Help: Auto Tranny Key Release

[Graveone]

Need some help,
I have an 03 N/A with an auto transmission. I have just over 40k miles, so I'm not under the warranty anymore. As with most cars, the ignition will release the key once the car is stopped and the transmission is in park. Lately, when I park the car and turn off the ignition, the key will not go into the off position and allow the key to come out of the ignition. I normally will have to put the tranny in and out of gear a few times before it will release the key. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Is this a transmission problem or an ignition problem? And would this be covered by the 70k Drive Train warranty? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.[:I]

[quicksilverdon]

2 thoughts:
1) Foot firmly on the brake when you try to go in/out of park? It's something I had to get used to - a safety interlock.
2) The lock cylinder may be bad. Do you (like my wife) have pounds of keys on your car keychain? It screws up the lock.

[RallyDRock]

not sure if its only on the stick cars but I have a button just beind the key that has to be pressed in to remove the key. could be a bad park/neutral switch otherwise.

[MichaelDay]

quote:Originally posted by RallyDRock

not sure if its only on the stick cars but I have a button just beind the key that has to be pressed in to remove the key. could be a bad park/neutral switch otherwise.

Yep, the button behind the key is ONLY on the manual transmission. The automatic just has to have the gear shift in Park. However, if the steering wheel lock is binding the key will still not come out. Might try putting pressure on the steering wheel to the right then the left to see if the key comes out easier.

[Graveone]

Seems to be tied directly to the gear shift being in the park position. Tried turning the steering wheel to no avail. Just don't know if it is a mechanical lever/switch that is tripped when shifting into park or is it something electrical that is tripped. Guess I'll go see a mechanic friend of mine tonight and see what he thinks. Will let you know what I find out. Thanks for everyones input.[^]

[Cal Cruzer]

My 03 came with the 7/70 powertrain warranty. If it is a tranny problem it should be covered.

[purple04]

Hey all, I got the service manual info for Graveone on this. There is a shift interlock cable that runs from the shifter to the ignition switch. There is an adjustment outlined that is done at the shifter end. He should be able to get his key out tonight. If anyone else has this come up, look in section 21. I won't go into detail, since this is a basic antitheft feature, and I'm sure no one wants a PT to disappear.