Key Stuck in Ignition!! need urgent help

[Tucson4runner]

i having been having problems lately getting my key out of the ignition when i turn the car off. i assumed it was because the car wasnt fully in park but now its becoming worse. i will shift all the way in park and even push the shifter up as im trying to pull the key out and it still doesnt work. some one told me to shift into neutral and i could get the key out that way but that doesnt work either. the only thing that has worked (and is a pain in the ass) is to disconnect the battery. then the key comes right out and then i have to reconnect the battery and set the alarm. has anyone had this problem or know of something that could be causing this? i have today and tomorrow to do something about it because monday i have to use my runner for work and if i have to pop the hood every time i get out it is going to be a very long day. thanks

 

[Trevloc]

hmm the only thing i can thing of is that your runner is not registering that its in park. computer malfunction? i am not sure. but thats my opinion. im sure someone will have better words than me.

 

[Tucson4runner]

thats what i thought because it works with the power off. but the park light comes on when i shift into it. so looks like ill have to fork over an arm and a leg and go to toyota to have them look at it.

 

[Trevloc]

i would reccomend precision toyota, the one on 22nd. they do pretty good work from what i have heard.

desert toyota is a joke.

i have a mechanic here in tucson but i dont think he does electrical.

and i would take out your center divider piece (where your shifter is) and look and see if anything came unplugged, or you can unplug everything and plug it all back in, and see if that resets it or something. maybe its just a loose connection? before you take it to a dealer.

 

[Tucson4runner]

just searched online and found someone with a similar problem and they had to replace their interlock control unit. new one is expensive but i havent found a single salvage yard in town that has a 4 runner. i have a 2000 but im assuming i can use any 3rd gen 4runner. know of any in town?

 

[Trevloc]

hmm ive done some calling around before, and no junk yards around here usually have 4runners that new. usually only 1st gens, if that. i would call the dealership, and get a part number and a price. that way you know what to go off of. then i would search around with the part number.

 

[Tucson4runner]

So I think I found the problem but it doesnt completely work. I installed an aftermarket dvd player and they installed a bypass switch so it would play movies while driving. And because of this the car no longer registers its in park and locks the key in place so tomorrow I'm going to have a switch installed to be able to turn this on and off and hopefully that works. The thing that doesn't male sense is that the car was doing this before I got the dvd player installed so hopefully this makes it better if not the the scavenger hunt begins. Thanks again. When I get this worked out we should hit some trails.

 

[RS Dude]

I had the same problem recently. The problem is most likely that the key interlock solenoid is not retracting:hello: all the way. My fix was to simply saturate the lock tumblers and the solenoid with WD-40 or similar lube to free it up.

 

[Tucson4runner]

I'm not sure that's the case because every time I disconnect the battery the key comes right out. But its worth a shot. Thanks.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I had the same problem recently. The problem is most likely that the key interlock solenoid is not retracting:hello: all the way. My fix was to simply saturate the lock tumblers and the solenoid with WD-40 or similar lube to free it up.

+1 mine was a bit sticky until it got the WD40 bath as well.

 

[Trevloc]

When I get this worked out we should hit some trails.

i wont argue that :hungry:

 

[Tucson4runner]

So tried wd-40 and no success. Paid 50 bucks to dealership turned out to be electrical. Said it was common in 3rd gens. So if anyone else's ignition isn't fixed with we-40 have mechanic check ignition electrical. It'll save you 40 on diagnostic. Thanks for everyone's help

 

[Trevloc]

$50 isnt too bad. or was that just for the diagnosis?

which dealership did you go to? they treat you well?

 

[Tucson4runner]

I went to where I bought the car first and if they couldn't do it I was going to go to precision. They are Tucson auto sales and they were able to fix it. From what he told me one of the plugs was faulty. The one registering which gear the car was in. So I could still shift and drive it but the shifter didn't lock so it would easily go from park to drive without pressing brake. Kinda scary but easily fixed. With me the first symptoms were that I had to shift in and out of park when key would get stuck. Went from once and awhile to once or twice a day. It was like that for less then a week before it completely locked me out. Looked online and there were never any recalls so just be careful

 

[4everRUNNER]

So I have the same problem I've bought a new key cylinder and it didn't fix it still same issue. The exact same thing happened to mine just as u said yours did slowly it got more and more until it would only come out when battery was disconnected or dead. Can u please help me. I didn't buy a dealer ignition cylinder it was from a parts store.

 

[Tucson4runner]

Hey didn't notice you posted here too. Here is the box I was talking about.

 

[74wingnut]

I have a 97 4 runner ltd. about 275K miles on and been having the same issue. As one of the others responders mentioned the lubrication does help.
How ever I prefer to use better lube than WD-40. For me its never worked very well.
Even though mine is working at this time I feel that there could be a voltage leaking problem related to the park position. This is why the key comes out when the battery is disconnected.
Why the lubrication helps is somewhat of a mystery.
When the weather gets warmer I plan on putting a volt meter on the solenoid to check if there is residual voltage present.

 

[Mark86]

Just had this issue on our GX- needs a new ignition switch cut. WD40 will not fix the problem and eventually, your key will get stuck!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hate to be the guy who says do a search but ... this has been well covered and the answer exists.

Use the link in my Sig to do an advanced search for your year (3rd gen), using phrase "key stuck ignition"

Good luck.

 

[4runnerflyer]

Hi guys. I have all the parts I need and was in the process of replacing the shift interlock switch. My problem should be simple. There are 2 wires that are connected to the old connector that must be removed and reinserted into the new connector. They are the blue/red wires. Normally you would use some type of extraction tool to bypass the locking tab to slide the wires out the back. I have tried and have had no luck. Is there a specific extraction tool for this connector? I can't find any help on this. Thanks. See the pictures for greater clarification.