Ignition lock is stuck in the on position

[montypythizzle]

1989 Corvette, the key is stuck in the on position, can only turn it to start it, cannot turn it back.
I think the shifter has something to do with it because in Park it does not "lock" the transmission, forcing you to use the parking brake, even on a flat surface.

Any quick fixes or anything anyone recommends.
It is pretty much the same ignition as in most pre 96 Chevys, although it does have the theft deterent key.

 

[foghorn67]

Does the shifter have any play in it. Does it wiggle this way and that?

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Does the shifter have any play in it. Does it wiggle this way and that?

Well we pushed in and pulled out the parking lock cable (similar to a brake cable on a bike) to no avail, we are thinking it has to do with the lock column its self.

 

[AdamK47]

The 94 I had use to do that when it was cold. In my case it was the button on the automatic shifter not popping all the way up when put into park. I had to shake it back and forth until it popped up. That only happened when it was really cold though.

 

[bctbct]

Might be the ignition itself. I have a 93 chevy truck and had problems with the key getting stuck. I finally had a new ignition put in by a locksmith. Mine would get stuck and I could not turn it off...that was a pain.

 

[boomerang]

I believe you've got two separate problems.

The key problem sounds as though the lock itself needs to be replaced as was said.

Not holding in Park is a problem that was real common to the '89 model year. The parking pawl in the transmission itself gets messed up.

If I remember correctly they had a "secret warranty" to repair them. I'm sure that window has long since passed.

If I remember correctly, the heat treating on the pawl itself was faulty.
My memories on the parking pawl problem are pretty hazy so I may not have it exactly right.

 

[montypythizzle]

Yeah we are thinking it is the key column its self. HMM, seems 89 was a bad year, the clear coat on my S10 was recalled, but the owner never got that fix and now the truck is very rusty and then the recall for that pawl mentioned! Poor 89 cars

 

[jagec]

Sounds like it wants you to keep driving it!

/edit: 89 was a great year for Toyota, I owned two and they were both very good and reliable.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Also, check the linkage cable for the shifter. If that gets loose, the transmission either won't engage park or the safety may not "think" that the transmission is in park, either case would result in the car refusing to let you remove the key in most modern vehicles.

ZV

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Also, check the linkage cable for the shifter. If that gets loose, the transmission either won't engage park or the safety may not "think" that the transmission is in park, either case would result in the car refusing to let you remove the key in most modern vehicles.

ZV

I think you've nailed it there.

 

[montypythizzle]

Well, IDK what he is going to do with it but yeah it wouldn't shut off at Krogers so we had to drive it home and then unplugged the distributor, with gas prices, especially premium gas prices it isn't a good idea to let it just "go". Well it has a sort of cable that when you go far enough it will be in "park" but we moved it back and forth and such and the key did not release.

 

[bctbct]

Can he pull the key out of the ignition when the car is running? Thats what happened to mine, it was so worn it stopped recognizing there was a key in it.