A year ago, we started having the problem of the key not turning the car off and then not being able to release the key from the ignition. You sat for awhile, a min. or two and then you were able to turn it to the off position and release the key. This would happen for a week or sometimes a month and then you never knew you had a problem The same thing happened again recently. Since April, 2008 until a week ago, there has been no problem with removing the key. All at once we are back to the problem of not being able to turn the key to the off position and release it. And, now it takes sometimes up to 15 minutes or more for it to release.
Can you help us with this?
There is a small removable panel just under the steering column. You can press the release button with your finger.
There is a solenoid & plunger next to the ignition switch inside the steering column that stops functioning. The plunger must be retracted in order for the switch to turn all the way so the key can be removed. manually insert the plunger and take out the key.
Please see my tip at http://www.fixya.com/cars/r6222268-engine_doesnt_crank_turn_over . These are generic instructions. If you get stuck or need specific instructions for your car, please get back to me with model, year and engine info.
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i have the same issue, and if it won't disengage, i have to use the parking brake to turn off the lights... it happened again this weekend, then in the morning, it wouldn't start either!! i'm curious if there might be a connection.
I had the same problem for about 3 weeks, but it seems to have corrected itself. I just kept playing around each time it happened to be able to turn the car off. For a while I could actually remove the key without turning off the engine.
Chris
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