arren123

My key has been getting stuck in my ignition more often now that its been getting cold. Sometimes it would take a minute of jiggling and turning before I could get it out. Not sure if the ambient temperature is really a factor though.

Today, when I went to park in a parking lot, I put it in reverse to back into a spot, but the "R" indicator light did not light up on my instrument panel and it never put itself in Reverse gear. So I put it in park and then I got stuck in park and the "P" indicator light never came up.

After about 3-5 minutes of coaxing I was able to get it out of park because the "P" indicator finally came up.

When I got home I did some troubleshooting and observation.
If I have it in drive and then throw it into Park and turn off the car right away, the key will get stuck in the ignition. I was able to duplicate this scenario every single time.
When I have it in drive and then throw it into Park and leave the car on, I noticed that the Park indicator light does not come on. It comes on after a 2 to 3 second delay. After the light comes on, I can turn off the car and take the key out. I was able to duplicate this scenario every single time too.

This delay also sometimes happens when going into reverse.

So... I guess the question is, is the delay I'm experiencing normal ?
If its not normal, what could the problem be, the shift switch assembly ?

kynetik

try squirting some wd40 in the keyhole. sometimes i have that problem and wd40 clears it up quickly.

youdontknowmeeither

same exact thing on my car. it's probably the switch on the shifter assembly. take it apart and clean the contacts and that should help out a bit. or get the new switch. It's a pain in the *** when you can't turn your ignition off and it's 10 degrees outside...i was stuck for 20 minutes one night before it finally shut off.

arren123

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kynetik &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try squirting some wd40 in the keyhole. sometimes i have that problem and wd40 clears it up quickly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, I don't think that's going to help in this case. I can get the key to come out every single time when I do the second scenario (shift from drive to park and wait about 2 to 3 seconds for the Park indicator light to come on).
If I turn off the car (put the key to position 1) before the indicator light comes on, the mechanism to release the key does not release.

I think Zachlange might be on the right track. I did remove my center console and took a peek at the shifter switch. I didn't take the switch out though, so I'm not sure what contacts to clean. It seems like the switch is working though. The delay is the part that is throwing me off.

youdontknowmeeither

i think that the grease that the factory puts on there soooner or later gets gummed up and doesn't conduct electricity as well when it's cold. it's the main electric switch that is on the shifter assembly. just take a scotch bright and clean the contacts and re grease it. it should help.

yc_dc4mar

my girlfriend has the same problem in her DA. when its cold the key doesnt want to come out. shes always late to school because of that.lol

EtherEG93

Me too,
Daily driver sedan 93 lx
automatic

i have to take the - battery terminal off to get the key out

where is this conductor located that i can try to clean?
Thanks a bunch

youdontknowmeeither

in the shifter assembly. (on the right side of the shifter)

youdontknowmeeither

that's my thought...lol it's a bit more expensive though..

arren123

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Raven_NJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have an idea...get a manual transmission</TD></TR></TABLE>

Gee.. What a great idea ! (said with lots of sarcasm )

91' LS-VTEC

I have the same problemon my wagovan.

Ari

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EtherEG93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Me too,


i have to take the - battery terminal off to get the key out

</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol. wtf?

EtherEG93

Its the truth,
cause the sensor went bad i guess
i do

I have a manual Hatch 94 dx so dont hate

This is my DD