Key stuck in ignition

210K and the key no longer will retract after stopping the engine. Tried moving the wheel around and no joy. Ordered an after market ignition and installed it today. Same problem. Key will not come out. I can crank the engine and shut it off but the key will not completely rotate CCW locking the steering wheel allowing the key to slide out. So... of course now my truck sits at night with the key in the ignition and doors unlocked. GRRRR....

Anybody else run into this?

 

Are you in an automatic? I think the play in the shifter has something to do with this. IIRC, you need to change the bushings in there. A couple of bucks for the bushings, and a youtube vid should set you straight. I think there may be some alignment issues internally, that prevent you from removing the key, since it thinks it's not in "Park". Hope that works.

Check this out: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-1995-tacoma-sr5-4x4-v6.681167/#post-24294227

 

Yes, automatic. I will give it a look. Thanks...

After reviewing the video I really don't see the relationship of the bushings good or bad to the key failing to retract. Maybe I missed something? I would be willing to take this project on if it is in fact the problem. My shifter is tight and has no wear apparent when shifting. All seems normal in that regard.

My Face Is Red. I removed the cover from the console shift area and inspected the one observable bushing. Gone completely. I thought it was shifting ok.... well I guess not. I did find that by moving around the electric switch wiring boxes you have to remove to do this procedure will allow the key to be removed and the wheel locked. Not sure how but it does allow key removal. Something to do with the physical pin that locks the wheel. I will order the bushings and tear it all down when they get here and see what I see. I don't see the relationship between the bushings and the ignition but it must be there. Anybody have any experience with this bushing/key removal?

 

Update... all finished replacing the shifter bushings. Key problem solved. First time I tried to go from Park to Reverse the shifter was so snug I thought it was locked in park. Like a new truck again. What a difference 4 small plastic bushings make.

 

Sounds like you got some good advice were open to considering possibilities that didn't initially make sense to you. AFAIK, the shifter needs to be fully in park (there is a switch) for the key to be released. If the bushings are too worn, the switch won't be activated. The shifter and the key release are electrically coupled, not mechanically.

 

Yes, that is the case. I learn something everyday. I am no mechanic so if it were not for forums like this I would be at the mercy of Toyota I suppose. Thanks. Now on to replacing the passenger side door handle. Oh joy.

 

Yep. It happens in my 1998 4Runner at least once or twice a week. I put my foot on the brake and cycle the gear select from Park to L2 quickly and back 2 or 3 times, then it lets the key come out. I've been doing that for the past 6 years, doesn't really bother me.
There's also a known problem when the wheel sometimes locks and the key wont turn the cylinder - happens in all older Toyotas. Just shimmy the wheel a little side to side in Park and then it will unlock and let you turn the key.

 

Wonder if this would have been prevented by regularly (every 6 months?) adding some lubricating oil to your key, and sticking it in. I'm only saying so because I learned the hard way, to regularly lubricate the driver's side door key-cylinder after it failed on me

 

the bushings are a few bucks, and it just takes some time to replace them. I can see how it would be more convenient to just cycle the shifter everytime, but it becomes a pain, especially if you're in a sketchy area, and need to take the key out, but it just won't budge. To each their own. I changed mine so I wouldn't have to go through all of that. I'm sure, however, some may find your method a better fit for them. Thanks for sharing your fix for this

 

Doubt it. The issue in this case was the bushing in the shifter area (I forget what their formal name is!). Wear on the bushing causes it to deteriorate (in this case, disintegrate!), and as @AmherstAndy mentioned...

So, I don't think lubrication of the key, or key cylinder plays a part in this.

 

OOoooh gotcha! So it's the same problem with the shifter being so loose, that it wouldn't allow you to shift properly into park. Yep, those little bushings are a pain to replace. Good thing they last about 15 years before they disintegrate again

 

Had this happen on my sisters forerunner. She had some “help” getting it out and broke the entire shifter off yanking on it. On one of my older trucks I have had the key get hung in the ignition and gave it a shot if wd40 in the cylinder.

 

I know this is a older post, but having the exact same issues. Headed to toyota tomorrow to pick up the bushings. I did find out if you unplug the 2 white wire harnesses the key will be released, then plug them back in when you need to move it or drive it.

Hope this fixes the issue- should know this weekend

 

This key-removal issue just happened to me. I have not diagnosed it yet.

BUT, simply disconnecting the battery allowed me to remove the key,
until I fix it permanently. A little-known get-around.

 

Does your shifter have play in it when at rest more than normal? It is most likely the shifter bushings are toast. There is a guy in here that sells a set of 4 that are better than factory and cheap. If it happens to be the bushings I would recommend to search for his red bushings.

 

maybe once in a pinch, but resetting your ECU all the time will be expensive gas mileage-wise, so I wouldn't suggest that as a regular practice. Just replace the bushings, they are cheap, and the process really isn't that hard.

 

My truck has the opposite issue. The key can come out of the ignition at any time, running or not, in gear or not.

 

I changed my bushing before I had the same issue. It was done 2 yrs ago now it gets stuck if I park on any uneven surface it has to be level to remove my keys. Is it the ignition switch?