key stuck in ignition
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers FL
key stuck in ignition
I got to work this morning, and went to take the key out, turned it toward me, but it didn't turn quite as far as it normally does......and it won't turn far enought to line up with the 'lock' arrow on the column. Is there a special trick or button to get it to unlock? I jiggled the steering wheel, shift ****......nothing.....
I dont' really like leaving the keys in my car all day.....
Thanks,
Adam
I dont' really like leaving the keys in my car all day.....
Thanks,
Adam
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Racine WI
I had a similar situation, all I had to do was jiggle the shifter (auto) so the button on top clicked into position all the way up, and the key could move to the lock position. Now it's a regular thing that I make sure that the shifter is fully into park and the shift button is all the way up.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 24
From: Hurst Texas
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
If you can turn it to start. start the car and move it backward/forward and try shifting into park again...
This worked for me...also seems like I almost always have to do the jiggle to insure button pops although after being very embarrased by not being able to remove key once I'm overly conscious of it.
This worked for me...also seems like I almost always have to do the jiggle to insure button pops although after being very embarrased by not being able to remove key once I'm overly conscious of it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers FL
Originally Posted by DFWLCJ
If you can turn it to start. start the car and move it backward/forward and try shifting into park again...
This worked for me...also seems like I almost always have to do the jiggle to insure button pops although after being very embarrased by not being able to remove key once I'm overly conscious of it.
This worked for me...also seems like I almost always have to do the jiggle to insure button pops although after being very embarrased by not being able to remove key once I'm overly conscious of it.
I had already tried that as well.......any other ideas?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Mass
Originally Posted by LSUgoTIGER
I had already tried that as well.......any other ideas?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers FL
well the key is stuck again......this time, driving around and parking again isn't helping. If the ignition is off, and the car is in park, I shouldn't be able to turn the wheel much right? it should lock......but it feels like I could probably still sorta turn it if I really tried, but without the power steering help. This isn't cool. what should I try next?
Adam
Adam
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by LSUgoTIGER
Beuhler? Beuhler? anyone? it's still stuck.
It says:
Inspect lock cylinder
Damaged rack.
Ignition switch is not set correctly.
The first two I'm NOT sure of, meaning I wouldn't know what to inspect to determine the status. The last one I'm still researching.
Another thing you might try is changing the position of the tilt.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Well from the best I can tell, it appears the lock cylinder might be the culprit. The only other thing I can think of is there should be some spray type graphite at the auto parts store you might try giving the lock cylinder a couple sprays and if you get the key out, give it another dose.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers FL
well Lani, I may have jinxed myself when someone on the forum asked: "what leaks on your vette", and I replied with "my eyes tend to leak a little every time I get near my car and have to pull out my wallet again"
I couldn't get the damn key out for anything, so I dropped it off at the shop today, and it's the shift-lock cable. I guess it's the linkage between the shifter and the ignition and it's broken. The part price wasn't bad...$60 including freight........it's the freakin labor. He quoted it at 5.9 hours (wierd number) which came to $582.37 for the labor.
So for now it seems, I'll be leaving the key in it. I'm just gonna take off any extra key rings and keys, and hopefully nobody will ever notice "hey theres a key in that empty vette there." The black part of the key showing, combined with the all black ignition and column and dash should camoflauge it pretty well. I can still lock the doors and get in though. I know it's not ideal, but it's getting to the point where every other month or so, it's $500 for this, and $600 for that, and I'm getting sick of it. A newer car is starting to creep into my thoughts.....
unless anyone else has any bright ideas....
Thanks.
Adam
I couldn't get the damn key out for anything, so I dropped it off at the shop today, and it's the shift-lock cable. I guess it's the linkage between the shifter and the ignition and it's broken. The part price wasn't bad...$60 including freight........it's the freakin labor. He quoted it at 5.9 hours (wierd number) which came to $582.37 for the labor.
So for now it seems, I'll be leaving the key in it. I'm just gonna take off any extra key rings and keys, and hopefully nobody will ever notice "hey theres a key in that empty vette there." The black part of the key showing, combined with the all black ignition and column and dash should camoflauge it pretty well. I can still lock the doors and get in though. I know it's not ideal, but it's getting to the point where every other month or so, it's $500 for this, and $600 for that, and I'm getting sick of it. A newer car is starting to creep into my thoughts.....
unless anyone else has any bright ideas....
Thanks.
Adam
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I understand your frustration. I go through the same things myself, seem like every weekend it is one thing or another and I never seem to get one foot ahead of it. A new vehicle (vette) is definitely on the horizon for me. Of course like all mechanical products there is no guarantee. Even brand new one's have problems and then you wait at the dealer for repairs.
I'm surprised you can lock it with the key still in there. That means once this cable is replaced you'll need to find out why the auto-unlock is not working, of course maybe the cable will fix that as well.
Maybe a couple bucks for one of those windshield blinds people stick inside their windshield will help deter anyone from seeing the key in there. I'll look for this in the FSM tonight to see what is the procedure and perhaps what are the issues with the installation.
Maybe it might be something you can do.
Oh yeah I dunno who made that post about leaks .... LOL
I'm surprised you can lock it with the key still in there. That means once this cable is replaced you'll need to find out why the auto-unlock is not working, of course maybe the cable will fix that as well.
Maybe a couple bucks for one of those windshield blinds people stick inside their windshield will help deter anyone from seeing the key in there. I'll look for this in the FSM tonight to see what is the procedure and perhaps what are the issues with the installation.
Maybe it might be something you can do.
Oh yeah I dunno who made that post about leaks .... LOL
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Originally Posted by LSUgoTIGER
I couldn't get the damn key out for anything, so I dropped it off at the shop today, and it's the shift-lock cable. I guess it's the linkage between the shifter and the ignition and it's broken. The part price wasn't bad...$60 including freight........it's the freakin labor. He quoted it at 5.9 hours (wierd number) which came to $582.37 for the labor.
You should try to see where the cable hooks to the shifter. I'll bet there is a plastic piece that fits in there and it is worn enough to where that cable just does not move that last .020". new plastic piece may cure your ills. During this learning process you may even encounter an adjustment to tighten the linkage. Remember, you only need about .020" more to get that key lock to move.
Last edited by jhammons01; Jun 14, 2006 at 12:46 PM.