Key is stuck

[martyward]

I have a 2000 Solara and the key won't come out. I have tried everything and the only thing that works is disconnecting the battery. As soon as the battery is disconnected the key will come right out and as soon as I reconnect it the key gets stuck again. I have been driving it this way for several days. The biggest problem is that I can't lock the door while the key is in the ignition so I have to leave my car as a sitting duck for car thieves. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ultimate X]

Originally Posted by martyward

The biggest problem is that I can't lock the door while the key is in the ignition so I have to leave my car as a sitting duck for car thieves. Any help would be appreciated.

now why would you leave your car with the key in the ignition

[Brian R.]

Apparently, he finds it inconvenient to remove the battery cable every time he parks at a store, or at work, or at home, or when visiting, etc.

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by martyward

I have a 2000 Solara and the key won't come out. I have tried everything and the only thing that works is disconnecting the battery. As soon as the battery is disconnected the key will come right out and as soon as I reconnect it the key gets stuck again. I have been driving it this way for several days. The biggest problem is that I can't lock the door while the key is in the ignition so I have to leave my car as a sitting duck for car thieves. Any help would be appreciated.

Have you tried using a different key?

Have you tried putting some graphite powder into the ignition switch?

Have you tried pulling fuses? If pulling a fuse will solve the problem, then you have found the circuit causing the problem. Then you can isolate the issue further. Possibly a bad ignition switch or a bad key.