My key cannot be removed from the ignition switch
My key cannot be removed from the ignition switch
My car is 1992 sentra classic. The mileage is just around 120,000 km. Recently, the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch. I have to remove the steering column cover and depress a certain "area" inside before I can remove the key. Could you please advise how I can fix the problem?That "area" comes out when I turn the key to the "On" position. I tried to take out the component/part (with the "area") which is connected to the ignition lock cylinder to see what is inside. There is a solenoid/relay. The shaft of the solenoid will make that "part" coming out or retracted. But now the shaft could not be retracted and so the "area" could not go back.
You might have a bad shift solonoid[located by your automatic shifter] Or a bad shift lock controler. The shift solonoid by the automatic shifter pushes the cable to release the key. If its a stick you have the controller that releases the key. When you turn the key of it releases the solonoid and you can then extract the key. The controller is located either in your left kick panel or above the knee panel under your steering wheel. I believe it is green in color.
Re: (NISTECH)
Thanks for your information. I found the green shift lock controller. But I could not find a way to take it out. It is attached to a metal "U" bracket by a screw. The screw is from the inside of the "U" and so it cannot be taken out. The "U" bracket is attached to the car wall by something like a big rivet and so I also could not take out the controller with the bracket. Could you please tell me how to take it out so that I can replace it if it is defective?NISTECH wrote:You might have a bad shift solonoid[located by your automatic shifter] Or a bad shift lock controler. The shift solonoid by the automatic shifter pushes the cable to release the key. If its a stick you have the controller that releases the key. When you turn the key of it releases the solonoid and you can then extract the key. The controller is located either in your left kick panel or above the knee panel under your steering wheel. I believe it is green in color.
Re: (NISTECH)
Hi Nistech,
Finally, I can take out the green shift lock controller.
Here is what I found out. From the lock controller, two wires are connected to a solenoid located near the lock cylinder. When the key is turned from off to on, the solenoid changes from retracted position to the extended position. This extended position will block the "key released button" from being depressed for removing the key. When the key is turned from on back to off position, the solenoid does not change from extended position to retracted position and so the key cannot be removed because the "key released button" is still blocked. Therefore, in this case, it may be the lock controller is not working because it does not provide a signal or voltage to make the solenoid retracts when the key is turned to off position. Or it may be the solenoid is not working because it does not retract. Then may I ask how can I know which part is not working (the lock controller or the solenoid)?
I have tried to removed the solenoid. Without the solenoid, then nothing is blocking the "key released button" and so I can remove the key when I turn the key from "on" to "off" position and depress the "key released button. Then can I just remove the solenoid permanently to solve my problem? Will there be any danger when driving without that solenoid? What is the exact function of the solenoid?
Finally, I can take out the green shift lock controller.
Here is what I found out. From the lock controller, two wires are connected to a solenoid located near the lock cylinder. When the key is turned from off to on, the solenoid changes from retracted position to the extended position. This extended position will block the "key released button" from being depressed for removing the key. When the key is turned from on back to off position, the solenoid does not change from extended position to retracted position and so the key cannot be removed because the "key released button" is still blocked. Therefore, in this case, it may be the lock controller is not working because it does not provide a signal or voltage to make the solenoid retracts when the key is turned to off position. Or it may be the solenoid is not working because it does not retract. Then may I ask how can I know which part is not working (the lock controller or the solenoid)?
I have tried to removed the solenoid. Without the solenoid, then nothing is blocking the "key released button" and so I can remove the key when I turn the key from "on" to "off" position and depress the "key released button. Then can I just remove the solenoid permanently to solve my problem? Will there be any danger when driving without that solenoid? What is the exact function of the solenoid?
The purpose of the solonoid is to be sure you have put the vehicle in park before you exit the vehicle.
The controller gets its signal from either the shift level or the inhibit switch on the trans. Typically its the shift lever. When the controller sees that signal it sends an out put signal to deactivate the solonoid in the key cyl. It will have 0 effect on the car when driving if you remove it. You look to see if the solonoid is getting voltage when you put the car in park and have the key in the off position.
The controller gets its signal from either the shift level or the inhibit switch on the trans. Typically its the shift lever. When the controller sees that signal it sends an out put signal to deactivate the solonoid in the key cyl. It will have 0 effect on the car when driving if you remove it. You look to see if the solonoid is getting voltage when you put the car in park and have the key in the off position.