Ignition key gets stuck

Saiboot · Jun 10, 2006

Hey guys, got a problem. Lately my ignition key is getting stuck in the cylinder for some reason, right between OFF and RUN, and I can't move the key any further towards OFF. Thought it was the cylinder and replaced that, but it still keeps happening. Looking in the housing I can see where a small gear on the end of the cylinder turns a toothed rod, could that be getting stuck somehow? Anyone else had this kind of problem?

If anyone knows what's goin on, I'd appreciate some ideas, and possibly a pic or diagram of the part that's giving me trouble, I can't find any decent ones in the Ford tech manual or anywhere else. Thanx!

Lboya · Jun 10, 2006

My mustang has a little white knob under the steering column that you push in to get the key out of the ignition cylinder. Are you pushing this in to get your keys out?

ryan218 · Jun 10, 2006

mine has the same thing and i hate it. wonder if there is a way to by pass it?

Roland69 · Jun 11, 2006

push it and duct tape it lol.... aor tear into the column and see what you can do

Saiboot · Jun 11, 2006

No, there's no key release, I know what you're talking abt though. My brother's 90 LX has it, but not my 93 for some reason. I suppose it could have been ripped out at some point, but from messing with the column I've never seen where it might have once been, and the key's always come out the last 3 years or so w/o a hitch.

I've heard some say it's where that toothed rod slides into the ignition switch, that either a piece in there breaks off or the switch starts getting stuck. Anyone had that experience?

Lboya · Jun 11, 2006

Any chance you can take some pics of the underside of the column with the cover on and with the cover off?

ssjmaverick23 · Jun 11, 2006

i had a problem similar i had to replace the tumbler and i there is a part im not sure what its called but it mounts to the column with 2 rivits and the harness plugs into.

rd · Jun 12, 2006

Couple of suggestions.

When this happens, and you are able to wiggle it loose to operate again, FIX IT. Otherwise it will stick when you least want it to.... Usually they stick in off, or lock, and you can't turn it to on to remove the lock core.... And the fix then is to drill out the lock core, a very messy annoying job.

Sometimes, just spraying a good amount of WD 40 into the keyway will help. Spray graphite is also said to help.

Usually, this is the pins in the lock getting worn and dry, and sticking, or the key getting worn so it does'nt move the pins all the way, so the WD40 will help for awhile. A new lock core will usually help. I would not tape or defeat the key release. I suppose you could remove it.

On most Mustangs, you can also take the core out, and remove the lock pins, and reinstall the core. Then any Ford key that fits the keyway will operate the car. Not very secure, but it wont jam anymore. Do not ask why I know this.... On new ones there are flat metal sliders, vice old school pins, and this is a bit harder. But if you have a chip key, it may be the trick again.

The key cylinder has a tab on the end that fits in the pinion and turns it to move the rack that moves the rod that actually moves the switch. On tilt columns it has to operate at all angles of the wheel, and can get sticky at extremes.

You should be able to remove the plastic covers and lubricate the rack and pinion assembly with grease.

Also, check that the ignition switch itself has not developed a sticky spot, perhaps, just change it.

This stuff is usually very reliable, so if you get it working it should keep going for awhile. The lock in my 79 is original except for one core/cylinder change.

My 97 truck stuck in March, but WD40 seems to have fixed it....

Saiboot · Jun 14, 2006

Yea, i can see down into the rack and pinion of my lock cylinder housing, looks pretty good. Probably gonna get into the column a little more anyway to get some better views, I'll try to get some pics while in there. Like I said, I did replace the cylinder itself, and it still does it, so it's elsewhere causing the problem. Ignition switch is a good suggestion though, I'll look at that tomorrow and see if it's sticking bad (that's the part you are thinking of SSJ, some have rivets, others have "breakaway" bolts that supposedly won't come out w/o an easy-out tool, but look basically like tamper proof Torx bolts that will unscrew anyway). I did notice from going through the diagram on my ford cd that there's 2 pieces between the pinion and the lock cylinder, referred to as the lock cylinder bearing and it's retainer. I didn't find either of these in there. The bearing looks to be a flat piece of metal w/a squarish hole in it, and the retainer is plastic. Anyone seen these things in there??? Wonder if they are possibly causing that pinion to come out of it's position and get stuck somewhere?

