Last night I was getting out of my car, and I couldn't turn the key to the off position to take it out. I tried turning the steering wheel and it still wouldn't come out. I restarted the car, drove it about a block and tried again, and still didn't come out. After not touching it for 5 minutes, I tried again, and it turned to the off and I was able to take the key out.

I called the dealer said that this has never happenned before! Anyone have this happen? If so, what was the fix?

 

I had a momentary problem with the key when I first got the car. I didn't realize that you had to push the key in to turn it to "off". I'm smarter now.

 

I take it you have an Automatic. If so there are a couple things it could be. More than likely it is a transmission interlock problem. This problem could be at the solenoid or at the Transmission. Next time if this happens try to pull the car out of park with the car off and by NOT putting your foot on the brake. If you can pull the car out of gear without the brake being pushed in then this is a saftey issue that needs to be addressed ASAP. If you can't pull the car out of gear it is possibly a bad solenoid on the ignition cylinder. I am a locksmith so I see these things all the time. Also spray some WD-40 or TriFlow into the ignition cyl. as it may just be something hanging up but this is doubtfull. It's still a good idea to lubricate your locks though especially during the winter months.

 

JDM5lugHatch could be right.


Also, cvajs ever had the similar issue... https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...18&postcount=4

 

2nd solenoid to blow (mine was the 1st i heard of for 2004 TL). the key solenoid locks the key in while not in park.

the ignition and solenoid are 1 unit, so dealer will replace ignition and have the new one re-keyed to original key by local locksmith (or maybe your serv. dept. can do it in hous ??).

 

i would not use liquid lube, i would use powdered graphite. liquids will attract and hold dirt and over time build up.

he can't turn the car OFF because key lock solenoid won't allow it.

 

Never use a POWDER especially GRAPHITE! It will eventually gum/build up and cause problems down the road. I am a locksmith and have been doing this for 11years. Trust me no good locksmith uses Graphite especially on locks with Waffers! As far as liquids attracting dirt WD-40 will not attract dirt it will actually clean the dirt out and eventually disipate.

Also if you would have read my post you would have seen that I did infact mention the solenoid. You would also have seen that it could have been a transmission interlock problem.

Plain and simple I am one of the best locksmiths when it comes to Automotive that you will find. Conceited or not it is the truth.

 

Was the shift lever in Park?

(Sometimes we overlook the obvious)

 

Yes it was in park! I did everything to try to get it out.

 

good points, my bad.

i've used graphite for years on all types of locks, no issues. WD40 is good too, i just dont like how it runs through everything and then usually drips somewhere.

 

That is the downside to the product (WD-40) that it is messy (for weeks depending on how dirty the lock is). However, that means that it is working.