key will not start car HELP

[oldschool914]

So I had my Grandson play in my car...I know bad idea, I have no idea what it hit but the key was on the accss. spot when he pulled the key, now the key will not move out of that position? so it won't start or go to the off position...help

[LittleHoov]

So he managed to actually pull the key out with in it in the ACC position? Or are you saying its stuck in the ACC position and wont start or let you turn back to OFF?


If the key is stuck in the ACC position and wont start or turn back to OFF, the first that comes to mind is make sure that the gear selector is properly in PARK. Then try it in neutral, maybe take it out of park and put it back in, etc, etc.

If he ripped the key out when it was in the ACC position, Im not sure what that would do, but Im pretty sure it wouldnt be good.

[oldschool914]

yeah in the acc position, so all the stuff is on? car was not running at the time, it was on park? I put the key in but it will not move to the left or right?

[LittleHoov]

Well the reason I asked about it being in park is because there is a cable that connects to the back of the ignition switch that is somehow connected to the shift linkage and will only allow you to remove the key when the vehicle is in park or neutral. For example if youre in drive and you turn the car off while still in drive, you cant turn the key all the way back to "off" and remove it, you have to put it in park or neutral first. But sounds like thats not your issue.

I was under the impression that the key was stuck in the ignition, but from reading your descriptions again, it sounds like it is not. So I was barking up the wrong tree with that one.

It could be that the lock cylinder inside the ignition switch has been damaged somehow. I really dont know. If youre feeling adventurous the ignition switch isnt TOO hard to remove (its not necessarily easy either). I posted a write-up on it myself a few years back...since then a user by the name of krivasauto (i may not have spelled that write) made a write up with LOTS of pictures, and his is much better than mine...if you search for ignition switch in this forum you should eventually find both items.

As for your stuff being on, it could be that your battery is already dead depending on how long it was like that before you discovered it...a good test to see whether or not it really is in the ACC position is to try the radio, as it will come on and stay on as long as the battery will provide power to it.

Also if the lock cylinder truly is in the ACC position, you should be able to shift out of park WITHOUT touching the brake pedal, which normally you shouldnt be able to do, or at least I cant in my car...unless its in the ACC position.

I suppose its possible your grandson might have turned the key one direction or another hard enough to damage something in there....is he old enough to interrogate?

[oldschool914]

yes I can move the shifter and yes the radio gos on and i pulled the battery before it went died. Funny thing I was sitting right there all he did was pull the key? hes only 20month

[oldschool914]

Thanks to all and to the dude with all the nice photos....I pulled the the bad unit took it over to a lock smith he fix it for $30.....the new one was going to cost me $180