Help! Key is stuck!

[OutlawEvans]

Hello! I'm building a 2005 mustang gt for drifting and you can see my build thread in the drifters section if you want. Anyways after putting my car all back together from stripping out the interior I'm having an issue where the key won't turn down to the unlock position. Only time it does is if I disconnect the battery. Also it's manual transmission so there's no "make sure it's in park" or anything like that. What would make an ignition clylinder not turn all the way? I'm clueless

-also the wheel isn't locked to one side either. The front of the car is still on jackstands

 

[07 Boss]

What do you mean turn down into the "unlock" position?
There is the off, accessory, on, and start positions for the key. All of them you turn the key forward from the off or locked position. There is no accessory position when you turn the key back from the off position like in old cars.

 

[OutlawEvans]

What do you mean turn down into the "unlock" position?
There is the off, accessory, on, and start positions for the key. All of them you turn the key forward from the off or locked position. There is no accessory position when you turn the key back from the off position like in old cars.

It wont go all the way back towards me to the off position where the key releases

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

Are you certain that your wheel isn't locked up ? That's the only reason I can think of that would prevent your key from turning..

 

[07 Boss]

I would think it is something mechanical. Bad ignition cylinder or like T-Red said, might be the steering wheel lock out of place and preventing the key from turning.

 

[redfirepearlgt]

For fun locate Fuse F68 in the BEC and see if it is there. If it is pull it and see if the problem goes away. If it does we can continue on to find the source of the problem if you wish.

Any chance the car was an auto and has undergone a manual tranny swap in? Just helps to know the answer rather than assume.

 

[Sylver]

This is happening to me too! How did you end up fixing yours? Shop I took it too wants 1200 to replace entire shifter assembly and ChatGPT is telling me it’s either the ignition actuator assembly or shift interlock solenoid. Thanks!

 

[Kev555]

I am assuming its not an auto? or a conversion to manual?

 

[07 Boss]

Well if it's the shift solenoid, which isn't all too uncommon, you have to replace the whole shifter. Probably $700-$800 new from a dealer. Maybe $120 used on fleabay. Took me a couple of hours to swap mine, don't know what the book labor is.

 

[JC SSP]

I did a swap on my 06' GT converttaible with a Dorman unit. The OEM shifter was missing the gate cover and the t-handle looked like it had been gnawed by a small dog? LOL



Rockauto has them for $160.00

More Information for DORMAN 926298

 

[Kev555]

I did a swap on my 06' GT converttaible with a Dorman unit. The OEM shifter was missing the gate cover and the t-handle looked like it had been gnawed by a small dog? LOL

View attachment 113524

Rockauto has them for $160.00

More Information for DORMAN 926298

Bought one of these Dorman versions from Rock auto too as mine felt worn and the plastic blind cover was broke as well. Good improvement on the old unit.

 

[Autokyrios]

If the range sensor isn't hooked up or is damaged, it won't release the key. It has to know it's in park or neutral. Disconnecting the battery kills the logic. That would be my first thought. You can try moving the shifter out and into D or N a couple times and see if it lets go (not a solution, just a test).