The wife and I went out for a little drive this morning and when we stopped to get something to drink, I couldn't get the key out of the ignition. Have never had this issue before. Turned the wheel fully both directions, but the key won't go into the lock position. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Would this happen to be a column shift car converted to floor shift?

In any case, this is caused by the backdrive linkage from the trans to the column being misadjusted or missing. Grab the collar on the steering column where the shift lever would be and rotate it as far counterclockwise as possible while turning the key to LOCK. If it won't move, go under the hood and disconnect the linkage rod to the steering column and try it again.

 

Ding! Ding! Well done Joe!

This was originally a column shift car and a floor shifter was installed. The collar on the column shift had moved out of position. Rotated back to park and it's good to go.

 

Helpful hint: If the collar is rotated after you take the key out, it makes a great theft deterrent.

- Eric

 

Oh man, this saved my day ! Just arrived at my office, key won´t go out, car didnt crank anymore....i saw myself towing the car back home, then I decided to take a look in this forum to find a possible soultion. One turn by hand, everything worked again. Thanks you all for this great forum !

 

And kudos to you for actually using the search function. Glad this worked out for you.

 

That doesn't work because the collar is locked just as if the shifter were there.

EDIT: unless it is disconnected from the shifter mechanism of course.

 

Exactly.

- Eric

 

Did I mention I love this forum!?! Cause I do.

 

I drive a 1985 Olds & been having this same issue now for several years. Sometimes the key will come & sometimes it won't. Today it absolutely refused to come out until I read your post on adjusting the steering column and it worked like a 'charm'. Thank you, Joe. Much obliged.