Give me my key back!

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:14 pm

I have been having a problem with the Liberty not wanting me to take the key out of the ignition. It has been happening since December. It happens maybe 75% of the time and seems to have something to do with the door being open. I can turn off the motor but it doesn't return enough to let the key go. If I turn it to accessory and open the door the key will usually come free...usually. It may be the Jeep telling me, "Please, don't leave me here!"

Any suggestions as to what the problem could be? I took it to the dealer and it wouldn't do it for me then...figures. Thanks in advance for any input.

jeepers · **Posted:** Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:46 pm

maybe its not going in to park all the way and isn't alowing you to remove the key.

nickmv · **Posted:** Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:42 pm

I'm having the same problem occasionally.....I'd like to know what it is too

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:51 pm

Idk if there is a problem, but try pushing "in" on the key when it does it. People in my family have always had a hard time getting the keys out of our jeeps.

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 3:45 pm

I have tried everything possible and the door opening and closing is the only patter I can determine. I owned it for nine months before it started doing this and didn't ever have a problem before.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:12 pm

jeepers wrote:

maybe its not going in to park all the way and isn't alowing you to remove the key.

I tend to agree with jeepers. If you stil have warranty coverage you might consider taking it in to a dealer and getting the tranny/shifter assembly checked out. May be an internal problem with the interlock mechanism.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:04 pm

It couls also 'possibly' be a tumbler that isn't fully retracting which would be easiest to fix. Spray some WD-40 on the key and work it in and out a few times. Periodically wipe off the key with a clean rag or something while u r doing this to remove any cr@p that gets stuck in the lube. Don't use any kind of oil like 3-in-1 or something which can gum up the works.

dpsaidel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:37 pm

I recently purchased a 2004 KJ Limited with 21K miles on it, and am having the same problem with getting the key out of the ignition. I have definitely isolated it to the gear shift lever not being in the correct postion. If I move it out of Park and back in gently the key releases. Since it is intermittent I haven't gone to the dealer with it. Has anyone had this fixed? Is it something the owner can do?

David

nickmv · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:14 pm

dpsaidel, I isolated the same problem this past weekend. If the key doesn't wanna return to me, I simply press in the gear shift button a few times...it seems it's not catching occasionally, therefore the car doesn't think it's in a gear and so it wont give back the key....I'll be taking mine in under warranty for this one...and for my squealing brakes....AND for my messed up CD player that skips for no reason...

2WDRENNE · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:58 pm

I have not had it happen to my Jeep yet but I had a 98 Dodge Avenger that had the same problem. the dealer had told me to take the shifter from park and go all the way to 1st gear and back not stopping. it has somthing to do with resting the key position switch. Hope this helps

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:14 pm

2WDRENNE is now my hero. I think that trick actually worked. Thanks a bunch

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:33 pm

this problem from what i here is common on most chrystler/jeep autos
i know that the TJ has an adjustment on the linkage for the shifter wich adjust the position of the gear selector inrelation to park and the position at wich it releases the key kinda
i fixed my TJ a few years a go but the KJ has never acted up so i hav never looked to see how to do it but i know that it can be done

JDaPP · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:05 am

Posted in the CRD section, but thought I would add it here too. My key keeps getting stuck. I have done the jiggling, the moving, etc which has worked but it is becoming less effective. Does anyone know of a way to disable the interlock or the part numbers for the metal rod and spring in the shifter so I can replace them out? Thanks

Billwill · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:05 am

Try here:http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f196/key-stuck-ignition-fix-35927/

I drive a manual so do not have this problem

Give me my key back!

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