Help! My key is stuck!
- Thread starter driller
- Start date
Hahahahahh! Stupid Ford ignitions! Make sure you align the outer portion of the ignition switch(the chrome piece you use for leverage to turn and start) is aligned with the key.(common ford break spots)
I would recommend turning the key on, and hitting the little tab under the column to remove the whole cylinder and finding out whats wrong from there. Probably a bad tumbler.
I would recommend turning the key on, and hitting the little tab under the column to remove the whole cylinder and finding out whats wrong from there. Probably a bad tumbler.
Or did not want her to leave!:laugh:
Duck, duck,...
Goose!
It wasn't the lockset. I installed the new ignition lockset and hooked up the battery. I started the car and turned it off and the key would not come out! Even though the new assembly was "tight" and didn't have the slop of the old one, the key would simply not turn back far enough to be in the position to be removed.
After pulling the shroud cover and lower panel contemplating having to remove the steering column, I was looking in the manual and discovered the column interlock cable to the shifter. Aha! After re-installing the ignition cylinder, I shifted out of park, shifted back into park, turned off the key(this time all the way) and simply removed the key as normal.
As it turns out, I was able to replicate the scenario when shifting into park with a light force. Apparently there is a slight bit of stretch in the interlock cable that requires a "manly" shift of the shift lever to the park position?
I could find almost no other detail in the manual and with no ambition to rip out the console and steering column, I decided to leave it be. It seems to work fine and I gave the wife a couple 'parking lessons'. lol
Goose!
It wasn't the lockset. I installed the new ignition lockset and hooked up the battery. I started the car and turned it off and the key would not come out! Even though the new assembly was "tight" and didn't have the slop of the old one, the key would simply not turn back far enough to be in the position to be removed.
After pulling the shroud cover and lower panel contemplating having to remove the steering column, I was looking in the manual and discovered the column interlock cable to the shifter. Aha! After re-installing the ignition cylinder, I shifted out of park, shifted back into park, turned off the key(this time all the way) and simply removed the key as normal.
As it turns out, I was able to replicate the scenario when shifting into park with a light force. Apparently there is a slight bit of stretch in the interlock cable that requires a "manly" shift of the shift lever to the park position?
I could find almost no other detail in the manual and with no ambition to rip out the console and steering column, I decided to leave it be. It seems to work fine and I gave the wife a couple 'parking lessons'. lol
I had that same problem with an old 84 Ford Ranger that I had when I was in high school. Sometimes I had to slam the shifter in park. Although...it was better than my 83 cavalier that had vice grips for my window handle and not to mention having to Dukes of Hazzard window jump to get into the passanger side 
That car was built like a brick house on the outside though!...lol
That car was built like a brick house on the outside though!...lolDarn it.....my car does the same thing,(don't know why I didn't think about it) I've had this same thing happen several times! One time I put it in park and the car popped back into reverse right before I jumped out! Just use a little extra force when putting into park
I'm sure there is an adjustment in the console to align the cable to the park position.JP,
On mine when I shift to park I have to push it further with the palm of my hand to get it to "click" into park..
Sorry I didn't even think about that when you were talking about your problem.
dangit...
Ahh well... as you said.. "should make her feel better" because I have the same problem, but it's become second nature...so I dont even think about it.
I "thought" it was a bent park pawl/pin because when I first got the car I put the selector into park before the car stopped moving, the danged thing was so smooth I didn't realize I was still rolling forwards {shakes head}
Figured when I swapped the tranny that issue would go away, but it didn't.
So it sounds like I have a "stretched interlock cable as well".
THANKS JP you have cleared up my problem and didn't even know you'd helped me out!!
HAHA
On mine when I shift to park I have to push it further with the palm of my hand to get it to "click" into park..
Sorry I didn't even think about that when you were talking about your problem.
dangit...
Ahh well... as you said.. "should make her feel better" because I have the same problem, but it's become second nature...so I dont even think about it.
I "thought" it was a bent park pawl/pin because when I first got the car I put the selector into park before the car stopped moving, the danged thing was so smooth I didn't realize I was still rolling forwards {shakes head}
Figured when I swapped the tranny that issue would go away, but it didn't.
So it sounds like I have a "stretched interlock cable as well".
THANKS JP you have cleared up my problem and didn't even know you'd helped me out!!
HAHA
I remember seeing the interlock cable assembly, but no mention of any installation beyond 2 screws at the end of the steering column, let alone any adjustment procedures.
The part that threw me was the 'slop' in the ignition lock assembly. It appeared to be turning all the way back but in actuality it wasn't since the interlock cable was not allowing the column to lock. That should have been the smoking gun... the steering column was not locked.
So, for the benefit of others, if the key cannot come out, the first thing to check is the steering column/shifter interlock. Push forward on the shift lever in park until the steering column locks. You may need to turn the key on, shift out of and back into park then turn the key off. If the steering column is locked and the ignition keyset still has problems, then remove and inspect the ignition lockset.
The part that threw me was the 'slop' in the ignition lock assembly. It appeared to be turning all the way back but in actuality it wasn't since the interlock cable was not allowing the column to lock. That should have been the smoking gun... the steering column was not locked.
So, for the benefit of others, if the key cannot come out, the first thing to check is the steering column/shifter interlock. Push forward on the shift lever in park until the steering column locks. You may need to turn the key on, shift out of and back into park then turn the key off. If the steering column is locked and the ignition keyset still has problems, then remove and inspect the ignition lockset.
Like you said dude....your old ignition had slop, and now you won't have to worry about the outside ring getting worse.
You got new keys? Why didn't you get the ignition where you can "re-key" it? I changed one out on my buddy's Cougar(outer ring would free-wheel, lol) and it came in pieces and I had to match the tumblers to the old one.
**the top 3 pictures of from a saturn I had to re-key, but it was the same process for the cougar, the last picture showing the cover re-installed**
You got new keys? Why didn't you get the ignition where you can "re-key" it? I changed one out on my buddy's Cougar(outer ring would free-wheel, lol) and it came in pieces and I had to match the tumblers to the old one.
**the top 3 pictures of from a saturn I had to re-key, but it was the same process for the cougar, the last picture showing the cover re-installed**