Key stuck diagnosis.

[cobiker]

After getting my key stuck in the ignition for the Nth time, I decided to open up my shifter area after reading another post that there could be a problem with the shift interlock controller or switch.
After taking off the center console cover and the shift cover, this is more or less how it looks like.

The white box in the upper middle is the shift interlock controller, and the other white box under the rusty metal bracket on the upper right is the shift unlock switch.

Remove the bolts holding the plastic shifter cover and lift it out of the way. On the rights side of the shifter assembly, under the cover, this is what you'll see.
This is the what I call the shift lock. The metal stud attached to the shifter will engage the white plastic catch and lift it up in Park. This white catch is attached to a switch which will release your key.
Here is closeup of the area (Shifter in R)

Here it is in proper park position.

Over time, the shifter and the white catch become slightly loose, and the metal stud will miss the catch when you go to park.

In this position, the key will not be released.

As long as the catch is engaged, the key came out every time during the operation. Just to test if there were problems other than the non-engaging catch, I pushed the catch up in other gears and the key came out. So my problem really was not a fault in the switch, but the metal stud missing the catch in Park.

On my end, after seeing how it works, I just tightened some of the shifter lever bolts (one of the bolts for the shifter cover was missing) and pushed the metal stud more towards the right side. With things snugged up a little, I thought the stud should engage the catch/switch more consistently.

I didnt do much, but now that I know how it all mechanically works, I can probably just push the shifter more to the right to make sure it engages the switch.

To be tested further, and Im thinking of a more permanent solution, but I think it should do for now.

Hope this helps.

 

[rbdhd]

This was a great help for me to get in a nd see if I have the same problem (sure it is). Did you find a more permanent solution?

Dave

 

[trulli3300]

There was a thread on this last month.

This was discussed last month in this forum. I went through the same thing after unknowingly loosening my shifter assembly(two screws on front of shifter). I tried to explain the fix but did not take photos like you did. The fix is to tighten the shifter assembly properly while pushing downwards on it. If the button on top is not down far enough when you push it in, it will not catch that hook like assembly, which is necessary for the "P" position. Its not bad but its not really documented so you may be guessing what to do for a long time.

 

[cobiker]

Trulli is right. Just tightening it all up did the trick. I've probably got the key stuck only 2-3 times since the fix and then all I did was shift back to D then back to P while pushing the shifter towards the right/passenger side. Key out every time in one try.

 

[rbdhd]

I have noticed if I push the shifter to the right/passenger side when the key is stuck it seems to help but I figure I'm going to need to take off the shifter cover and see if everything needs to be tightening.

Anyone have tips on how to remove the shifter cover?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[clin9383]

hi guys, this was great to find! I am having this issue and thought about buying the part 33805-35020 and replacing. I have not gotten around to buying it but it sounds like if i just tighten things up, it should be good? or would it be better to just buy this part and replace? i think i heard it was like 20 bucks? thanks for the pics!

 

[jcush87]

I know this is kinda old, but this is what was wrong in my 96'. I tried cleaning everything up and re-tightening it all, but I still had the key lock up because that peg wasn't grabbing the white plastic sensor. Also, the rod that actuates that peg is directional, it was reversed 180 degrees and caused a rough feeling on the top button and also didn't always move the peg.

Be careful if you pull the shift handle off, i pulled out the overdrive switch wires and had to solder some new ones in.

I ended up just disconnecting the plug that the switch feeds into. Now I dont have to worry about a stuck ignition, only someone putting the car in park while I am rolling. because the piece that prevents that is also unplugged.

I hope this helps someone else!

 

[rbdhd]

Well, three years later and my problem is now to the point I need to fix this. First I wanted to know how do I remove center console cover and then in the instructions you said to remove the bolts holding the plastic shifter cover. What part is that? Then I need to know what needs to be tightened to get that pin in the white slot.

Please let me know if there are any tips or things I need to look out for when doing this.

Thanks for the help! I just want to be sure I get it correct and not end up cost myself a ton more for some stupid mistake. I know I can do that if I'm not sure what I'm doing.

Thank you folk!
Dave

 

[Reef Inmate]

RE Key stuck

I had all of a sudden developed the same problem. After viewing this tread I stripped the centre console to get to the switch on the the shifter. I could find nothing wrong with it even after removing the switch and manualy actuating it by hand the key would still be intermittently stuck in the ACC position and the only way I could get it out was to disconnect the battery. I have resorted to removing the solenoid/plunger on the bottom of the ignition switch assembly. I can now remove my key. I am not sure if this will cause any other problems. I have not disconnected any electrical circuits, only removed the mechanical locking mechanism.
Any comments regarding this appreciated.

