Key Stuck in ignition

thbill · Post by **thbill** » 25 Nov 2012, 13:40

V70r 2000, key stuck in ignition ??? jiggler sterring lock, stick shift @!! Mechanic can't seem to help, any suggestions, all else is fine car works beautifully !!!

bugleg · Post by **bugleg** » 25 Nov 2012, 14:04

Check the button on the shifter to make sure it isn't stuck in. I would try rowing the gear selector back and forth to clean the switches.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 25 Nov 2012, 14:52

The button on the center consul is slightly depressed . With a sharp probe or knife work the button to its up position maybe 1/16" by pointing the sharp item in the side of the button and then push down on the other end of the tool. move to the opposite side and repeat.

Post by **rspi** » 25 Nov 2012, 18:53

I usually jiggle the shifter and make sure the button is out all the way. If it doesn't pop out on it's own, you can usually pull it out with your fingers.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 25 Nov 2012, 19:02

Jot wrote:The button on the center consul is slightly depressed . With a sharp probe or knife work the button to its up position maybe 1/16" by pointing the sharp item in the side of the button and then push down on the other end of the tool. move to the opposite side and repeat.

That's not a very good idea. That button fits in there pretty tight.
The more you scar it up with any sharp pointed objects, the more
it's gonna stick if it get's pressed. I'd suggest soft jaw pliers.

A shot of WD-40 may also loosen up the spilled soda that gets in there...

I wrapped a little chunk of innertube around mine and grabbed
it with a pair of 6" channel locks. Pulled it up, key came right out.
Then I took my console apart and cleaned the heck out of it.
But be advised - That job was a huge PITA and took an afternoon.

But as stated above, this can be either the button in
the shifter knob OR the overide button on the console.

sliptones629 · Post by **sliptones629** » 26 Nov 2012, 08:22

What worked for me when I had all of the shifter problems was hitting down directly on top of the knob. Fixed all of the sticky shifter and override button.

The button had apparently been replaced but the shifter itself didn't stay forced all the way on.

thbill · Post by **thbill** » 05 Dec 2012, 07:05

Thanks guys, have tried all the buttons but they all seem to be returning to the proper position !!! I figure it has to be one of the sensors but..... I'll keep trying !!!

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Dec 2012, 07:16

Wait...you mention stick shift in your post. Is this a stick shift or automatic?

If it's an auto, pull the knob off. Grab it and pull up - really, really hard. It should pop off with some force put to it . then take the knob and lubricate the insides with silicone grease to keep it from happening again.

If it's a stick...I really don't know. I think the shift lock is only on automatics...unless it's like my Saab where it wouldn't let the key out unless you were in reverse.

Gubernaculum · Post by **Gubernaculum** » 05 Dec 2012, 07:21

To summarize, as said, there are 2 probable causes with automatic transmissions, both of which have happened to me.

One is the button on the underside of the shift knob which you have to push to switch out of park, etc. You push this button every day you drive the car. It gets stuck in, then you can't get the key out of the ignition since it thinks the car isn't in park. Look carefully at the ignition cylinder and (if I recall correctly) the key will not rotate fully to the counterclockwise direction (the "home" position where you would normally take the key out.

The second is the "shift lock override" which on my car (00 s70) is located at the base of the shifter, forward and to the right of it. It's labeled "shift lock override". It should be sticking up a good bit. If it's not, maybe it got pressed and isn't coming back up on its own.

If you make absolutely sure it's not one of those, I guess my next step would be to start taking the shifter/console apart to see if whatever mechanisms are on the "back side" of those switches have come loose.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 05 Dec 2012, 09:48

The mechanisms both link to a small cable that runs up to the ignition switch.
I found mine to be a tiny bit stretched when I had my console apart and used
the factory adjustment to snug it up. If that's the problem, you'll find that
adjusting point right at the end of the cable sleeve on the console end.

But my money is on one of the buttons.