Broken key-release mechanism after playing with shifter

[bstone]

97 OBW AT

 

I was hunting for the light bulb under the gear shifter and ended up cracking a tiny piece of plastic which is part of the system to release the key from the ignition. Now when I shut off the car I have to stuck my fingernail into a tiny little lever under the gear shifter on the passenger side and push up until I hear a "CLICK" from the steering column which then allows the key to come out. My options are to either piece the plastic back together which may not be completely possible due to missing parts OR somehow disable this system. Shifting is just fine and I don't notice anything else not malfunctioning.

 

Does anyone know how I can disable this system entirely? I imagine I'd have to remove a module or something from the steering column but I'm unsure exactly what to do. I can't exactly figure out why there is something preventing the key from coming out.

 

As a kicker, I also didn't find the lightbulb.

Edited August 12, 2016 by bstone

[987687]

It's been a while, but I had a similar issue with a 98 automatic subaru I had years ago. If you take the steering column plastics off there's a solenoid bolted to the ignition tumbler, removing that will let you turn the key all the way off whenever you want. I think it's on the bottom, but I can't remember exactly, the ignition is a pretty small part so it should be easy to spot. It's a big tumor with two wires.

 

The top of the tumbler has two black wires, too, but those go to the flap that makes it beep when your key is in the ignition. What you're looking for is toward the bottom.

[bstone]

It's been a while, but I had a similar issue with a 98 automatic subaru I had years ago. If you take the steering column plastics off there's a solenoid bolted to the ignition tumbler, removing that will let you turn the key all the way off whenever you want. I think it's on the bottom, but I can't remember exactly, the ignition is a pretty small part so it should be easy to spot. It's a big tumor with two wires.

 

The top of the tumbler has two black wires, too, but those go to the flap that makes it beep when your key is in the ignition. What you're looking for is toward the bottom.

Do you think it's this one? It seemed to jiggle when I pressed on the lever under the gear shifter.

 

[987687]

That's the switch that makes the dinger ding when the key is in the ignition. What you're looking for is on the bottom, I seem to recall.

 

It looks like you broke the plastic off.. That really isn't necessary, there are two screws on the bottom that remove the plastics. Fortunately my 2nd gen is a stick, otherwise I'd go take a pic for you.

Edited August 15, 2016 by 987687

[bstone]

That little thing circled in red is the key-release mechanisms. I took a long, thin screwdriver and if I push on the little button in the middle the key will release. After messing around with it the key regularly releases. I also removed the first cable on top to stop the dinger from dinging which I find really annoying.

[987687]

I don't know about the code alarm system, but with the 99+ alpine alarm system you can't program remotes unless the key is in the ignition. So if that's unplugged, it won't program. Just something to keep in mind if you ever try to program a new keyfob. If you don't have the miserable code alarm system, disregard...

[bstone]

I don't know about the code alarm system, but with the 99+ alpine alarm system you can't program remotes unless the key is in the ignition. So if that's unplugged, it won't program. Just something to keep in mind if you ever try to program a new keyfob. If you don't have the miserable code alarm system, disregard...

 

Thanks for letting me know, tho the 97 OBW AT only required pressing the reset button under the steering column and then pressing the fob button.