If this just happened, it certainly might be caused by the cold weather. Hopefully, you have a second key so you can lock the door with the key in the ignition and maybe put a cap or something over it to hide it. I would give it a day or two and see if it starts working. Getting in a warm garage might help. Once the key is out, a little lubricant especially for keys is in order... Ron

 

Thanks a lot. It is the first time I meet this problem and it was snowing last night. I moved my car into garage this noon, and the key still won't go out by now.

What's the mechanism of key lock? Springs? Electronics? Or hydro pipes?

 

There are two parts. The upper part (the lock cylinder) is what the key fits into. Once the key fits, it turns the lower, electrical part (ignition switch). If the key doesn't come out of the lock cylinder, there's nothing electrial involved. You might try dripping a few drops of light oil down the key and see if that helps. If you need a new lock cylinder, they can be ordered to match your key (part # 89 60 221), but only from a dealer for around $130.00... Ron

 

If he can't turn to "Lock" position, then isn't there a good chance it's not the cylinder, but the mechanism that locks it when the shifter isn't in reverse?

What's that mechanism look like?

 

Yes, I cannot turn to lock position but somewhere in between off and lock, just like what happens when the gear is not in reverse. Why temperature drop will kill the cylinder or some other parts?

 

On my last 9-3 I had a problem where I could get the key into the ignition but it would not physically turn to start the engine and I had to fiddle around aggressively to get it to finally turn. Then it would be just as hard to get the key to align properly to be removed and it would become stuck similar to what you describe.

I know alot of people are against WD-40 for its short term oiling properties, but I gave the ignition port a good shot of WD-40 once I finally got the key out and then stuck the key back in and turned it back and forth several times and never had the key jam or stick again.

Good luck

 

The key turns pretty freely from "st" to "on" to "off" to some where in between "off" and "lock"; it just cannot get to "lock".
Maybe something linking gear box and ignition lock broke down, like a spring or something, so the ignition lock does not know the gear has already been put in reverse.

 

What you need is graphite. I had a similar problem on my R6 (HOW I miss that thing...), and sometimes I would really panic about having my key stuck in the ignition. It wiggled through everything OK except when I went to lock it. Squirt some graphite into the assembly and run the key through it several times, through lock and off and on. ;ol;

 

It's the third day of my key's trapping in the ignition hole. WD40 bath gave no help. Maybe I have to bring my car to some mechanics next week.

 

this sounds stupid, but have you tried pushing the key into the cylinder more and turning it at the same time? also, you might want to check your shift coupler. I have also seen one of the links pop off and cause some weird issues. it may make it seem like your shifter is in reverse, but it isnt. something to check anyway. You should be able to see it pretty good with a flashlight between the engine and firewall. there is a plastic bushing inside the coupler that likes to break and jam the shifter up.

 

When this happened to my car, I thought that the key was jammed but in fact I had to adjust my shift linkage because the car was not fully engaged in the reverse position. That might be your problem.

 

To keithfoco:
The key's already at bottom I cannot push it more than 1mm lower. It could be shift coupler. Need I crouch down to the bottom of the car?

To canuckpal:
The car can reverse so maybe the linkage is fine; or it could still run backwards even the link is not full?

Thanks to all repliers.

 

If you look at the figure I posted, you will see that the empty hole in front of the lock cylinder is where the shifter goes. And, on the left side of the ignition switch (#15) is some sort of mechanism (#21-#24) that appear to interact with the ignition switch. I've never had a problem with the key, but it looks to me like the cover (#1) needs to come off to see the mechanism. My guess is that the the pin that goes into the hole on the left side of the ignition switch needs to come out to allow the key to rotate counterclockwise (see the notch in part #17)... Ron

 

Quick and easy thing to try - Get the hair dryer !!! Heat up the area around the key to see if some moisture got into the mechanism and froze. Before you try turning the key shake the steering wheel from left to right and then try pulling out the key.

Best of luck.

 

First, thanks to you all. I tried several easy ways but none of them works. Getting into the locking mechanism requires dissemble of seats, panels, shift sticks, which seems beyond my capabilities.

After throwing $$$ into some local garage, the key finally came out. But, bad things, they messed up the shift, and now I cannot shift to 5th gear. Also, the cylinder won't pop up after key removal. I should have done that by myself rather than those guys of no sense of responsibility. Must see them on Monday.

 

Cant Remove Key

Saab 93

I can turn on, turn off, start the car, but cannot turn to 'lock' position and pull out the key.

Ive tried changing gear then back to park but still wont release key

What can I do ??

 

Push the stick back in and turn the key at the same time.

 

someone mentioned to insert graphite in the key slot.

can you elaborate what you mean by graphite?

maybe post a link?

thanks

 

someone mentioned to insert graphite in the key slot.

can you elaborate what you mean by graphite?

What problems are you having?

I tried graphite lube spray with my lock cylinder, and if anything it made things worse.