Key stuck in ignition..., Please help.... Options

[mitch1911]

I have finally got my 97 ready to run with a new radiator and condenser, and when I connected the battery back up and went to start it, I got nothing. After a few attempts, it turned over and ran fine, but when I turned it off, the key would not come out of the ignition. After looking through other posts, I couldn't seem to find an answers. Some say it is the factory alarm, others say it is a grounding issue. The little red light stays lit with the key in the ignition. I am afraid by leaving the key in the "ON" position, this will just drain my battery. Any ideas are appreciated on where to start looking for issues. Thanks.

[96bluevert]

Try turning the engine on, then turn everything off again (engine and accessory). Sometimes you have to fiddle with it for a bit.

[razor7]

I have finally got my 97 ready to run with a new radiator and condenser, and when I connected the battery back up and went to start it, I got nothing. After a few attempts, it turned over and ran fine, but when I turned it off, the key would not come out of the ignition. After looking through other posts, I couldn't seem to find an answers. Some say it is the factory alarm, others say it is a grounding issue. The little red light stays lit with the key in the ignition. I am afraid by leaving the key in the "ON" position, this will just drain my battery. Any ideas are appreciated on where to start looking for issues. Thanks.

My friend had this happen to him on his 7th gen. Try wiggling the steering wheel (sometimes it locks), turning the key into accessory mode, etc. If all of that fails, then I would place my bets on your ignition failing. You should be able to get it replaced at a toyota dealership, but expect to be paying 300+. You may be better off finding one in a junk yard and having a locksmith redo the tumblers to match your current key.

For the time being I'd disconnect the battery if you can't get the key out.

-TC

[soulshadow]

Someone from the last post said something inside there distributor cap fried out and they couldn't start, crank or even remove there keys. Something to do with a wire inside or something. They had an automatic.

[mitch1911]

Since the key does come out with the battery disconnected, it almost seems like something in the shifter is causing the issue. I will try the steering wheel lock and then fiddle with the shifter, to make sure it is engaging in Park. Does anyone know if there is a solenoid or some sensor that tells the ignition that the shifter is in Park. Something similar to the brake pedal relay or something. I am still lost, but hope this does not result in a huge repair bill.

[georgie]

i've had this happen in my 3series before, problem was that when i put it in park it wasn't engaging, try pushing it into park harder.
this is obviously only if you have an auto...

[solidxsnake]

Since the key does come out with the battery disconnected, it almost seems like something in the shifter is causing the issue. I will try the steering wheel lock and then fiddle with the shifter, to make sure it is engaging in Park. Does anyone know if there is a solenoid or some sensor that tells the ignition that the shifter is in Park. Something similar to the brake pedal relay or something. I am still lost, but hope this does not result in a huge repair bill.

There is definitely some sort of switch/solenoid that will let the keys come out only in Park.

See pg 49:

https://share.acrobat.com/adc/adc.do?docid=...4a-56ed1b61eaa6

[Zimluura]

a friend of mine had this happen on her 99 convertible. when she took it to the shop they said something was up with the transmission. sorry i'm kinda vague (it was at least a year ago and not my car).

car drove fine, just the key couldn't be removed. only reasons i know about it is that i drove the same model & year (maybe i could fix it ... i couldn't), and that i live in the burbs and am considered a safer parking spot (with the key in the ignition) than downtown.

[mitch1911]

I checked it again today. I moved the shifter many times from P to N to D and back. Key still won't go back to lock. As soon as I pulled the positive battery lead off, the key immediately came out. I have left it in there for the last 3 days without it draining the battery, so I guess I could just leave it in there. The car will only be at my work or in the garage anyways.

I also called the local audio shop since they install keyless entry and alarm systems. The main install guy there immediately mentioned a solenoid that tells the ignition that the gear shifter is in park. He said he could not replace it, that the dealership could, but at least he has me leaning towards that.

Thanks for posting the wiring diagram and diagnosis sheet.

[mitch1911]

Late follow-up, but I figured I would post anyway in case a search came up later on. Took the Celica to the local dealer and they dis-assembled the shifter and found that the Shift Lock Plate was broken (part #33594-20050). Basically an $18 piece of plastic that tells the computer that the shifter is in Park, so the key will come out. They tried the shift lock selenoid, and the shift control module before settling on this small piece that was broken. It took them only 2 hours labor to dis-assemble and re-assemble the entire center console. So, the key now comes out and everything is A-OK.

Here's a quick pic....

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa202/m.../1272831125.jpg

[CelicaST_CALI]

Good info

[zfjohnson07]

hate to bring this thread back to life, but i found some useful information while working on my car, tried to shoot a video, its not the best video but i had the same problems with my keys getting stuck in my ignition and i think its the shift lock plate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPMdgsiY2sQ...eature=youtu.be