Cant get key out of ignition switch. Help!!

I purchased a 97 tacoma, that i owned about 3 years ago, 3 weeks ago and the key is stuck in the ignition switch. I can unhook the battery and the key will come out but with the battery hooked up it will just go to acc and stop. I replaced the 2 bushings that go onto the crossbar on the shifter and that took out the slop but the key still wouldnt come out. Ive looked online and also here on tw but havent found anyone having the same problems. Everything ive seen and read when the new bushings are installed it allows the key to come out if it wasnt previously. I think it migh be a sensor but any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

These are different threads:

Key stuck in ignition

Key Stuck in Ignition

key stuck in ignition

key stuck in acc position

 

I take it you tried jiggling the steering wheel?

 

Is your truck in park?

 

Yes i have. Ive tried holding it different ways and going from drive to park, wiggling the shifter while in park, dang near everything i can think of anyways.

 

Yes it is. Like i told ryfox0276 ive tried everything i can possibly think of

 

There is a solenoid that allows the key to be removed after the car is put in park. If removing the battery lead allows the key to be removed the switch in the shifter is bad, or the truck is not all the way in park. That’s my first guess.

 

I once had a car come into the shop that had this same problem. She was putting her hair bands on the shifter for storage. A few of them worked down into the mechanism and stopped the button from being able to make contact.

 

you can just unplug the solenoid from the back of the ignition. You’ll just have to be extra cautious that the truck is actually in park before you step out.

 

You might just need a new ignition switch. The truck is getting up there in years.

 

Thanks man i will try this and let yall know how it goes. I just hate having to unhook my battery every evening when i get home from work so i dont drain the battery

 

Yeah thats very true but the truck started doing it 4 years or so ago when me and my dad rebuilt it from the frame up so i dont think its the switch but it wont hurt to look into it

 

like I say. If disconnecting the battery works, the problem is in the shifter. The button that opens the solenoid is not working. The solenoid (ignition) is doing exactly what it’s supposed to.

 

I know the advice in these posts are coming from a 3rd genner so it's hard to know if you can trust him.... but in this case he is definitely onto something here and his advice will be worthwhile for OP to check into.

 

Verify your shifter is adjusted properly .