key stuck in ignition in acc position

[babablue]

hi, i was out of town for 6 weeks and left my 1990 q45 with my aunt. she used it a few times but not too much because she was unable to remove the key. the battery ran down about 2 weeks ago, and when i came back i realized the key was stuck in the acc position. i can move the key to the on position but can't move it back past the acc position to the lock position. I have searched the forum and tried the other suggestions like removing the ring around the ignition and pushing the red release button, moving the shift stick and wiggling the steering wheel but nothing works. Can anyone help me? it will be greatly appreciated.thanks

[AlabamaDan]

Does the button beside the key push in at all? If not I'd say there might be something with the shift lock linkage or something. I have the same problem in my jeep. One I get it in park I give it a little push one last time and I hear it click. Once it clicks, the key comes right out.

[babablue]

It doesn't go all the way back to the lock position, so i don't think the button is the problem

[BadQ45t]

If you have AAA Premium than a lock smith is included I think once per year. With a 1990 Q45, if you do not have AAA it is time to sign up I keep the Premium as it gives you 100 miles of towing for free and a lock smith if required.

Can you recharge that battery or buy a new one if your batt is shot and drive it? That is much cheaper if you can get it to a good car locksmith than if they have to come to you...but sounds like your gonna need one. Those guys deal with these all the time (ones that know about cars) and will be cheaper than the stealership or probably even a local mechanic.

[Dtrnql]

Mine stuck while the car was running, after pulling the fuel pump fuse I removed the steering column covers, found the glow ring had come unfastened, had the key locked in one position. Hope this helps !!!

[babablue]

i charged the battery this morning and tried turning the car on and off. Twice the key moved all the way back to the off position and one of those times I was able to remove it. But then when I stuck it back in and turned it on, I couldn't turn all the way back and its stuck again at the acc position. I then took it to a mechanic who said the ignition switch needs to be changed. He said the button beside the key is stuck and he tried graphite powder and some other stuff but its not a transmission problem. In my opinion though, I don't think he knows much about Infinitis. Can a locksmith really be the solution to my problem?

[maxnix]

So the key release button is the problem.

He might well be correct that the ingnition switch is on the way out.

[babablue]

thanks to everybody who has replied. If the switch indeed is getting bad, I guess its better to change it. I found thishttp://www.autopartswarehouse.....htmland just wanted to ask if that is what I need?

And another question I have is what is the difference between the ignition switch and the lock cylinder? I was thinking they were the same thing
Modified by babablue at 5:05 PM 7/7/2008

[maxnix]

Don't know what year your car is since it isn't in your profile, but if you need the ignition cylinder assembly, you should go to the dealer and have it confirmed as ony the dealer can provide an ignition cylinder keyed to youor master so you don't hve to change your other lock cylinders.

[babablue]

its a 1990 model. i don't mind having seperate keys for the ignition and doors. what i really want to know now is if the release button(since that seems to be the problem) is part of the lock cylinder or the ignition switch?

[maxnix]

Call IOS and find out.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

[AlabamaDan]

I still think that it might be a problem with the shift linkage causing the button to stick. They're interconnected. Carry it to the dealer. It's probably a few hundred to fix.

[babablue]

well i still don't know what was wrong with it, but i took it to a different mechanic today and got it fixed. I knew the other mechanic didn't know what he was talking about. I did get warned that the cylinder is weak. Is it possible for a locksmith to build a new cylinder that will fit my current key?

[Colts45]

Ok!...So I'm a new kid on the block...just signed up.I've been enjoying this site for well over a year, and finally took the plunge today.I have a 1990 Q with 104k miles. I've owned it since 1993.About 6 months ago my key also stuck.Not wanting to take the car to the dealer, I figured the best thing to do was start takingit apart... I removed the steering column cover and found a little spring button on top.I pressed it while turning the key and it released.I drove it for a while this way and then like magic, it healed itself!Hope this helps!Thanks to everyone on this site for all the great advice!

[96Qowner]

Welcome to NICO, Colts45!

Thanks for the kind words, and for adding to the fabulous NICO archives.

[JedCoop]

NO NEED TO CHANGE THE COLUMN LOCK!IMOThe key is $150.

Having gone through a lot of key problems, what you need is a brand new key from Infiniti. These things wear, esp. on the '90-93's because there is no keyless entry.

I have three keys for my 1992 Q. One works perfectly. One works about 30% of the time if you use it with finesse. And one almost never works. Guess which one is new?

Also, the key CAN GET STUCK, just like you say. Graphite and non-chlorinated thin spray lubricant (e.g., Green WD-40), some gentle leverage, and a little Zen patience and I am sure you will work the key out. Good luck.

p.s. I also installed a keyless entry on my 1992 to preserve the current new key.

[maj Andres]

I'm having the same problem with my 95 240sx. It will not go to the off position to take the key out, but it will turn on the car and everything. I've tried searching but nothing really specific comes up.

[Wonderwomen3825]

I just had the same problem with my 04 Infiniti Q45 it all was caused by a blown fuse. Once I replaced the fuse my key came right out an was able to turn it to lock. It basically puts the service u it system in to theft modemy fuse panel was inside up by the brake pedal and driver side door