cow1787

Hey guys, I just got home and my key is stuck in the ignition. It'll turn to on, and it'll crank, but it won't go to the 'get the hell out' position. Anything I can do?

slamdlude

Is it an auto?

cow1787

Yeah, guess I should have said that..

Should probably also mention the neutral safety switch is messed up so I can only start the car if it's in Neutral...and I can't put it in Neutral if the key is stuck in the ignition. Haha.

slamdlude

Well, there is a cable that runs from the shifter to the ignition cylinder that only allows the key to come out when the car is in park. you might try taking the screws out of the shroud that covers the ignition and removing that cable to allow the key to turn to the off position. I would leave it off if you are having problems with the neutral safety switch and now this. Or just try shoving it up into park a few times to try and jog the cable loose.

cow1787

So could the cable that runs from the shifter to the ignition just be caught on something? Or would it be more the ignition itself?

slamdlude

No. Your car thinks it is still in reverse not in park because the cable is either out of adjustment or broken or is just stuck inside the shield that covers it. Just pull the shifter down into drive and shove it into park a few times pretty hard and/or hold the shifter up into park while trying to turn the key backwards into the lock position. If that doesn't work call a local locksmith. I am a locksmith and run into this same problem quite a bit.

cow1787

I got it. Pretty much what you said (I guess), or at least I messed with the shifter. Took it apart so it was just the rod and pressed it in and made sure it was in park. Key came out. So apparently something with wrong with the thumb button on the handle that was preventing it from being in 'park' when it was.

Thanks for the help man.

Brnhaze

Anyone for images of what cable to remove ?