I recently purchased a 1990 Accord EX and occasionally have problems removing the key. Sometimes it takes 4-5 minute of trying before the cylinder will finally turn and you can remove the key. This problem seems to occur only during cold weather. The young lady I purchased the car from had mentioned this problem occuring during the winter months and had heard this was a common problem for this model. She said she carried an extra key to put in the "shift release" lock near the Automatic shift handle saying this helped remove the key. I have tried this technique but it does not seem to help.
Let me add that I live in sunny Florida so I am not reffering to extreme cold. This seems to ocur any time the temp drops below 55.
Can anyone help ???????

I recently purchased a 1990 Accord EX and occasionally have problems removing the key. Sometimes it takes 4-5 minute of trying before the cylinder will finally turn and you can remove the key. This problem seems to occur only during cold weather. The young lady I purchased the car from had mentioned this problem occuring during the winter months and had heard this was a common problem for this model. She said she carried an extra key to put in the "shift release" lock near the Automatic shift handle saying this helped remove the key. I have tried this technique but it does not seem to help.
Let me add that I live in sunny Florida so I am not reffering to extreme cold. This seems to ocur any time the temp drops below 55.
Can anyone help ???????
Tried turning the steering wheel to the left and right while twisting the key?

It definately needs some lubricant, but I would not just use any lubricant you find: it may be conductive and shorten you contacts. Try to talk to your local locksmith. Some of them are pretty knowledgeable.

Sam

Yes, but thanks for the input !!!!!!!

I will contact a local locksmith for advice on a lubricant.
Thanks !!!!!!

Before you do anything, answer a couple of questions. Is the P light lit when the shifter is in park and the key is in the on position? Do all the other lights showing shifter postion work?

The P light is lit when the vehicle is in park and all the other shifter position lights work.
Thanks

Well it is not the shifter position switch and this is the most common cause for not being able to remove the key. There is a key interlock solenoid that runs off the P contact which must be activated to remove the key.( The P contact in the shifter switch provides the ground for this solenoid through the key interlock control unit). It gets its power from the same fuse that powers the brake lights and they work, right? There is also a key interlock switch in the steering lock that has to work to provide power to the key interlock solenoid and the contol unit. So I guess it could be the key interlock switch or the key interlock control unit or the wiring associated with them. Power to the key interlock switch comes in on a wht/yel and leaves the steering column on the wht/red (solenoid) and wht/blu both going to the key interlock control unit then to ground on one wire (blk) and to the P contact grn/wht on the other. I don't know where the interlock control unit is located but it is under the dash on the driver's side somewhere.

One other question. Can you turn the key to the position where you normally remove it or just to the off position?

Try a little graphite, sprinked on the key, no0t squirted into the lock.

I will try all of the above and report back. I appreciate all the help!!!!!

I have found that the the key problem only occurs when the "P" (parking indicator light) does not light up. Thanks for everyones help !!!!!!

I recently purchased a 1990 Accord EX and occasionally have problems removing the key. Sometimes it takes 4-5 minute of trying before the cylinder will finally turn and you can remove the key. This problem seems to occur only during cold weather. The young lady I purchased the car from had mentioned this problem occuring during the winter months and had heard this was a common problem for this model. She said she carried an extra key to put in the "shift release" lock near the Automatic shift handle saying this helped remove the key. I have tried this technique but it does not seem to help.
Let me add that I live in sunny Florida so I am not reffering to extreme cold. This seems to ocur any time the temp drops below 55.
Can anyone help ???????

The problem is caused by a faulty shift-lock solonoid that could possibly be fixed for nothing. If anything like soda or coffee has been spilled on the gear shift, it can gunk up the wiring and what not. This will lower the continuity especially in cold weather. My suggestion would be to remove the council cover and try cleaning it.

nick, this thread is over one year old!!!

Sam