Cannot get the key out of the ignition

DIESELPOWEREDFOX

MEMBER
1997 FORD RANGER
2.4L
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
195,000 MILES

Okay, please readers, keep in mind that I have yet to bring or afford to, my truck in for diagnosis.

So I cannot seem to take my key out of the ignition really. Unsure how to word that, so it causes my shifter not to go all the way into park. Afraid if I take out the key it might slip out of gear. Not sure if maybe it is a transmission issue or if the steering column is loose but, I do not feel any free wiggle room, but then again being an old vehicle. I could see there being something loose, but on the contrary.
This would be easier to explain if someone asked questions on it. It is terribly hard to explain when your car vocabulary is not as extensive as it should be.

I would love to get some feedback. Thanks!

2 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,464 POSTS

The shifter not going fully into park means the release for the key will not trigger and the key will not come out. That is to prevent you from locking the steering if you turned the key off while driving as you could not put the transmission into park.

What you need to determine is if it is in the steering column or in the shift linkage. Bent/loose linkage could cause it because the transmission may go into park but not allow enough travel that the lever actually gets to the park position.

Or it could be a broken part in the column. As you can see in the parts breakdown there are numerous parts in the steering lock/key lock system.
Tracking down which part is a hands on job. Not really something that you can look at a picture and say - "it's that part".

It may be easier and cheaper to replace the column instead of tearing the existing one apart. But that would require a hands on check first.

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