Remove ignition key while in gear (1 Viewer)

[Gray Rider]

I had a dealer repair my ignition switch ( a few years ago). The result of the repair was that the ignition key can be removed prior to placing the gear shift in park.

I had always intended to take the vehicle back in and get the dealer to correct the mistake, but I did not do it.

Anyone ever experience this? It might be a one of a kind happening....

 

[Gray Rider]

I suspected it was one of my patented anomalies!

 

[jLB]

Our 99 LX has been that way since we bought it. It hasn’t bothered me enough to be a priority over the other things that have needed to be fixed on that vehicle.

 

[Gray Rider]

Good to know, jLB!

 

[Eyedaho]

I had a dealer repair my ignition switch ( a few years ago). The result of the repair was that the ignition key can be removed prior to placing the gear shift in park.

I had always intended to take the vehicle back in and get the dealer to correct the mistake, but I did not do it.

Anyone ever experience this? It might be a one of a kind happening....

I would check the threads about replacing broken lock cylinders. There is information in them regarding this issue.

 

[Gray Rider]

Kind of a downer point if I sell it tho....By the way, remember to tell you high school teenager new driver to always set it in Park!

 

[Eyedaho]

I would check the threads about replacing broken lock cylinders. There is information in them regarding this issue.

Or maybe there's an issue with the park/neutral safety switch?

 

[Gray Rider]

10-4 Eye. I'm sure it can be fixed.
I will take it back to a dealer and say "you guys did this". and then re-
buttle to "the heck you say"

 

[jLB]

By the way, remember to tell you high school teenager new driver to always set it in Park!

Or teach them to pull the handbrake

 

[Gray Rider]

Well, there is that! But we got to keep it teen-proof!!!

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

I had a CRV that would do this, honestly I loved it. Forgot something in the house? Dont have to turn the truck off to use the house key. Driving down the road and forgot someting in the locked glove box? Just pull the key out and unlock it. Many a time my dog got locked in the car running with the AC on while I ran in somewhere to get something lol

 

[Gray Rider]

But we gotta err on the side of safety, Scoty!

 

[Weedhopper]

I had a CRV that would do this, honestly I loved it. Forgot something in the house? Dont have to turn the truck off to use the house key. Driving down the road and forgot someting in the locked glove box? Just pull the key out and unlock it. Many a time my dog got locked in the car running with the AC on while I ran in somewhere to get something lol

That was common in the fifties and sixties. I remember a lot of cars did that.

 

[jLB]

Well, there is that! But we got to keep it teen-proof!!!

My (now 23 year old) son tried to prove nothing was teen-proof, either through brilliance, or self absorbed stupidity

Possible solution in this thread:

key removable without shifter in park position.

The other day, I realized that I could remove my ignition key from my 2001 LX470 with the transmission selector in the Drive position. It seems like the key should only be removable with the transmission in park. I heard that this was a somewhat common problem, but I havent found anything...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Gray Rider]

Good find jLB! I will check it out....

 

[odonekanobe]

My older 80's Toyotas did this. It was actually pretty nice when off-road, as they keys weren't clanking.

Not so great when by buddy rolled his pickup though. He was trying to kill the engine and couldn't find the keys.