jdphillips73

Car will start. I cannot remove the key. Tried lowering steering wheel, turning side to side...won't come out.. Car is 2007 with 40 k miles... Any suggestions??

CutterWolf

Is your car an automatic?

jdphillips73

Yes-automatic..... It's like the key won't fully go to lock position...is it safe to spray wd40 in there?

CutterWolf

Ok, I have found this to be a pretty common problem with the stock automatic shifter. This is how you get the keys out:

On the right side of the shifter bezel you see a small flat button. Push that button down as far as it goes and at the same time turn your key. If that does not work do the same thing again but this time push forward on the shifter. This will let you get your key out.

Here is a pic of the button.



If that still does not work PM me and I will give you my cell # and I'll walk you threw it on the phone.

mtbker29

Did you guys get the key out?

defiance

I had the same issue once, I had to put the car back in drive and then to park. For some reason it didn't engage park the first time and I was unable to get the key out.

aaquib1992

I've had a similar problem with putting the car into drive/reverse... Almost like the shifter likes to hang in the dead space between the gears.

Now I just wiggle it to make sure it's engaged before I do anything. These shifters were made with appallingly bad tolerances.

Nuke

Is your steering wheel turned hard or to the turn stops? I've seen where a key wouldn't come out of the cylinder until steering wheel pressure against the steering lock mechanism was relieved.

Andrew Palmer

I have a 2003 Mustang that I just bought last weekend. WE got it back from a repair shop that we trust and he assured me that there are no problems. when i parked my car in my driveway and turned the car off, it wouldnt let me remove the key. i cant take it out or turn the car on. i can still use the clutch and shift gears but cant get the keys out. brake pedal is locked up and so is the steering wheel, but i can turn the steering wheel a little to the left. i was thinking about releasing the e-brake and letting it roll down my driveway in neutral to see if it might help but i didnt think it would be to good of an idea as my brake pedal is locked and so is my steering wheel. any ideas on what i should do? 2003 mustang (base model) 99 k miles, 5 speed man. trans
thanks

wcgman

Even though you don't have power to your brakes, you still have brakes. You just have to push a lot harder. When you say your brake pedal is locked, that doesnt make sense to me. Even off, you can still apply hard pressure to work the brakes.

When I've had this happen in a manual, everytime it was because of being close to the steering lock. Turn the wheel harder in both directions while trying to make sure you're definitely in the off position then remove your key.