Help!! Keys stuck in the ignition

[XT6Wagon]

My SVX is hell bent on getting completely dead....

It looks like a shift interlock or something broke as now it won't allow me to turn the ignition back past acc so I can remove the key. I also have to push the button to release the lock to move the shifter...

Any ideas?

One might also note the battery was 110% dead at this time.

[Manarius]

Is the wheel cocked a certain direction? It may be that the wheel lock is engaged. In that case, you need to push the wheel the direction it's cocked in a bit further to release the tension on the lock and then turn the key.

[XT6Wagon]

$60 later for a new battery I got the key out. I guess there is something in the system that needs a bit of power to operate.

[SVeXy96]

Thats interesting....for a second I thought you had a mystery key like I do. About a year ago my key was stuck in the ignition for an entire day!!! Everytime I would park somewhere I would yank and jerk and jiggle and nothing...anyway later that night it finally came out and its never happened since!

[It's Just Eric]

I remember having a bit of an ignition problem....With the steering colum trim off, you can reach a jiggly thingy that lets the key out.

Thats about all the knowlege I can give ya..sorry

[decalsvx]

Thirteen years after this post I have a similar problem: Intermittently ignition key will not move past accessory position. Wait a minute, maybe 10, and key removes. Dealer replaced key cylinder, problem recurred. Locksmith hired by dealer replaced interlock, problem recurred. Dealer inspected the shift plate in the console because sometimes they warp and lose contact, even on new Subarus. No warp. Spending this money not a problem because I can afford it and have been replacing the car piecemeal for years; however, this is infuriating. Beginning to suspect the security system. I'm original owner; never used the stupid security system. Sometimes it decides to turn itself on. Sometimes it's off and sounds the alarm. Idiot light in the dash switch never seems to know what state it's in. If you disconnect the security system will the car run? If so, how do you do it?

[lsupcar]

What year is your car?
I have a '92, and thinking back to my first few years of ownership, the security system was strange in the way it was designed to operate from the factory. I had something done to it way back then, probably through a recall/TSB, which simplified its operation and eliminated unintended activation.
Maybe something like that would help.

[decalsvx]

The electrical connector in the console under the shift lever loosens or gets dirty or corrodes. One consequence is an ignition key that gets stuck in the accessory position and will not come out, then will after wait time. The connector is accessed under a trim cover (see attachments). I did not try to remove and reseat it. It takes a tool I do not have. I did spray it with electronic contact cleaner, tapped it lightly and pushed as hard as I could with my finger. Seems to have worked for the last six weeks, much beyond the frequency with which the original problem occurred.

[immortal_suby]

Thanks, good to know. These security systems seem to have a mind of their own. In the picture it looks like you can just push down on a tab to pull that plug out - is that not the case?

Mine turns itself on all the time and then the battery drains or it randomly starts honking the horn when the battery gets low. I have added a solar panel trickle charger and that seemed to help.