key stuck in ignition - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jojopell · 10-02-2005, 02:05 PM

Like the title of this thread says my key is stuck in the ignition. I can turn the car on, but when I try to turn it off the key will not come out. I have done a search and I have tried what people have said (Turning the steering wheel, jiggling it, making sure the tires are straight, using grease). I was wondering if the problem could be internally in the ignition. I am going to bring it to my mechanic tomorrow if I can not fix it by tonight. If anybody has any ideas just let me know, thanks.

Jay

Ranger X · 10-02-2005, 02:10 PM

I know this sounds stupid but did you push the key in while turning?? Seems obvious to me, but my mom couldn't figure out that you had to push it, so maybe other people would be the same way.

keithy · 10-02-2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojopell

Like the title of this thread says my key is stuck in the ignition. I can turn the car on, but when I try to turn it off the key will not come out. I have done a search and I have tried what people have said (Turning the steering wheel, jiggling it, making sure the tires are straight, using grease). I was wondering if the problem could be internally in the ignition. I am going to bring it to my mechanic tomorrow if I can not fix it by tonight. If anybody has any ideas just let me know, thanks.

Jay

Make sure you have your auto transmission position at "P". If you still have it at "D", you will not be able to pull the key out.

jojopell · 10-02-2005, 04:10 PM

Thanks for your responses, but I know those things all ready. Just in case this makes a difference I took my old shift knob off to put on my new razo shift knob. I decide that I would work on it tomorrow because I had other things to do. I put back on the old shift knob, but I did not connect the over drive wires b/c I am talking it back off tomorrow. Could it be that this is the problem?

keithy · 10-02-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojopell

Thanks for your responses, but I know those things all ready. Just in case this makes a difference I took my old shift knob off to put on my new razo shift knob. I decide that I would work on it tomorrow because I had other things to do. I put back on the old shift knob, but I did not connect the over drive wires b/c I am talking it back off tomorrow. Could it be that this is the problem?

honestly jojopell, I do not know the answer to that. Have not encountered such problem. But you can certainly try putting the old one back and see what happens. Sorry, I could not help you much.

deekay140 · 10-02-2005, 10:31 PM

ignition switch is worn out, pull the lower panel, turn key to accesory, push in button on the tumblar and pull out, install new one.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 10-03-2005, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojopell

Thanks for your responses, but I know those things all ready. Just in case this makes a difference I took my old shift knob off to put on my new razo shift knob. I decide that I would work on it tomorrow because I had other things to do. I put back on the old shift knob, but I did not connect the over drive wires b/c I am talking it back off tomorrow. Could it be that this is the problem?

check your shift knob, and see if when you were tightening it, the tranny disengage (thingy???) is pushed down a bit- they metal stat sticks up the middle of the shifter

if that is even slightly depressed, you won't be able to take out hte key if I remember correctly

***zoni*** · 10-03-2005, 01:40 AM

is the wheel locked? can you turn the wheels at all?

how old is the car? have you had problems with the key at all before?

you may just have to take the whole cylinder out and remove the key (if you can) while the whol cylinder is out...

ptsmith · 10-03-2005, 06:32 AM

what gen is your car, jojopell?

jojopell · 10-03-2005, 07:25 AM

Oh yeah my Camry is a gen 3 1994. Guy’s thanks for you responses, but I am actually heading over to my mechanic now to find out what is the problem. I will let you guys know incase someone else gets this problem. Thanks again.

Margueritaville · 10-18-2005, 09:15 PM

H ey J,

Did you figure out the key problem? I have a 2003 Camry and the key is stuck in the ignition. It came out after some jiggling and messing around the first couple of times, but now it is in there and WON'T come out. I have to leave it at an airport on Thursday! It refuses to lock with the key in the ignition, even if I have the spare with me.

Any help you can give would be enormously appreciated.

Margueritaville

jojopell · 10-18-2005, 10:43 PM

Hey Margueritaville, I did fix the problem, but I do not think you have the same one. I was messing around with stock shift knob, and I messed up something internally, and the car did not register that it was in park. Obviously if the car is not in park the key will not come out. Anyway, I got a new shift knob and everything is fine. I have a 94 though so I do not know too much about the 2003 Cams. My car at least locked even with the key stuck, but yours does not so that is not good. I really have no clue, so maybe someone on this board can help. Good luck man, and let know how it goes. Have a safe trip.

Mayne Event · 10-18-2005, 10:59 PM

get a vice grip, grip the end of the key REAAAALLL good and PULL! see what happens....hey..it could work...

t^3 · 10-24-2005, 02:34 AM

This happened to me a few times a while back. I just turned on the car again, put it in drive, then turned the car off again, and I was able to take out the key. I never took it to the dealer, though, since it only happened once in a while, and I don't think it's happened for at least a year.

Camry-rulez · 10-24-2005, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithy

Make sure you have your auto transmission position at "P". If you still have it at "D", you will not be able to pull the key out.

In my Camry I can put my key out even it is on D,N,R etc... What gen do you have? ;/