Help-Ignition key stuck

[Highway Q45]

As the title says out of nowhere the factory Fashion Key decided to get stuck in the ignition. It is a 91 Q and the new key was cut by Nissan just last Septemebr. It feels like the steering wheel lock is not engaging which prevents the key release button from pushing in. The "park' position on the shift selector appears to work because you have to turn the key to shift from park. The car still starts and stops just fine but I hate locking the doors with a key in plain sight. Should I have posted this in the Mechanic Forum?

Is there anything short of drilling to remove the key or something to persaude the steering lock to engage? Thanks in advance.

[elwesso]

you can bypass the button by doing this.....

The little ring around the key cylinder will just pry out... Take a screwdriver or something, pry it out... When you get in there, youll see a TINY red switch.. Flip it... and it will allow you to press the button and release.

[CrimsonQ]

sounds stupid, but same happened to me the othert day, just gave the shift lever a little bump up towards park and it solved the problem. It looked to bll the way in place, but wasnt.

[Highway Q45]

Thanks Wes,Do you mean that little plastic ring that glows around the lock cylinder or is it a metal ring you are talking about? Sounds like a good idea if you can be a bit more specific about this approach.

Steve

[Highway Q45]

sounds stupid, but same happened to me the othert day, just gave the shift lever a little bump up towards park and it solved the problem. It looked to bll the way in place, but wasnt.

Thanks but trust me I've tried every combo of shift lever position, turn the steering wheel, and start/stop the engine. That key release button ain't going anywhere until I can get the steering wheel to lock or override the button. I'm hoping it's not something to do with the newer key even though it's been working fine for 3 months.

[CrimsonQ]

ahh ok i didnt see that your wheel wouldnt lock. Good luck

[elwesso]

if you look, the plastic ring that glows has yet another trim piece that goes around it (and is outside of it).. I was going to take a picture but my camera batteries have ceased life.....

It looks like its part of that trim piece that goes around the steering column, but its really not...

heres a picture of what im talking about... its the best i can do.

[Highway Q45]

if you look, the plastic ring that glows has yet another trim piece that goes around it (and is outside of it).. I was going to take a picture but my camera batteries have ceased life.....

It looks like its part of that trim piece that goes around the steering column, but its really not...

heres a picture of what im talking about... its the best i can do.

Thanks Wes, that helps a lot. I'll go after it tonight when I get home tonight.

[3Q Jay]

didn't you have a similar issue sometime back? did getting a new fashion key fix the sticky tumbler--or did you do something else?

what do people think of tri-flow as a teflon [ish] lube? my keys are just starting to get sticky.

[Highway Q45]

My previous issue was a sticky original key that was sometimes tough to turn until I soaked the lock cylinder well in CRC contact cleaner. After a burglary last August I had to replace the stolen keys by vin #. The new keys have worked OK but the fashion key felt like it was awfully sharp and was a bit tight. I couldn't work on it last night and will try again tonight. I have a feeling that the spring for the post on the steering wheel lock has failed or something is jamming the key release button. I couldn't find the section in the FSM that covered the ignition switch/lock assembly. I hope the Q isn't hitting that point where electronics start going south on me like many Japanese cars; German electronics go south from the very beginning!

[Highway Q45]

you can bypass the button by doing this.....

The little ring around the key cylinder will just pry out... Take a screwdriver or something, pry it out... When you get in there, youll see a TINY red switch.. Flip it... and it will allow you to press the button and release.

Wes,Kudos for the accurate help. I was cussing you at first because I couldn't see the 'red switch' in poor lighting. I had a beer and went back and found it. I flipped it like you said and the key came out. The problem still exists if the key is turned past the 2nd position though. I didn't feel like waiting until the part can be ordered so I temporarilly pinned the 'switch' towards the rear. Works fine and both the key release and steering lock still work. I'm not sure what purpose the damn switch serves if it can be disabled like that though, but I don't care at this point. Again thanks for the help and sorry it took so long to fix it, the Holidays had my wife running in a million directions with the car.



Regards,Steve

[nuQ]

i guess it's true..................BEER DOES solve all the worlds problems,,,big and small!!!!!!

[elwesso]

Cussing at me because you couldnt figure it out!!!!!!?? I SEE HOW IT IS!

They have those switches there so that the dealer can fix things, but owners are NEVER supposed to know how to use those things!!!