Ignition problem, please help. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

JamesRules · 03-20-2007, 11:21 PM

The key in my 1997 Celica would not go to the "Lock" position and come out, key that I got made at the Toyota dealership in my city mind you. Someone told me that I should jiggle the wheel and pull it out with pliers. When I did this the key BROKE inside of the ignition. How can I get it out without having it towed? Please help.

insaneinsite · 03-21-2007, 09:32 AM

well if your just trying to get the car home i would say try and use a screw driver and gently turn the key to start the car. If that doesn't work youll need to pull the key cylinder out and pull it apart. You will probable need a steering wheel puller and a set of pics to pull the cylinder apart. Dont forget to send a big THANK YOU to your toyota dealer

burningthebridg · 03-21-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesRules

The key in my 1997 Celica would not go to the "Lock" position and come out, key that I got made at the Toyota dealership in my city mind you. Someone told me that I should jiggle the wheel and pull it out with pliers. When I did this the key BROKE inside of the ignition. How can I get it out without having it towed? Please help.

That's odd that it got stuck, did you forget to put the car in park before you tried to pull it out?

***toyomoho*** · 03-21-2007, 07:04 PM

Can you install the other half of the key and turn the ignition switch? A few TN members have had both issues before (lock will not turn and key is now broken). Suggest doing a TN history search. Check the threads at the bottom of this page.

My guess as you will need to remove the lock cylinder.

How did the dealer make the key, by key number or copying the old one? Sometimes the lock just wears out.

JamesRules · 03-21-2007, 08:32 PM

I got a number somewhere from my car and they put it in the system and it made the keys. I did put it in park before I tried. I had a locksmith come over and get it out and he said something with the shifter is broken, so even when I put it in park and it does park the car somehow doens't register that it's parked.

Thanks for the replies.

burningthebridg · 03-22-2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesRules

I got a number somewhere from my car and they put it in the system and it made the keys. I did put it in park before I tried. I had a locksmith come over and get it out and he said something with the shifter is broken, so even when I put it in park and it does park the car somehow doens't register that it's parked.

Thanks for the replies.

So is it going to be an ongoing problem? Or can you fix the shifter?

***toyomoho*** · 03-22-2007, 02:01 AM

The ignition key has an electric solenoid or cable (depending on the model of car) that ties in with the shifter. If there is a problem with this system the key can be stuck. This system can be repaired. Might try starting the car and moving the shifter back and forth if this happens again.

akira30005 · 04-02-2007, 12:34 AM

i had the same issue with my 90 celica gt. I didnt break the key but what happen is the key itself is pretty thin, theres a groove in both sides, somehow one side of the groove bent just enough that when i went to pull it out it caught on the edge, i did manage to force it out but i still had to get a new key made because i can now see through my old key. as far as getting the car to move without the tow, a good locksmith can do it in about 4 hours.