Key stuck in ignition

[Nonmouse]

I have a 1993 2WD, AT Loyale Wagon with about 65,000 miles. The ignition key has been difficult to remove for a few months- I usually have to give the shifter a little extra "bump" to get it to turn to "Lock". Today, after whacking the horn button pretty good (which also caused the horn to stick, but I figure I can suss that one out on my own), it refuses to turn all the way back to "Lock". So... so tickee, no keyee.

 

I unfortunately don't have the service manual, so I can't look up the interlock mechanism to figure out what's likely to be wrong.

 

A little help? :-\

[GeneralDisorder]

The lock mechanism is likely eating itself internally and all the metal bits are loose and sometimes binding, etc. Graphite may work to free it up but it should probably be rebuilt by a smith or just replaced with a good used lock.

 

I would get a can of the graphite that has oil in with it and see if I could get some of that to flow past the key then grab the key with pliers and work it back and forth as much as possible without breaking the key. If the key absolutely won't come out then pull the steering wheel and column covers and remove the whole lock. Take it to a smith and have the thing repaired the right way.

 

GD

[Nonmouse]

Doesn't seem to be a problem at the key end- up until today, giving the shifter a little extra "bump" or just pushing it more firmly into park would cure the issue. Is the interlock on loyales a purely mechanical linkage?

[GeneralDisorder]

Intersting - I'm not aware of any interlock mechanism between the key and the shifter on the EA82's. I just went out and tried it on the '87 coupe I have (FWD Automatic) and you can turn the key off and remove it in any gear. Perhaps the Loyale's have this feature..... I don't remember having that feature on the Legacy auto I just sold either. Hhhhmmmm - maybe someone else will know. 8 years around here I've never heard of this either..... perhaps I've blocked it from my mind from hating on the automatic's so hard.

 

Give the graphite a go and see what it does. Never a bad idea to add some graphite to your locks anyway. Can't hurt a thing.

 

GD

[Nonmouse]

Intersting - I'm not aware of any interlock mechanism between the key and the shifter on the EA82's. I just went out and tried it on the '87 coupe I have (FWD Automatic) and you can turn the key off and remove it in any gear. Perhaps the Loyale's have this feature..... I don't remember having that feature on the Legacy auto I just sold either. Hhhhmmmm - maybe someone else will know. 8 years around here I've never heard of this either..... perhaps I've blocked it from my mind from hating on the automatic's so hard.

 

Well, it's either an interlock or gremlins- and I spill enough chips and soda down there to keep the gremlins placated, I'd think...

[GeneralDisorder]

It makes *sense* that you wouldn't want the steering to lock while the car is in gear..... maybe it's just usually broken or something. It's pretty typical that you can't shift out of park when the key is not turned on and your foot isn't on the brake - there is a brake pedal interlock with the shifter. I just haven't experienced the key interlock.

 

I avoids automatic's and most especially the 3AT in the EA82's so it's entirely possible that I have overlooked this system since it doesn't apply to my cars.

 

GD