Key doesn't want to go into LOCK position

[duffbeer911]

Hi,
just started having this problem a few days ago ... the ignition key doesn't want to go into LOCK. It moves completely fine to all the other positions. It is an automatic and I think it is something with not recognising it is in Park so doesn't want to go to LOCK.
If I go in and out of park a few times it might then work ... but it is getting worse and worse and sometimes takes ages to do it.

Anyone had this problem before? any ideas on solving it?

thanks

 

[muttbutt]

I had this problem a little bit a couple weeks ago.. was also noticing that it was harder to put it into park (needed an extra push to click it in) and all I did was keep turning it back and fourth, playing with the steering wheel, anything I could think of until it went in... don't know what caused it but it slowly went away and I haven't had problems since!

I have no idea what causes it but yes I have had this happen to me too

 

[duffbeer911]

ok thanks for the reply ... it seems pretty random when it happens. I'll give it a few days and see if it sorts itself out.

 

[Doc2012]

Try adjusting the shift linkage.

 

[Castaway]

I had the same problem. Completely random and sporadic occurrences. I just carried two keys with me for about 3 months and left one in when it wouldn't let me take the key out (I was in a small town in Mississippi where we can still do that and have no one mess with the truck, most of the time). My parents got it for about a month when I moved back to University, and they had it fixed within a week and a half.

According to what I was told: there is a sensor that registers the position of the shift lever that unlocks the ignition, and it was failing. The mechanic bypassed the sensor completely instead of replacing it because he said it was unnecessary and a pain to change. So now I can turn off the truck and take the key out with the truck in gear. I look at it this way, I've not got insurance if I ever get car jacked; I can just reach over, turn off the truck, and throw away the key whenever I need to.

 

[duffbeer911]

ok thanks again for the advice. Conveniently, my key can come out of the ignition in any position ... engine running or not. So the main reason to fix this issue is just so I don't leave the radio or other accessories on and drain the battery.

I'll give it a day or two and if it is still playing up I'll look for that sensor