Before I take my truck in for service, please arm me with information on possible CAUSES of this problem and potential remedies…
2000 Dodge Ram
Key will not release from ignition unless you pull up and in on the gear shift and push in the brake… and then you still have to fuss with it…
Thanks !!
First thought is the ignition lock cylinder is going south. Possible problem with lock linkage in steering column. Usually this kind of problem is not related to the brake at all, but that suggests the possibility of a problem with the shift interlock.
If your having to fiddle and mess with the gear shift then the linkage behind the lock cylinder is most likely the culprit.
The only thing I can think of that could be happening is
a) the linkage is not returning when the gear shift is in park and not allowing the lock cylinder to return.
Once you get the cylinder turned and can extract the key can you then move the key in and out without trouble?
Does this problem happen with all the keys or just one key… you do have more than one key right?
b) The Ign cylinder has a notorious problem with the end cap on the inside end of the cylinder. If this little piece fractures… it could be guming up the works. Not very likely but could be a remote possibility.
Osip
Will try the graphite first…
The second key does the same thing, but not quiet as bad…
just wondering… my son took the truck camping, the mess it was in upon its’ return , led me to believe they were doing some serious hill climbing over very rough roads…
Could this have knocked something loose?
This is not a four wheel drive vehicle…
Thanks, you guys are great…
I’d carefully check the exposed transmission shift linkage under the vehicle for any sign of something bent, cracked, etc. It’s conceivable that if the external shift linkage were damaged, it would be difficult to fully engage the “Park” slot in the shift column, even though it would engage “Park” OK in the tranny. And if the shift lever at the column can’t get all the way to its home slot, the steering wheel lock linkage won’t go all the way to its normal lock position, and neither will the lock cylinder. If this symptom occurred suddenly and during the trip you described, that’s what I’d suspect.
OH LORD, I was afraid of that…
Was hoping for something simple, but with my luck you probably hit the mail on the head…
Actually, repairing that might cost less than repairing a problem inside the steering column. It just depends on precisely what is bent or broken.
obviously… as per screen name, I know nuthin bout nuthin
especially vehicles
Thanks for your help
I’d also check the manual to see if it’s not some weird ignition lock setup.
Just piping in with the standard warning of not having too much crap on your key ring, which can cause eventual problems with the interlock, but I’m going with Gary T on this one. Heck, crawl under, maybe there’s a racoon skull or giant sequoia shoved deep into a linkage. Best to take a peek first.
I know all about the dangers of too much stuff on the keyring,
my daughter had everything but the kitchen sink on hers and the problems it caused… wasn’t a “happy situation”
Mine only has one key and the remote…
I had the same problem described in the OP with my Discovery. I had a mechanic disable the shift interlock. Once I can wrangle my other car away from my mother in law (grrrr), my baby’s going in the shop.