key wont come out!!!

[bulmug]

So yesterday I shut off my car and it won't let me go passed the accessory thing to fully shut it off and take out the key so I've just been leving the key in there and disconnecting the battery. Also its a manual. So any help would be great.

[1996Battlewagon]

The ignition tumbler is the culprit. Be extremely calm and push up very slightly while turning it. Keep at it: it will eventually come out. Replace that once its out if you feel like it.

Mine started doing this three years ago and to this day, no one except for myself can get the key out. I've been called by tire-shop mechanics who have said "it's good to go but um... we can't get the key out."

[harrymaneuvers]

My suggestion:


The easy puller from Las Vegas Tools (or weld a slide hammer to a cheap set of vise grips if you rather)

http://www.lasvegastool.com/images/sites/1/products/3f283267-fc5e-4def-ba80-f8a54a71c97d/additional/ada1c66a-88d3-4985-88f6-8696c60d0512/EasyPullerMain.jpg

[bulmug]

Thanks for the suggestions guys but I have had no success. Also how much would it be to replace the ignition tumbler?

[1996Battlewagon]

I found this for about $140: http://www.thepartsbin.com/repsite/suba ... parts.html (http://www.thepartsbin.com/repsite/subaru~ignition_switch~reparts.html)

[Dead91silvia]

It might be the neutral safety switch on the shifter...

1. It's in park... right...? Had to ask...
2. do you hear a clunk in the shifter when you depress the brake?
3. can you turn the key on to start the car?
4. have turned the wheel a little and jiggled the key?

If you have tried all of these and it still does not come out, it's time for a new ignition...

You can pull the tumbler out with the key however. You just need to get the column covers off and get a pick tool. This way you can pull the bad one out and then start and turn it off with a screw driver. Also you can inspect it to see whats up. The key has to be turned to ACC or ON (cant remember what one) in order to pull the cylinder out.

Maybe I should do a DIY for this...

[iampetro]

It might be the neutral safety switch on the shifter...

1. It's in park... right...? Had to ask...
2. do you hear a clunk in the shifter when you depress the brake?
3. can you turn the key on to start the car?
4. have turned the wheel a little and jiggled the key?

If you have tried all of these and it still does not come out, it's time for a new ignition...

You can pull the tumbler out with the key however. You just need to get the column covers off and get a pick tool. This way you can pull the bad one out and then start and turn it off with a screw driver. Also you can inspect it to see whats up. The key has to be turned to ACC or ON (cant remember what one) in order to pull the cylinder out.

Maybe I should do a DIY for this...
Very unlike you, you missed the part in his first post where he said its manual
Sorry I cant add any assistance other than keep people on the right track :wink:

[Dead91silvia]

Ehh... I'm dyslexic.. :roll:

With that being the case, it might be the steering lock is jammed... I would pull the cylinder out of the ignition.

[bulmug]

i just came across this video and thats whats happening to me so i just think i just need the lock cylinder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykk1R5on6Lo

[bulmug]

well i took the ignition cylinder out to play with it to try to get the key out and still no luck and would any one know where to find the part # for it so i can order it that would be great. also here is what it looks like

http://imageshack.us/a/img600/9236/imag0085igw.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img833/5770/imag0086zcc.jpg

[Dead91silvia]

I bet it just needs new tumblers put in. One might have broke inside, I've seen it happen before.

[bulmug]

will a cylinder from a 96 work in a 98 because i cant find a 98 cylinder by itself but i can find older models for around $30

[Dead91silvia]

Since you have a manual car so thats the main thing.

93-97 Impreza and 95-97 Legacy will work, but it NEEDS to be from a manual car. Trust me, It tried it once, will not work if you try and AT in a MT. The newer years might work, but it's a gamble. I think the interchange is also for the whole bit (housing), but just the cylinder.

If in doubt, use this link.
http://car-part.com/

[bulmug]

so a 95-97 wont work in a 98? well guess im going to have to buy the full ignition assembly.

[Dead91silvia]

so a 95-97 wont work in a 98? well guess im going to have to buy the full ignition assembly.

I missed that it was a 98... I've had a long week. As far as I know, only 98-99 will work and it needs to be a manual.

Have you taken the cylinder to the lock smith? They might be able to fix it. I just realized that mine is getting sloppy so I'm going to have new tumblers installed sometime soon.

[bulmug]

no i will though.if i take it to a locksmith will i be able keep the original key?

[Dead91silvia]

Yeah, that would be the main reason to do that. If they can't fix it, you should be able to get and new cylinder and have that re-keyed. Having 2 different keys sucks...

[bulmug]

well i called a bunch of locksmiths today and every single one of them said they don't do ignition cylinders or didnt know what one was :(

[Dead91silvia]

well i called a bunch of locksmiths today and every single one of them said they don't do ignition cylinders or didnt know what one was :(
Really?! :smt017 Thats crazy!

[bulmug]

yeah they were all traveling locksmiths and i think most of them just didnt want to deal with it (cuz of the holidays) and the nearest actual locksmith shop is 2hrs away so on the 26th im gonna go there and take my cylinder and see what they can do with it.