I've got an interesting problem with my new Element - can't get the key out of the ignition. It's the oddest thing. Sometimes I stop the vehicle, pull up the parking brake, put the gear shift into park (yep, it's an automatic), turn the key to the off position, and then try to remove the key. Most of the time it slides right out and no problem. But every once in a while it won't come out. Once that happens, you fuss with the key, the gear shift, the parking brake, and the steering wheel all you want. It won't come out until you restart the car, put it into gear and actually make the car move. Sometimes you have to repeat this process 5 or 10 times. Maddening.

Anybody heard of this type of problem?

We've taken it back to the dealer. They polished the keys for us, saying that there were some burrs on the key that was causing the problem. You got it. It's still a problem. It seems to be much more of a problem for my wife than myself. I'd think it was just something she's doing wrong but I get it every once in awhile. With her it's probably 50% of the time.

We planning another trip back to the dealer where we purchased the car but I'm not too optimistic. That last trip was to fix the dash rattles. The only one they "fixed" was the one that doesn't exist in our car. (I probably shouldn't get started on this.)

Anyway.. Anyone having problems with their key?

Thanks,

Steve

Sounds like it's a problem with some kind of linkage to/from the transmission that is not telling the E that it's okay to let go of the key.

I don't think polishing the keys will help. :)

Sounds like you'll have to keep taking it back to the dealer. Good luck.

Bill

[quote:1ba2cde7ec=" "]Sounds like it's a problem with some kind of linkage to/from the transmission that is not telling the E that it's okay to let go of the key.[/quote:1ba2cde7ec]

To clarify (I think): some sort of subsytem which allows the key to be removed from the locked position, if and only if the auto-selector is in Park (a safety feature), may be broken.

-brendan

Yeah, I'm thinking something in there is a little out of alignment, loose, or who-knows-what. It a bit of a pain because it doesn't happen all the time, just often enough to be a major hassle (late to work, can't get the key out to lock the car...) Of course the dealer's reluctant to tear things apart when everything seems to be fine for them.

Thanks all. It's back to the dealer.

Steve

I have the same prob in my Green Auto ex 2004. It's actually quite simple; there's a switch or solenoid that prevents the key from being removed when the car is not in "Park". Next time it happens just nudge the shifter into "P". The key comes right out. You can confirm the test by doing the opposite; Start the car and put it in drive, Very gently, put the shifter in"P", taking care to not trigget the key release solenoid. The key is now stuck. Push the shifter firmly into "P" and the key releases.

I'm hesitant to have the dealer take my console apart to fix this...they always scratch something or leave out a bolt, clip, screw, etc.

[quote:5ab4da1e67=" "][quote:5ab4da1e67=" "]Sounds like it's a problem with some kind of linkage to/from the transmission that is not telling the E that it's okay to let go of the key.[/quote:5ab4da1e67]

To clarify (I think): some sort of subsytem which allows the key to be removed from the locked position, if and only if the auto-selector is in Park (a safety feature), may be broken.

-brendan[/quote:5ab4da1e67]

Brendan, thanks for translating for me.

I'm with Dandy - If I could find a way to reliably get the key out, I might not want the dealer taking all that stuff apart.

Bill