Rep Power: 0

Ok, it sounds wierd I know, but I've had it at my mechanic, my paint shop, and I've played with it for over an hour and the key will NOT come out of the ignition unless you disconnect the battery.

The key will turn a little past "I" (Accessory) position but not all the way to "0" (Lock) to allow me to take the key out. I've tried jiggling the automatic shift lever (in park), turning the wheel, all kinds of positions with the wheel & key, etc...nothing works. If I disconnect the battery the key comes out perfectly easy just as it should. I figure this has to do with the car thinking it's not in park since it is obviously an electrical problem, can anyone shed some light on this? I've been a sitting duck for thieves for the past few days, please help...

 
Rep Power: 0

take it to the dealer...Thats why you have warranty!

 
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That'd be nice....IF my car was under warranty, which it's not. Obviously I could go pay to fix whatever is wrong but I figured I'd see if anyone has the same problem or if one of the mechanics on here knew what to do / check (I know plenty about working on cars but haven't had the time to tear the car apart looking for answers and would be happier to know exactly where to look).

 
Rep Power: 335

i bet you a coin fell down there somewhere and is inhibiting the gear lever from pushing a button of some sorts. i head of this happening a long time ago on this forum.

 
Rep Power: 310

What about in Neutral?

 
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I'll take it apart this weekend to look for a coin or something...but that wouldn't explain the key coming out as normal when the battery is disconnected....that's the part that is wierd to me.

Can't get the key out in neutral either, though I haven't tried with the battery disconnected.

I jiggled and played with the key for about another 1/2 hour...was able to get it to come out ONCE and turn normal between '0' and '1', but as soon as I went to 'II' it was locked in place again....wierd. I'll go to the dealer monday if I can't find it this weekend. Thanks guys....

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok, I took the plastic around the steering wheel apart to get to the key cylinder. I disconnected one of the green connections and the key comes out fine. With the connection apart the car runs (as far as I can tell) just like normal, with the exception of the door chime (the chime that tells you left the key in the ignition.

Can someone please look up the wiring in their manual and tell me if the green connection in the picture below does anything other than the door chime (i.e., anything important)? I hate that thing anyway, if it's just that I'll leave it disconnected... otherwise I'll have to investigate further.

(I have a manual on order but it's not here yet, please don't tell me to go buy a manual.)

THANKS!

 
Rep Power: 310

How many wires are on that connector?

I'm looking at my Helms manual and it lists these connectors within the steering column cover:

Cable reel - 5 pin connector
Driver's Airbag Inflator - 4 pin connector
Ignition key switch/key light - 6 pin connector
Ignition Switch - 7 pin connector
Immobilizer control unit/receiver - 7 pin connector
Wiper/washer switch - 14 pin connector

 
Rep Power: 433

that looks pretty important to me...

 
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Much thanks flotsamm.... I feel better now.

The connector has _6_ pins on it so it looks like that's just the key light and chime; maybe some more but at least now I know it's not the airbag or immobilizer.

I still cannot figure out how running power to the ignition switch could lock the key in the cylinder and how just removing power to the switch can release the key....

 
Rep Power: 0

i dunno.. but i turn my car off a few time when it was in D...my idles sooo low, quiet, and smooth i forgot to shift into Park

 
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*PROBLEM FOUND*

I had to take my car to the dealership today for some other work so I had them check this one while they were at it. They said "the shifter rod is bent, which is allowing the shift button to stick". (My car is a salvage title car - got suspension parts, lightly on front left side- so this isn't a honda problem and thus why my car isn't under warranty). I'll replace it after I get my manual.

Thanks flotsamm....

 
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My car is at the Honda dealership right now with this exact same problem. They said they had never heard of this problem before. Is your car an auto or standard??? My car was also a fixed up wreck, which was sold to me as a good used car from Goodson Honda north on I-45 so screw those guys.

 
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automatic

I deleted the picture I was hosting for this thread, but basically I think it was a green connectior (6 pin)...disconnect that and see if it works. I have been driving my car with this disconnected for about 9 months now with no adverse effects other than the dome light not coming on automatically (when door is open) and door chime gone. That piece is like $150 so it's not worth it to me, the car runs fine without it and I don't know that I believe what the dealer says about it anyway.

 
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Thanks for the reply, mine is an automatic as well...I will post here what ever they tell me the problem is to see if they are on the same page with what your dealer claimed.

 
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BTW: Before I figured out what the problem was I would lock/unlock my doors with the remote and leave the key in the ignition. My Toyotas would always unlock with the key in the ignition, but luckly the civic doesn't care whether you lock your keys in your car or not.

 
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Having same problem on my '03 Civic. Just started out of the blue that I can't get key out, or turn the engine over. If I really work with the gear shift, so far, I've been able to get the key out. Appears that it doesn't know it's in "park". Wondering if it might be the transmission range switch. Any thoughts?

 
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I have the same problem I disconnect the battery the key comes out all though my automatic shifter on the floor can be moved with one little finger and some where I lose power between putting the key in the ignition the car inside lights go out and won't start unless I get a jump then it runs great for a fee days then starts it crap all over again

 
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this does not work. I tries it an still can't get my key out