anyone else had or know how to fix this problem? it just happened yesterday, and so now i have to leave my key in the ignition when i leave my car... it sucks.
i can still use the alarm, auto start it, and all the other functions, but the key will not come out no matter what I do??? pleeeas help!

 

....

automatic? or manual...?

try going to dealership?

 

its an automatic.. yeah but going to the dealership = them charging money for something that could possibly be fixed if i just knew what it was haha, tomorrow morning im gonna open up the damn thing and see what i can find, just wonderin if anyone could point me in the right direction lol

 

I knew I'd seen this before...

A quick search for "stuck key" turned up this:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=126767

Probably the interlock from the shifter not quite releasing...

Good luck!
Tomas

 

^^ was just thinking that...

 

thanks guys, i guess tomorrow morning i will take a good look at it

 

Put it in and out of park a few times and try the key. The cable has an 'automatic adjusting spring' on it and it SHOULD take up the slack unless it is somehow binding.

Tomas

 

The car has to be in P for the key to come out!!!! The same thing happened to me the other day. I couldn't get the key out of the igntion and did not know why. Then I looked down and saw that I had turned the car off while it was still in gear. When I shifted to P the key came out. Obviously it's a safety feature.

 

I've had this problem, but it was because the steering wheel was locked...just wiggled the wheel and it came right out.

 

What JoMac said is what I recommend checking. My tC's key stays in if the steering wheel is locked when I shut the car off, or try to turn it on. Just turn the wheel a bit and try taking the key out.

 

ok so i opened up the steering wheel column, everything looked ok and in place? Opened up where the shifter thing is, and that little bar was adjusted all the way forward... I dunno what else it could be, unless its like my alarm malfunctioning or something weird? i have no idea

 

Shifter components/test/adjust
Parking lock cable replacement

That's the repair manual sections that talk about the shift lock cable that keeps one from removing the key unless the shifter is in park. There are test and adjustment procedures there, and even replacement procedures.

If it is not the steering wheel being locked and jamming the key, it is this lock cable.

Only other choice after that is that there is a mechanical problem with the key or ignition switch. That's rare.

Tomas

 

Did you try turning the steering wheel one way or the other? I've gotten my key stuck on more than one occasion, and cranking the wheel is what worked for me. (And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one!)

 

I was just going to suggest the same thing.

 

That's five times wiggling the steering wheel has been suggested - if that's it, I'll bet he's got it by now.

Thing is this isn't a problem with turning the ignition ON with the steering wheel lock binding the ignition switch, this is a problem with the key being PREVENTED from locking the steering wheel by turning all the way to "OFF" - and therefore preventing removal of the key.

There is one device SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to do that, and that is the park lock cable that, uh, "prevents removal of the key" unless the transmission shifter is firmly in "park." That cable has been known to hang on these cars.

This "stuck key" isn't a key that can't be turned to start the car (steering wheel lock binding the ignition switch) this is a key that turns freely, but won't turn to "OFF" so it can be removed (federally required interlock with the shifter).

Have I explained it in enough different ways?

Tomas

 

I know i have seen it as well some time ago. Not very common, but then again i have seen it. I believe the owner had to take it to the dealership to have the key removed.

 

operator malfunction?

*giggles silently to himself*

 

is your car still under warranty? its covered dont touch or dismantle a thing!!!

 

Perhaps the steering wheel lock? Sorry Tomas, just had to add one more...

The only way to lock the steering wheel is by REMOVING the key and then turning the wheel. Hear that little “click” noise when you pull out the key? That’s the mechanism that enables the wheel to be locked. And to turn the key to any position (he did say that everything else worked), you have to first unlock the wheel.

If the info that Tomas gave you is of no help, then the only other option is to take it to the dealership. Hopefully it is still under warranty or just an easy adjustment that they won’t even charge you for. Although I did see a guy get charged parts and labor to fill his washer fluid… they diagnosed his “problem” free of charge and told him exactly how to fix it (for $1.79 at the gas station down the street). Instead he asked them to do it for him and paid the “lazy” fee.

 

no no, it was that little spring thing under the drivers side cup holder... i had to take out the center console and just push it all the way in and then I could release the key, I dont know why it happened, but it did lol.