jknguyen80

i just picked up a 97 ls400 today. when i turn car off and try to pull key out it gets stuck so it wont come out. the old owner said turn the key real fast to the right like where ima turn the motor over and turn back to left and pull out quickly. thats only way i noticed key would come out. this is the stock key to the car as well not aftermarket key. does anyone know why this is happening? thanks

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

either the key is worn to hell (sorta likely) or the lock cylinder is worn to hell (pretty unlikely).

if you're having trouble shifting into reverse, it could be the park/neutral safety switch dying.

rburg

Have had the same problem on occasion with my 95 LS. With mine it is the steering column locking the steering wheel & put a slight bind on the lock. This prevented me from removing the key. Try turning the steering wheel with slight pressure (left/right) to release the pressure on the lock mechanism & remove the key. Hope this works for you.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

you might also try a little lube on the key and into the lock cylinder, I had to do this on my 96 trunk lock only dont use WD40, use a real lube....

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

don't use any petroleum based lube. for the lock cylinders ONLY use graphite powder or graphite spray lubes designed especially for locks. (if you can get the ones that say "electric lock safe" all the better.)

jknguyen80

thanks ill try this and let you know if these thing worked.

sethjon

A trunk lock is completely different than the ignition.

jknguyen80

ok so today i tried taking key out. while i barely turn my steering wheel left and right and it didnt work. if i put key in ignition and turn to on position i can take the key out fine. but if i turn the car completely on where the motor is on then turn key off. i cant pull the key out at all. so i gotta turn car off. then turn key all the way to right where the starter pretty much trys to turn car on then turn key quickly back to left and pull out. this weekend i will try to lube the key and really hope this is the problem.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

keep us posted...

celsiorbc

I too may be able to make a suggestion, In my 93 celsior i have an issue with my ignition and i have found it to be linked to my shifter. If I dont make sure it is all the way in park the key wont turn all the way off , just enough to stop the car not enough to remove the key. If this happens i turn the key back "ON" and push the shifter forward ever so slightly and you can hear a click, then the key can be turned "OFF" and the key can be removed. Maybe you have the same issue??? Anyone else have the same problem or hear of it. No big deal kind of annoying though.

yaQuzza

iTrader: (5)

I have a 97. Hope that doesn't happens to me. LOL