New Car Troubles
November 30, 2005
Both last night and this morning I ran into an interesting problem with my new car: I couldn’t get the key out of the ignition. Whatever part of the ignition causes the key to lock into place was preventing it from being turned back to position 0, or off. Both times I had to start the car, put it into gear, then back out before I could get it out again.
Hrm. :\
I need to keep my eye on this in case it happens again.
are you sure there is no button or “trick” to it? i’ve often borrowed cars where the ignition seems wonky but it is just my unfamiliarity with it/being used to my own car’s quirks.
Nope, I’m sure. One has to push the key in slightly to turn it back to 0, and this just wouldn’t go. After putting it in gear and back out something would release and the key could be removed.
It’s just like if I had left the car in gear (D) and I was trying to remove the key.
does your owner’s manual say anything about key positioning? it can’t hurt to call the dealership if the problem continues… you might just have a wonky ignition or a poorly cut key.
Nope… I may get a hold of the dealer, it’s only 10 minutes from my house. We’ll see what goes on over the next few days.
good luck (: with it being a new model year & a redesign, you may end up being a guinea pig!
Heh, I hope not. It sure is shiny otherwise, though.
Actually, every single time this has happened to me, it was related to the steering wheel position. If the key doesn’t come out, try moving the steerign wheel.
It was dead on straight ahead… I kept trying that, but it didn’t work. It only resolved after I started the vehicle, reversed a few feet, drove forward a few feet, then returned the vehicle to park. Similar situation last night in my garage and this morning in a Starbucks parking lot.
Odd, that.
I found that it didn’t matter whether it was straight or not (on my saturn), only whether the wheel itself had locked or not.
Hmm, interesting. I’ll have to play with that next time then.
That’s the problem I had in my KIA – the dealership told me it’s a steering wheel locking mechanism. Next time it happens pull on you steering wheel to the left and then try to take out the key. :)
it happens to mine from time to time…
doubt the 2 are related, but still..
Hrm, weird….
my jeep has this problem often. I discovered that in my case…it’s because the gear shifter doesn’t fully click into park…i just have to nudge mine forward to make sure it clicked in then the key will turn.