, my Vette finally arrived and I am super excited. Car looks good with minor things to do but… I have a problem.
the key doesn’t exit. The vendor told me that the key was not locked in the car so it’s me.
adding a video

ps its a C3 1974
Attached Files
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 05:26 AM
  #2  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

I won't even consider looking at your video. But could the reverse lockout cable be out of adjustment? Disconnected?
photos, I'll look at as you can post them up.
Going to a YouTube thing, well, others on here will.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 08:21 AM
  #3  
71 Green 454's Avatar
71 Green 454
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Is it in Park, or Reverse if 4 speed? If so, open the hood and look at the reverse lock out arm. It needs to be in the up position to remove the key.





Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 09:59 AM
  #4  
Vette1974IT's Avatar
Vette1974IT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by 71 Green 454
Is it in Park, or Reverse if 4 speed? If so, open the hood and look at the reverse lock out arm. It needs to be in the up position to remove the key.


the car is 4 speed manual.
is it something I can do from above?
thanks
andrea
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 10:14 AM
  #5  
Bigredwing's Avatar
Bigredwing
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Navy
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
Default

Not in a Vette, but I had a Ford Explorer that the actual key mechanism/switch broke and would not let the key release. Good luck.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 10:15 AM
  #6  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 2,468
From: Indiana
Default

make sure steering wheel not tensioned to one side or another. try after centering no tension.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 10:50 AM
  #7  
71 Green 454's Avatar
71 Green 454
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Vette1974IT
the car is 4 speed manual.
is it something I can do from above?
thanks
andrea
Put it in reverse and take a photo of the lockout lever. Sometimes the cable binds up at the transmission...happened to me.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 11:02 AM
  #8  
Vette1974IT's Avatar
Vette1974IT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by 71 Green 454
Put it in reverse and take a photo of the lockout lever. Sometimes the cable binds up at the transmission...happened to me.
can you please circle, in the picture above, which is the cable, in order to do the right picture? I will post it asap
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 11:03 AM
  #9  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,728
Likes: 2,579
Default

Originally Posted by Vette1974IT
the car is 4 speed manual.
is it something I can do from above?
thanks
andrea
The key only comes out with the transmission in Reverse.
If it still does not come out when in reverse pull up on the arm that has the cable attached to it. Just open the hood to access it.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 11:18 AM
  #10  
Vette1974IT's Avatar
Vette1974IT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by MelWff
The key only comes out with the transmission in Reverse.
If it still does not come out when in reverse pull up on the arm that has the cable attached to it. Just open the hood to access it.
you are a genius. It worked. Thank you my friend
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2024 | 11:24 AM
  #11  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,728
Likes: 2,579
Default

Originally Posted by Vette1974IT
you are a genius. It worked. Thank you my friend
You are bound to have other questions. Read a copy of the owners manual.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Key doesn’t come out





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:37 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE