Key Stuck! HELP

My key is stuck in the ignition. The car turns on, i just cannot pull out the key. I've had to park my car at work with key still stuck in the ignition until I can get this matter resolved. The key is a regular key, does not have a chip. Please help, any suggestions r greatly appreciated.

not to offend, but a search of "key stuck" turned up 5 hits. try this thread:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=360338&highlight=key+stuck

I saw another thread with a simliar title, so do a search on those keywords, I'm sure that's a good place to start.

SOSLTER

I've been meaning to add this to the FAQ's since this has popped up a could of times in the last month. And it is there now.

Sounds like the teeth on the inside of the ignition lock are broken, and cannot let the key out. You need to replace the ignition lock cylinder and replace the keys. Only way to do it.

Sounds like the teeth on the inside of the ignition lock are broken, and cannot let the key out. You need to replace the ignition lock cylinder and replace the keys. Only way to do it.


no.

Hey everyone thanks for the advice. But one thing I did not mention is that I was able to get the key out once I opened up the panel under the steering wheel, but it happend again. I just need to try to figure what to do so it won't happen again. I'm gonna try a couple of things and I'll check back.

Hey everyone thanks for the advice. But one thing I did not mention is that I was able to get the key out once I opened up the panel under the steering wheel, but it happend again. I just need to try to figure what to do so it won't happen again. I'm gonna try a couple of things and I'll check back.

There is an ignition lock cable that runs from under the steering wheel to under the floor console shifter. If the cable binds up on anything the key will not release. Removing that panel may have moved that cable enough to release the key. Try to reposition the cable if it happens again.
G/luck!
Joel

I've had that happen to me about 2 years ago. Dealer fixed it no charge because it was under warranty. Had something to do with a cable (somewhere) LOL
~Ammie

Hey Pal I Had The Same Problem A Couple Times Myself, On My 01 Rodeo, I Found That The Gear Shifter Was Not Locking In The Park Postion, Played Around With Shifter And Finaly Locked, By Locked I Mean You Have To Pit Your Foot On The Brake To Realese. But I Think Its A Problem With The Shifter Linkage,



I

Hey Pal I Had The Same Problem A Couple Times Myself, On My 01 Rodeo, I Found That The Gear Shifter Was Not Locking In The Park Postion, Played Around With Shifter And Finaly Locked, By Locked I Mean You Have To Pit Your Foot On The Brake To Realese. But I Think Its A Problem With The Shifter Linkage,



I

Same here, I just worry that this may lead to a bigger problem over time and eventually I won't be able to get the key out at all....

I had this happen to me. There is a black cable that runs from the steering column to the shifter. You can push up on the cable and it will release the keep, however it will continue to lock until you get it fixed. I took it to the dealer and they had to take the dash out to replace screw that came out, I believe it cost me about $200 bucks. Of course most of it was labor.:eek:

I was able to find a pattern on how to remove the keys from my friend's 98 auto Passport.

- Press and hold the button on the shifter with your thumb.
- Turn the key counterclockwise (towards the lock position) with light pressure. You will hear or feel something engaging inside the switch assembly
- Release the button on the shifter
- Voila! I was able to fully turn the key to the lock position.

This is only a workaround to remove the keys. I will try to do the following in order and see which one will fix it.
1. I will try a duplicate or the spare key and see if I could remove it easily.
2. I will try to look at the black cable that runs from the steering column to the shifter
3. Replace the ignition lock.

I had this problem and ended up taking everything apart and figuring out how it works to get it fixed. The problem can either be electrical or mechanical.

http://www.lambson.net/imagebin/af1.jpg
Image1

There are four main components in the electrical part of this sytem: 1) the stop light switch above the brake pedal 2) the selector park switch inside the selector housing 3) a relay switch that connects to the two aforementioned switches and 4) a solenoid that interfaces with the mechanical side of the system.

http://www.lambson.net/imagebin/af3.jpg
Image2

To check the relay switch, replace it with one from under the hood (I used the headlight one). To check the switches, activate each one seperately while listening to the relay switch. Each one should cause the relay to click. To check the solenoid remove the cover around the selector and look to see if it is operating. It should engage when the brake is depressed or released.

The mechanical side of the system consists of a mechanism in the steering column connected to a cable that runs to the selector. It keeps you from A) being able to remove the key unless the selector is switched to park and B) being able to put the car in gear without the key switched to on.

http://www.lambson.net/imagebin/af2.jpg
Image3

If the cable is too tight (short), the keys will get stuck in the ignition. If it is too loose (long) then you will be able to shift the car into gear with the keys switched to off.

There is an adjustor on the selector end of the cable that will allow you to prevent either from happening (see Image2 above). To adjust the cable, detach it from the selector mechanism and unmount the adjustor. Remove the lock from the adjustor. There are tabs on either side holding it into place (see Image4).

http://www.lambson.net/imagebin/af4.jpg
Image4

Remount the adjustor and reconnect the cable to the mechanism. Put the key in the ignition switch (if it isn't stuck there already) and then turn it to the on position. Grab the cable housing near the ajustor and pull it away from the adjustor. This will cause the mechanism in the steering column to push flush against the pin that pops up from the ignition switch. Put the adjustor lock back into place and push it in firmly. It is designed to pull the cable housing into the adjustor to allow just the right amount of slack in the cable.

That should do it!

if the above post by alphabakada (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=501809) is verified by another, this info and photos (especially if they can be made larger) seems like a perfect candidate for addition to the FAQ, imo. good info. thanks.

//bc

I added it to the FAQ/s

Revised earlier post and added larger photos as requested.

I will confirm that this will resolve the OP's issue b/c I just got done doing it. Just be careful when removing the lock collar from the adjuster b/c it's pretty flimsy. Actually, it takes more time removing the console stuff then adjusting the cable.

I figure this one has already been put to bed but if I can help someone else having similar problems then so be it.
When the key is stuck and will not come out of the ignition, take off the 5 screws holding the plastic around the steering column.
Then open it up and look above the area where the key is and towards your dashboard.
Press the button on your gear shifter repeatedly you will see a white colored block moving back and forward, get a screwdriver behind it and gently lever it towards the steering wheel and then turn the key.
This worked for me until I could get a permanent fix for it.

i found the problem... the cable that connects the ignition to the shifter has a little white (color may vary) button that prevents the key from coming out. i think it might be some kind of safety switch, but i don't really know. anyway, all you have to do is take off the steering wheel cover. not hard just a couple of screws. the cover might be a little tricky to pop off but all i did was push the sides of the cover and it snaps apart. don't worry, it will snap back together. then you will have access to the cable and the button. grab the cable from the back of the ignition and give a little push. the button will then pop out and you will have your key. hope this helps.

I had the same problem of not being able to remove the key from my 96 Rodeo. Another symptom was that I was able to shift the gear shifter into gear without pressing on the brake pedal.

I removed the cover from the gear shifter (4 screws) and found that when you shift into park there is a blue disk that presses against a limit switch. I pressed a flat screwdriver against the limit switch to make contact and the key was then able to be removed. Maybe the contacts were oxidized and the electrical connection wasn't occurring. Now to shift into gear I need to press on the brake pedal and the key is no longer stuck.

Decided to post this because I have not found this solution anywhere on line. Good luck! ( Love my Rodeo!):runaround: