dookietwo

Hi, last night I went home after doing whatever and basically my key is stuck. I think it might be because the car isn't in the PARK position. It's an automatic and the lever slides easily into reverse. If I can remember correctly...its not suppose to do that? How can I retrieve my key?

mikey1

you can not take the key out if its not in park, thats a safety precaution.....for good reason

ezone

Shift lever in park AND the thumb button must fully release....that means all of the mechanisms under the center console need to work.
If you don't have to push the thumb button to move the shifter out of park, that's why the key won't release.
There are microswitches attached to the linkage that must be tripped before the key can be released.

ezone

I wonder if you can disconnect the battery and then get the key?

Biscuit

If you have a spare key you can remove the small plastic square located to the upper left of the shifter and insert the spare key into that hole to shift the car into park.
You can also force the steering wheel in opposite directions while working the key and see if that frees the key.

Nathan

Gunner

LOL.. put it in park, wiggle the shifter a bit and give it a good whack on the top..see if it disengages the release handle and get your key.. (Sometimes you gotta remind your car who owns it). Just another option..

johndeerebones

This is the answer. Only thing is you don't have to have a key, just pry the little square cover on the shifter up and push down with a small object. Then put the shifter in park like normal and then your key will come back to where it will come out.

dookietwo

I don't know what happened but when I woke up the next morning I didn't have any trouble removing the key; it came right out... Thanks for the replies I really appreciate it. It was late at night and I was very upset at the time.

Anyways,

I replaced my timing belt and the other belts today. When I start it I can hear squealing. I would like to know if there is an easier way to tighten the belts because that damn mickey mouse looking screw is a pain to turn. Also, I didn't do such a good job and I had several small bolts left over. Obviously, the bolts are there for a reason but if I'm missing a few small tens how bad or dangerous can that be?

ezone

Alternator belt is too loose.
I use a prybar from underneath, I don't really use the adjuster screw at all if I can avoid it.

Also, we always replace belts with a timing belt job, so we don't normally do accessory belts at any other time on regular customers' cars.

Make certain your alt bolts are tight so you don't burn up the PCM.

You are on your own there. There shouldn't be extras unless the lower cover broke out that one hole that is set real deep.