Cant get the key out!! SOS!!

Hi

it might sound abit funny, but i cant turn the (ignition) key into off position ie i cant get the key out. (hope i got special unique key which i can get out from any position)
So it seems like that electronic blocking of key when car is not in "P" broke down.

Anyone knows how can i disconnect that electronic blocking or repair it? as its so annoying not beein able to turn the car off properly

Hope to get ur help soon

Thx

[lee]

Not much of an idea, but the only one I got so far...is the transmission gear indicator in the dash moving when the level is moved? If not, then the transmission position switch may be broken. I was still able to start and drive my car with mine broken, But I think it broke in the neutral position. If yours is somewhere else it "may" cause this kind of problem.

[elninoalex]

You can jump the cable going to the TCU into thinking it is in neutral. I can't remember the exact process, but you need to remove the plastic piece around the shifter and then look for a flat plug with four wires. Disconnect it and take the side not connected to the shifter and jump the 2 outisde wires, if I recall correctly. If not, just keep jumping 2 until you get the right combination. That should let you remove the key, if that was indeed the problem in the first place. Hope that helps at all.

Stephen

[svxsubaru1]

If your car is like mine i need a new ignition lock, the key just gets stuck in the ingnition i guess because the key is not a perfect match for the lock, it some times takes me 10 mins to get the key out i just wigle it around.

[Seraph]

I once put a 94 key into a 92 once. It took me a good 15 minutes or so to get it out. Just keep wiggling it till it comes out. When it does, look for a number on the side (if you have a original) and get a new one made by the dealer. If you don't a key number, dealer can make one from VIN.

[svxstarship]

There is a small pin located somewhere under the steering column when pushed on will release the key. Memory a bit rusty since it was a while ago that this happened to me after some rough driving over railroad tracks etc. There is some kind of reference to this pin in one of the shop manuals. I'll have a look tonight.

[Hangtownsvx]

It isn't too hard to dismantle the lock and remove that pin and then it will never happen again.

[Seraph]

You're talking about this right:

[svxistentialist]

Originally posted by 6evil9
Hi

it might sound abit funny, but i cant turn the (ignition) key into off position ie i cant get the key out. (hope i got special unique key which i can get out from any position)
So it seems like that electronic blocking of key when car is not in "P" broke down.

Anyone knows how can i disconnect that electronic blocking or repair it? as its so annoying not beein able to turn the car off properly

Hope to get ur help soon

Thx

Sergi

When my car was shipped from Japan, same problem. The cause of mine was loose wire connections at the ignition lock. This meant that the relay to let the key loose in the park position was not getting a signal.

Yours could be the same. Take off the cowl from the steering column [carefully!] Your ignition lock barrell is probably loose on the column. Tighten this up, and tighten all cables and block connectors attached to it. If it is an electrical fault, as I suspect, this should release it, unless one of your relays has gone wonky/bad earth. [you hear them clicking under the tunnel carpet as you move the gear selector]

Hope this helps

Joe

[svxistentialist]

Re-reading your post, yours is not exactly the problem I had. Your key will not turn to the release position, I take it.

In that case, Lee is right, I expect. These Florida guys are not all retirees, some of them are way SMART!

It could be the transmission position switch is broken, all right, or else that particular relay is not clicking. That circuit in any case is not letting you turn the key to the park or off position.

Joe

[NikFu S.]

this happens to me when the wheels are not straight. always make sure you straighten out the wheels and wiggle the steering before going deeper into the system.
start at the simplest solution. basic rule of troubleshooting and diagnostics.

i dont know whats wrong with your key im just putting this out there.

screw!

ok i disassembled (almost ) the shifter and everything around
ok got stuck with all connectors scratched hands... nice

lols then come back here and realize i got another 8 replies...

lols

ok my key is special i can get it out from any position... good on me, now i loved the key,

the key moves freely from on, acc, start positions but dont move to off position just like its locked
thats why i thought there is some kinda lock broken there
well i guess i better assemble the shifter back and look around the ignition lock
all i just want to do is disable that key lock which dont let to take the key out when the shifter is not on "D" or "N"

ill go assemble the shifter and give u more info.. as i dont rememebr if it clicks or not

ok pin located, moved key released

but
any way to fix it as switching pin every time i turn car off, trying to find it under steering column...

nah aint stily!



but im moving somewhere

dont laugh at me ok?

i disassmbled the shifter, ... that was pain... ok i went back read bout pin
assembled shifter (without 2 lost screws....)
ok dissasmbled the steering column...
geez who was that idiot who made it like that?? i got lost there what goes where, but anyways
my ignition lock is not even screwed to anywhere, just flying in da air.... no time now, but i assembled back and it works for some reason... lala..

anyways thx alot for ur effort

i can take key out now yay!

[svxistentialist]

Glad you got it sorted Sergi.

Joe