Can't get key out! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bboychee · 09-22-2009, 09:01 PM

Hi everyone,

I can't get my key out of the ignition. I try to turn the key left to where you normally would so you can pull out the key but it's locked. It's stuck in the "ACC" position. Can please someone help me?

Thanks,

Chee

kevmac · 09-22-2009, 11:44 PM

shoot something in the cylinder. wd40 is prob the best idea.

edit: sure lucky it's in acc, because you can pull the lock out easily for replacement if the key won't come out.

bboychee · 09-24-2009, 10:53 AM

yesterday i took out the ignition key switch and was able to take out the key, but when i put it back in it does the same thing over again. the key gets locked in the "ACC" position. i'm wondering if it's the ignition key switch? do i have to get new one with key?

chee

trife96 · 09-26-2009, 08:50 PM

I know the key cylinder will not let you take the key out if the car is not set back in park. This may be causing the problem. In other words. for some reason it may be thinking the shifter is not set in park, even though obviously it is.

bboychee · 09-26-2009, 09:14 PM

for some odd reason, when i disconnect the battery, i can take out the key. but when i connect the battery again and turn the key, it gets locked in the "ACC" position. any answer to this? i just ordered a brand new key cylinder. maybe this could solve the problem...

trife96 · 09-26-2009, 09:39 PM

this seems to confirm what I was saying. The locking mechanism for the shifter to be in the PARK position is malfunctioning. I'm not sure that the new cylinder will fix your problem unfortunately. I'm thinking it is the key interlock solenoid. Interested to here your findings.

bboychee · 09-27-2009, 06:34 PM

i'll tell you what happens after i recieve and install the new key cylinder. do you know where i can find the key interlock solenoid?

gold94corolla · 09-29-2009, 09:20 PM

Hi, my car just started having this problem as well! The key will go all the way over, except into the position to remove it.

Let me guess, you have an automatic? Me too, You know the button you push in on the side of the shifter? To get it out of park and all? Well, that pushes down on a rod inside the shaft, and on mine, that shaft gets stuck pushed down. But you see, I replaced the shifter with a manual one, mounted on top of the moveable rod. So, I just have to pull up hard on the shifter, or the rod, and it comes up and the key comes out. You would have to remove your shifter in order to do this, since you can't get to the rod otherwise.

I broke my key in the ignition trying to get it out, so I'm glad I figured it out lol. Hope this helps!

bboychee · 09-30-2009, 09:03 AM

Thanks 94goldcorolla! yesterday when i was playing around with my car i figure out another way that enabled me to get the key out. my car is automatic and i did change the shifter knob so i don't have to press a button, i just shift up or down. it looks really cool. i'll post up some pics of my rolla. but back to the problem, located below the key cylinder lock, there was a little black box screwed up to it. i unscrewed it and was able to pull out my key. it works normal now! =] i just left the black box hang out there. i wonder what that black box is and the function of it. i'm thinking it deals with something with security or safety.

Chee

bboychee · 09-30-2009, 10:40 AM

i'm thinking, maybe it is because of my new shift knob. i installed it so i don't have to push down on the knob to shift, i just shift up or down (makes shifting alot faster and looks cooler =]). the green lever inside the rod which enables the shifting, is always engaged or pressed down. it acts a safety lock and doesn't allow the key to come out when in parked position because the car is thinking it's not in park, but ready to shift. i'm thinking this relates to the little black box located under the key cylinder. the problem is solved. i'm gonna do some more tests to confirm it =]

thanks everyone,

chee

gold94corolla · 10-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Oh cool, so you fixed it? Yeah, that green thing needs to be pulled up, that's what I was talking about... mine was getting stuck down so the key wouldn't come out. But, just like today it stopped getting stuck... hmm. I had the black box off of the ignition, but just unscrewing it didn't help, did you disconnect it?

bboychee · 10-01-2009, 09:34 PM

yes i just unscrewed the little black box and it worked fine. also, the green lever is always pressed down from my new shift knob to enable a quicker shift =] if you looked closely at the black box, there is a little metal point that can be pushed up and down. maybe that deals something with the ignition but i'm unsure.

gold94corolla · 10-02-2009, 06:17 PM

lol what do you need quick shift for? It stays in D..... I find that just having my hand on it pushes it down all the time, so I don't know why you need it always down....

bboychee · 10-03-2009, 09:22 AM

with the shift knob always pressing down on the green lever, i can just shift up or down. i don't need to press a button or push on down on the knob to shift. =]

Bitter · 10-03-2009, 09:25 AM

its an automatic, it shifts for you...if you want to shift get a manual.