November 11, 200520 yr 97 OBS- So my key is stuck in the ignition, in between lock and acc. and the shift locker isn't working. I'm guessing they're related. I think the problem might be that the lock doesn't know the car is in park.. although it is... it's sort of annoying using my spare to get in the car, with the key locked in there... so any ideas? i tried poping out the shift lock screw thing, and the screw under the stearing wheel, and no dice, tried shaking, rattling, smacking, you name it... i guess my next try is going to be crawling under and seeing if anything got stuck in the shift mechinism to the tranny keeping it from going into park..... perhaps my key went bad? i dunno... ideas?
November 11, 200520 yr My dad had a similar situation with his Nissan Maxima. The key would not come out, and I don't think the key was able to turn and start the car either. The shifter was also stuck. We ended up jumping the car battery and the key was able to turn again. Not sure how the two are related, but that's what worked for him. You may also want to check the fuse box, as maybe one of the fuses have gone bad. Good luck!
November 11, 200520 yr Take off the plastic around the shifter. There is a little switch under there that controls whether you can take the key out or not. Check that switch for continuity in Park.
November 11, 200520 yr Author figured it out, so if any of you have this problem ever. (oh yeah, it's an auto) there is a plate with a notched out section, and a little metal dowel going through it, attached to the base of the shifter. This piece just happened to vibrate itself out, so i ended up ripping off all of the trim from the center consoul, and inspecting this area, and found the piece of metal sitting next to the shifter. (about 1.5" long, 2-3mm diameter). just simply pressed the shift button at the top of the shifter, and shoved it back into the hole where it goes. I couldn't get the key out because the 'park switch' wasn't being switched by the piece of metal, this is also why the shift lock was not working, because it wasn't settling in the notches. I'll get a pic some day if anyone else has the same problem.
November 11, 200520 yr Author Update: Just got a phone call from the girl, it won't start now d'oh guess i'll get pictures for you all after all!
November 13, 200520 yr Author problem solved, on the starting issue..... it so happens that both her and i drive subarus... and the keys look very much alike.... you can guess why my car didn't start from there.... but today, the rod fell out again, so i ripped everything out again, cleaned it all up, and super glued the rod back in place, hopefully it'll stay put this time.
January 20, 200719 yr no pics though huh sucker? (parts legacy is doing this RIGHT NOW and need to move it into friend's garage for engine removal)
January 20, 200719 yr no pics though huh sucker? (parts legacy is doing this RIGHT NOW and need to move it into friend's garage for engine removal) if it doesn't have a battery in it you can't shift it out of park. use jumper cables.
January 20, 200719 yr Author Derrick, just rip out the center trim stuffs, and the shifter trim, there's a little metal tabb'd switch that you can push up, and it will unlock the key. here.. the plate will look something like this... Where the notches for the gears do something like... 1 2 3 D N R P i believe... the switch is at the top of the P notch i think.
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