93PONY · Jun 14, 2006

is it in park? my 93 when i first got it did the same thing. come to find out it wasn't going into park and staying in neutral, so in turn my key wouldn't come out, replaced shifter assym. and has been fine ever since.

Saiboot · Jun 15, 2006

yea, definately in park. i did actually pull that one on myself earlier though, i got it right between park and reverse, and it wouldn't turn over. so now i'm freakin, thinkin it's gotta be the solenoid or starter, turns out i was just out of park. but i did put it in both park and neutral before that to see if anything affected the key, but no avail. gonna pull the ignition switch tonight, see if something's sticking in there

Saiboot · Jun 17, 2006

Ok, replaced both ignition switch and lock cylinder at this point, but still sticks. i'm pretty convinced i'm missing that bearing and retainer in the cylinder housing. i can wiggle the key in and out and the cylinder seems to have some slight play, and after i wiggle and push in while turning the key back, it'll come out. does anyone have any pics of these two pieces or can take a quick pic of them in there? i'm wondering if i can just get some washers to make that pinion sit in there tighter

tombo · Jul 7, 2006

Got the exact thing on my 91. Occasionally it won't turn back. What I do is put it back in Rev and SLAM it into Park. Sometimes takes 2 or 3 times - I guess there's an interlock switch in the tranny or the shifter assy that sticks. Probably a safety feature so you can't lock the steering while you're in Drive goin down the highway.

RustBucket · Jul 8, 2006

If you can wiggle the shifter (or slam it in park) the interlock cable is most likely to blame. That cable runs from the shifter to the column and is what keeps you from starting in gear. Mine would do that on occasion before I ditched the automatic. I don't think the cable is adjustable, but you can look. There may be something on your CD about it if it's a Ford shop manual.

Saiboot · Jul 8, 2006

Yep, it was that damn interlock, lol. I can see the cable below the bezel around the shifter. Apparently somewhat of a "click" is the key to knowing it's locked in. I thought I had wiggled it before to see if that was the case, but you guys were right, u really have to slam it into park. But, fortunately the autotragic won't be in there much longer! Thanx guys!

kevinspann · Jul 8, 2006

i dont know about you guys but i can change gears on my auto without ever touching the brake. Does everyones car do this?

lsteere · Mar 26, 2016

06 Mustang no longer driveable - key sticks in ignition too often

This is so frustrating. About half the time the key will not come out of ignition on my 06 mustang. NOTHING I do will get it out, except a good hard kick to the auto shift lever. (Not a really good option.) I have tried jiggling the wheel, putting in drive then into park using all my strengrh. Have taken it to the dealer twice and they say nothing is wrong. Of course it didn't stick for them. Last night I spent over 2 hours trying to get the key out and finally, after midnight, just left it parked on the street with the key in. This morning I put it in community, unsecured garage, kicked the shifter till the key came out and with summer coming on, my sweet little convertible is not undriveable for good. I am PISSED.

Noobz347 · Mar 26, 2016

lsteere said:
06 Mustang no longer driveable - key sticks in ignition too often

This is so frustrating. About half the time the key will not come out of ignition on my 06 mustang. NOTHING I do will get it out, except a good hard kick to the auto shift lever. (Not a really good option.) I have tried jiggling the wheel, putting in drive then into park using all my strengrh. Have taken it to the dealer twice and they say nothing is wrong. Of course it didn't stick for them. Last night I spent over 2 hours trying to get the key out and finally, after midnight, just left it parked on the street with the key in. This morning I put it in community, unsecured garage, kicked the shifter till the key came out and with summer coming on, my sweet little convertible is not undriveable for good. I am ****ED.

Change the ignition lock and be done with it. Buy a good one, not the first that Autozone lists from China. Take a look at Rockauto.com

If you have difficulty finding a "how-to" video on youtube but if you don't... Holler at us in this thread again.

That fact that you can put the key into the lock and turn it to the ON position makes the job pretty easy to do.

Ignition key gets stuck

Saiboot

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