Key Sticking In Ignition
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 14
Key Sticking In Ignition Have a 2001 WS6 and all of a sudden, its really hard to get my key out, took me 10 min of messing with it tonight to finally get it out....it won't go to the last click to completely go off so I can pull out. Even when I mess with turning the steering wheel while trying to get the key out. Has anyone had this type of issue. Anything I can pull apart or replace.
Thanks,
Andy
Thanks,
Andy
This happens when the key wears down and progressively gets worse over time. (Until it doesn't move the key's captive mechanism out of the way to finish the turn and get the key out.)
You should be able to keep wiggling it and hopefully it will eventually go. Once that happens - don't put it back in! You'll need a new key. If you don't have one, you can have a dealer punch you a new one. (They may also charge you extra to look up the original key code from your VIN if the key is worn too bad.)
After going through this, I've kept a good master key, (punched new from the dealer) which I make copies off of. (If you make copies off of copies, you'll get less life until you encounter this problem.)
You should be able to keep wiggling it and hopefully it will eventually go. Once that happens - don't put it back in! You'll need a new key. If you don't have one, you can have a dealer punch you a new one. (They may also charge you extra to look up the original key code from your VIN if the key is worn too bad.)
After going through this, I've kept a good master key, (punched new from the dealer) which I make copies off of. (If you make copies off of copies, you'll get less life until you encounter this problem.)
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 63
From: Knappa, Oregon
Is this an automatic? Sometimes the button inside the T handle on mine sticks and does not pop all the way out when I put it into park. So the key will not turn all the way into the full off position until I pop the button to get the little plunger inside to fully pop out.
I know how to get the T handle off to fix this part but mine is really stuck on there and I don't want to break it.
I know how to get the T handle off to fix this part but mine is really stuck on there and I don't want to break it.
Is this an automatic? Sometimes the button inside the T handle on mine sticks and does not pop all the way out when I put it into park. So the key will not turn all the way into the full off position until I pop the button to get the little plunger inside to fully pop out.
I know how to get the T handle off to fix this part but mine is really stuck on there and I don't want to break it.
I know how to get the T handle off to fix this part but mine is really stuck on there and I don't want to break it.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 14
Great, thanks. I actually had some things done and I know the shifter **** was removed - it also isn't locking into place all the time in gears with the button...I knew I needed to pull that off, I assume that's my problem!
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 63
From: Knappa, Oregon
You probably already know how to remove the T handle. In case you don't:
There is a staple/U shaped clip on the front of the T handle. It is recessed in a little slit, pry it out with a small screwdriver or other tool. Shift into neutral position so the handle is straight up, pull that clip out and the handle should pull up and off the metal tube. Once the handle is off there is a little plunger that goes up and down inside the tube that does all the shifting. The T handle just pushes that down when you push in the button. Probably needs lubrication, and sometimes these T handles get worn and sloppy, I have replaced one on another Bird I had.
Mine is a leather wrapped handle and it is really, really stuck on there. Since it is probably one of those parts that you can't easily find anymore, and it doesn't happen very often, I just put up with it.
There is a staple/U shaped clip on the front of the T handle. It is recessed in a little slit, pry it out with a small screwdriver or other tool. Shift into neutral position so the handle is straight up, pull that clip out and the handle should pull up and off the metal tube. Once the handle is off there is a little plunger that goes up and down inside the tube that does all the shifting. The T handle just pushes that down when you push in the button. Probably needs lubrication, and sometimes these T handles get worn and sloppy, I have replaced one on another Bird I had.
Mine is a leather wrapped handle and it is really, really stuck on there. Since it is probably one of those parts that you can't easily find anymore, and it doesn't happen very often, I just put up with it.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 14
You probably already know how to remove the T handle. In case you don't:
There is a staple/U shaped clip on the front of the T handle. It is recessed in a little slit, pry it out with a small screwdriver or other tool. Shift into neutral position so the handle is straight up, pull that clip out and the handle should pull up and off the metal tube. Once the handle is off there is a little plunger that goes up and down inside the tube that does all the shifting. The T handle just pushes that down when you push in the button. Probably needs lubrication, and sometimes these T handles get worn and sloppy, I have replaced one on another Bird I had.
Mine is a leather wrapped handle and it is really, really stuck on there. Since it is probably one of those parts that you can't easily find anymore, and it doesn't happen very often, I just put up with it.
There is a staple/U shaped clip on the front of the T handle. It is recessed in a little slit, pry it out with a small screwdriver or other tool. Shift into neutral position so the handle is straight up, pull that clip out and the handle should pull up and off the metal tube. Once the handle is off there is a little plunger that goes up and down inside the tube that does all the shifting. The T handle just pushes that down when you push in the button. Probably needs lubrication, and sometimes these T handles get worn and sloppy, I have replaced one on another Bird I had.
Mine is a leather wrapped handle and it is really, really stuck on there. Since it is probably one of those parts that you can't easily find anymore, and it doesn't happen very often, I just put up with it.
I have had mine off a few times - I actually replaced it with one I bought on eBay and had to custom leather wrapped - they are out there and I have my original - pic of my new ones
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