[White99SLS]

Hi everyone, I've been looking around on the forum and can't seem to find my answer so I'm gonna post. I just recently came about the problem of having my key stuck in the ignition and from the forum I found how to get to the ignition lock switch. My problem is that I can't turn the key or get it out and in order for me to take the radio out I need to remove the wood trim around the shifter. Well since I can't turn the key, I can't move the shifter into neutral to remove the wood panel, thus I can't remove the radio because I cant get to the bolts underneath. I was wondering if there might be a shifter release somewhere to help me with my problem. Thanks............


PS- I managed to get the key out of the ignition and I can put it back in but it still doesn't turn. My steering wheel also doesn't lock. It is able to turn freely. Is it definately my ignition lock cylinder or could it be something else?

 

[Ranger]

Try a shot of WD40 or such in the lock cylinder.

 

[White99SLS]

Hopefully that works, worst case I have to have it towed to the dealer which I'd rather not spend an arm and a leg for. Hopefully it's something I can fix myself....

 

[White99SLS]

Still haven't fixed it, anyone have any info on this?

 

[clok1966]

most likley if its like other floor auot shifters there is a metal "lock" for lack of a better word that is holding it in place. If you can get the panel up so you can get a screwdriver or such (they do have very short screwdrivers) you should be able to pusth it back and move the shifter. Now this inst the case with all floor shifter so may not be the case in the Caddy. But if you can get the top off enouhg to look in you should be able to see waht is keeping it from moving and GENTLY push it back so the shifter will move.

 

[SwampeastMike]

If you remove the shift knob, I'm fairly certain that you can remove the shifter trim plate with the shift in any position. To remove the knob, pull straight up with a firm, hard jerk.

The cable between the ignition switch and the shifter has an integral solenoid (a cylindrical bulge in the cable ahead of the shifter) that functions to keep the shifter from moving sideways from Park. There is a second solenoid in the shifter assembly itself, but its purpose seems to be to prevent shifting from Drive through Neutral into Reverse when the vehicle is moving forward; when the solenoid engaged the shifter will only move through the forward gears and neutral.

 

[[NortHStaR]]

My friends STS did this and it ended up being that the shift lever was not fully up in park (like by a centimeter) so when he wants to turn the key he has to push and hold the lever forward and it turns just fine.