 

[Reef Inmate]

Just took my car for a drive to town and it seems fine. I think my fix may be a better option.

 

[cyclops13]

I had all of a sudden developed the same problem. After viewing this tread I stripped the centre console to get to the switch on the the shifter. I could find nothing wrong with it even after removing the switch and manualy actuating it by hand the key would still be intermittently stuck in the ACC position and the only way I could get it out was to disconnect the battery. I have resorted to removing the solenoid/plunger on the bottom of the ignition switch assembly. I can now remove my key. I am not sure if this will cause any other problems. I have not disconnected any electrical circuits, only removed the mechanical locking mechanism.
Any comments regarding this appreciated.

I have this done since months now. No issues, just make sure that you shift to P before removing the key.

 

[rbdhd]

I have this done since months now. No issues, just make sure that you shift to P before removing the key.

So how do I remove the mechanical locking mechanism? I'll see if this is an option for me as it is getting really bad now. The other night it was 25 mins. before I could get my key out.

D

 

[Reef Inmate]

Remove the plastic cover below the steering wheel to gain access to the ignition switch. There are two screws holding the key lock to the ignition. I took one out and backed off the other, moved the lock out the way and tigntened the screws again keeping the lock connected to the circiut so as not cause any other electrical issues. In other words the key lock is still there just moved away. Hope it makes sense. I can talke some pics if you dont coem right.

 

[rbdhd]

Remove the plastic cover below the steering wheel to gain access to the ignition switch. There are two screws holding the key lock to the ignition. I took one out and backed off the other, moved the lock out the way and tigntened the screws again keeping the lock connected to the circiut so as not cause any other electrical issues. In other words the key lock is still there just moved away. Hope it makes sense. I can talke some pics if you dont coem right.

Well, I had the truck in for state inspection and emissions and they told me the issue was the ignition needed replaced. They wanted $450. to do the work; I said no thanks! I will deal with it later. Got home and it was 25 minutes before I had to disconnect the battery to get the key free.
I was looking and if you don't mind taking the pictures for me I will do what you did to stop this issue. I'm not sure what exactly I need to do so the pictures will help. Sorry, no much mechanical skills here.
Thank you.
Dave

 

[Grenvilleter]

After fighting with mine for a month or two, I ended up clipping the striped wire in the shifter switch shown in the photo above. It's the one on extreme right hand side of 3 wires going into the switch. That wire is the one that actuates the ignition solenoid that prevents you from turning the ign switch completely off.

 

[bufferdan]

After pumping up the rear drive shaft slip yoke with grease i started encountering the stuck key ordeal. I noticed when i greased up the yoke it was pushing my transmission towards the front of the car. So i got underneath it again and pumped up the front drive shaft and noticed the transmission pushed towards the back some. Every since then i haven't had anymore stuck keys! :dizzy:

 

[rbdhd]

After fighting with mine for a month or two, I ended up clipping the striped wire in the shifter switch shown in the photo above. It's the one on extreme right hand side of 3 wires going into the switch. That wire is the one that actuates the ignition solenoid that prevents you from turning the ign switch completely off.

I wanted to know if doing this would cause any issues with the safety inspections done in Virginia? If so I could do the other option of dropping the solenoid on the ignition I would like to see those photos before I did that.

Dave

 

[rbdhd]

Well, I went ahead and cut the wire and so far today I've not had the problem. Seems better. One day isn't long but I know before the key would have been stuck a few times by now.

Dave

 

[alumarine]

After fighting with mine for a month or two, I ended up clipping the striped wire in the shifter switch shown in the photo above. It's the one on extreme right hand side of 3 wires going into the switch. That wire is the one that actuates the ignition solenoid that prevents you from turning the ign switch completely off.

I was going to clip that wire as well but wanted to keep the safety interlock as mine worked most of the time.

I decided to install a momentary normally closed switch by my ignition that will bypass that green wire with the white stripe when I push it.

That way if I forget to tell someone about it they should be able to figure it out.

I cut the green wire with white stripe near the connector to the left of the shifter.

Thanks for pointing out which wire!

 

[weezykid]

Had this issue with my 96 in 2012. Returned home from a work trip to Germany to find that my key was sticking. I did as most have and tore the shifter housing apart and accessed the issue. Tried tightening everything up, but it did not help much for me. Even tried a little lube and that did not help either. My solution was to zip tie the plunger in the fully extended position since my pin was not catching the white plastic plunger. The zip tie in the fully extended position has solved my problem and has been going strong since.