Hey guys and gals About 2 weeks ago for some unknown reason my key wouldnt come out of the ignition. I tried for about 10-15 minutes pushing the button, not pushing the button, screaming at the button etc etc with no avail.... I took off the rest of my keys and left the key in the ignition (obviously not turned on) and locked the doors with my immobilizer. I came back to the car about 20 mins later and it came out with no problem, so i thought it was a one off thing. anyway the exact same thing happened again last night and now its really annoying me, I tried searching but couldnt find anthing. can anyone point me in the direction of some info or fixes thanks in advance chris
oh btw i have a mechanic friend whos coming around tonight to spray some graphite powder in the key barrell, apparantly it works as a good lubricant? i will let u know how it goes
2nd, it's not the button holding it in, steering lock can prevent the key coming out. if u turn the wheel a bit it will release the key.
I had that hapen to me once. There's a locking pin that stops the key from coming out unless the engine is off or something... anyway it was disabled so you could remove the key while the turbo timer still had the engine running but it had fallen down and was locking the key in again. I had to remove the covers on the steering colums and tape the pin up so it wouldn't fall down. Just take the bottom cover off the steering colum and you'll see it plain as day.
Key stuck in ignition the lock mech has two electric latches that cause the key to stick in cut the small red wire to disable the key interlock.:zlove:
Be very carefull. Graphite is conductive , so don't use it around electrics ( the ignition switch has power ) you can easily short things out.Also silicone spray can do the the same.Try rp7 or c.r.c.
If your car is an auto, try (after putting it in park) turning the key as far as it will go (don't force it) and then pull the shifter back slightly as if you were going to shift into reverse WITHOUT HOLDING IN THE SHIFT BUTTON. You should hear a little click, that's to make sure the car is in park and not getting turned off accidentally That's what keeps the key in the barrel (if you're in an auto that is) And yes, it is very likely that this is where 90TTZ was going with the auto now/in the past question Cheers, Tom
hey guys thanks for the replies, the steering lock is definatly not on, and i tried numerous times turning the engine back on and putting it in drive then back to park a few times with no success, however this morning i tried to remove the key and it came out fine (i left it over night), i will keep u all updated if it happens again and i will try moving the shifter (and yes its an auto)
When My turbo timer was being fitted they guy fitting it said that the ignition has a solenoid of some kind that will not let the key be removed while the engine is running. cbzx notes (above) Key stuck in ignition the lock mech has two electric latches that cause the key to stick in cut the small red wire to disable the key interlock. The Turbo timer installer mentioned that the only other cars he's seen with this setup are the new Mercs ( 8 years ago now) but this may be what has failed .. My timer does not let me take out the key until the engine is off ... it can be disabled as most will testify but I left mine in place and wait patiently .. perhaps the red wire disabled will allow you to fix the problem ? If the solenoid / or latch (if the thing exists) is no longer picking up the signal it may not let you take out the key until it 'finds' the right signal, That way its eventually letting you take out the key but not until the 'gremlin' wants you to? Just a guess, but it may help you sort it out?
if it does it again, anyone, you can pop off the little facia around the barrel. where the push button to release the key is, if you look just above that (behind where the facia sits) theres a little metal switch you can flick up that will allow you to release the key. if it keeps it up then yer.... just cut the red wire. had me stumped for ages when i first got my zed haha. cheers, Jadyn
this used to happen with my old zed... it would get stuck, no matter what i tried it wouldnt come out yet after leaving it for 10 - 15 minutes it would come out as normal. when it locks in, try pushing the key up towards the top of the steering column. by that i mean, when the key is locked it should be flat so the flat surface is facing up, push it up towards the top of the steering column and it should come out. it stopped happening after that but every now n then it would have a go at me... try locking/removing that pin inside... they seem to be the trouble maker.
Faulty solenoid on ignition switch causes key problems. Locks key until you place in Park if working properly. As indicated just cut the supply cable at back of ignition switch. Once cut you will be able to remove key whether in park or not. Do a 'search'- common problem-can't remember which cable to cut red or brown?
hey guys sorry to bring this old thread up again but it happened again, so i decided to take off the steering cover, now im having some issues with which wire to cut any help? here is a pic there are 3 red wires red w blue red w white red w black rings next to the black wire,
