keys stuck in ignition...tranny will not stay in gear

WhitenerZX4 · 11-07-2009, 12:19 AM

I have a 2006 Focus ZX4..Automatic tranny...the keys are stuck in the ignition. And the gear shifter will not lock into park to release the keys. I took the center console out today and found out its the little white piece that is getting stuck and causing the whole problem. I can put the key in the ignition and turn it over to the ACC. position and press the brake pedal and as soon as a press the button in thats on the shifter if has a chime that starts when the doors are open letting you know the car is not in park...the only way i can get my keys out is to disconnect the negative battery cable..or get a screw driver and pop the piece back up that is located below the shifter. If you that the console out and look at the whole mechanism ans start pressing the button in you will see what piece i'm taliking about. I know there are others out here that have the same problem as i'm experiencing right now...does anyone have a good fix to this problem???thanks

chiefhighliner · 11-07-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhitenerZX4

I have a 2006 Focus ZX4..Automatic tranny...the keys are stuck in the ignition. And the gear shifter will not lock into park to release the keys...

Wow, in having 23 cars in my lifetime in 30 years, I've never heard of a transmission (auto) not letting you shift into park. Are you pressing the gear selector release button (on the shifter) all the way in as you shift into park? There just seems to be no way that it would not let you shift into park if you are holding the button all the way in. Try pressing the brake pedal as you do this, it should release the keys once you are in park. If this doesn't work, I would have it serviced immediately, this could present serious problems.

2wheeladict · 11-07-2009, 01:47 AM

really? my focus did it and i posted about it. the problem was the sleeve at the base of the shifter slid down and wouldnt let it go fully into the park detent. so it wouldnt let my keys out. after taking the console apart i slid it up and it went right into park and let my keys out

Feral · 11-07-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefhighliner

Wow, in having 23 cars in my lifetime in 30 years, I've never heard of a transmission (auto) not letting you shift into park. Are you pressing the gear selector release button (on the shifter) all the way in as you shift into park? There just seems to be no way that it would not let you shift into park if you are holding the button all the way in. Try pressing the brake pedal as you do this, it should release the keys once you are in park. If this doesn't work, I would have it serviced immediately, this could present serious problems.

its actually somewhat common on focus's

the Tab (Image below marked #2) is the culprit if it sticks in the in position it will not release the solenoid that lets the key turn to the full off position.. thats another safety feature that is used to tell you that your car is not safe to be left alone and needs attention that it could 1 be shifted out of park and 2 can pop out of park by itself

while the console is out go buy a can of contact cleaner from an auto store/electronics store that contains non conductive silicone lubricants and spray it in the cracks of the white tab then use a needle nose to free it.. the cleaner will break down the substance causing it to stick and the silicone will lub it and prevent more crap from building.. I did this once to my blue focus that would do it 3 out of 7 starts and never had a problem after that

spray it in the cracks around the white tab labeled #2
(Image is a closeup of a 2000-2004 version shifter yours may be different but uses the same methods)

***whynotthinkwhynot*** · 11-07-2009, 08:54 AM

Thanks Feral for the explanation.

So I'm guessing that the Focus shifter won't let you remove the keys if the trans is in N. There is also a manual release function, but I think that is for putting the trans in gear, not for taking the keys out. Check your owner's manual, it might work both ways. Basically there is a cover over a key hole in the console, you use a key or a skinny flat head screwdriver to push down on a release button.

Feral · 11-07-2009, 10:09 AM

err upon re-reading it I think its part labeled #1 is stuck and not letting #2 out this stuff will also work on that to free it up aswell..

as for the key down the emergency release, thats the thing his tab is being held into place which won;t disengage the solenoid

as a temporary and I mean it as a "temporary" you can disconnect the shifters electronic plug when you park it but thats what I call a LAST DITCH ATTEMPT. it will let the key out but its still has the hazard of popping out of park

WhitenerZX4 · 11-12-2009, 10:58 AM

ok I went and got me some contact cleaner and sprayed the heck out of the thing and the problem still remains to be there. Any other ideas? Thanks for the help guys

2wheeladict · 11-12-2009, 01:53 PM

did you look at the sleeve i talked about at the base of the shift knob?

WhitenerZX4 · 11-12-2009, 04:12 PM

I can get the shifter into park...the sleeve has nothing to do with it. its the two white tabs labeled 1 and 2 that i'm having my problem with. I can drive the car around town but when i put it in park..I place the car in park and turn the ignition to the off position but it will not release the keys and with the engine off i can still place the car in any gear selected. When i push the button in on the gear shifter..it is stuck and will not slide back up to its normal position unless i stick my finger in and force it up myself. I have tried the contact cleaner and have no luck. Thanks

11-07-2009, 01:47 AM	#3
2wheeladict Focus Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2009 FF Member#: 69029 Location: winterhaven, fl What I Drive: 2005 focus zx4 ses Posts: 528 FF Reputation: 4 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	really? my focus did it and i posted about it. the problem was the sleeve at the base of the shifter slid down and wouldnt let it go fully into the park detent. so it wouldnt let my keys out. after taking the console apart i slid it up and it went right into park and let my keys out __________________ sedan revolution member #44 4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the SOUL

11-07-2009, 08:54 AM	#5
*whynotthinkwhynot* Captain TMI Join Date: Jan 2005 FF Member#: 18416 Location: Memphis TN, USA What I Drive: 05 ZXW; 2002 Land Yacht (Windstar) Posts: 8,113 FF Reputation: 187 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	Thanks Feral for the explanation. So I'm guessing that the Focus shifter won't let you remove the keys if the trans is in N. There is also a manual release function, but I think that is for putting the trans in gear, not for taking the keys out. Check your owner's manual, it might work both ways. Basically there is a cover over a key hole in the console, you use a key or a skinny flat head screwdriver to push down on a release button. __________________ ---The Complete How-To Archive-- Moderating Tech Chat and Duratec Chat, let me know if I can help.

11-12-2009, 01:53 PM	#8
2wheeladict Focus Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2009 FF Member#: 69029 Location: winterhaven, fl What I Drive: 2005 focus zx4 ses Posts: 528 FF Reputation: 4 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	did you look at the sleeve i talked about at the base of the shift knob? __________________ sedan revolution member #44 4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the SOUL

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11-07-2009, 12:19 AM	#1
WhitenerZX4 Focus Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 FF Member#: 55077 Location: Sharpsburg, Georgia What I Drive: 2006 Blue ZX4 Posts: 13 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	keys stuck in ignition...tranny will not stay in gear I have a 2006 Focus ZX4..Automatic tranny...the keys are stuck in the ignition. And the gear shifter will not lock into park to release the keys. I took the center console out today and found out its the little white piece that is getting stuck and causing the whole problem. I can put the key in the ignition and turn it over to the ACC. position and press the brake pedal and as soon as a press the button in thats on the shifter if has a chime that starts when the doors are open letting you know the car is not in park...the only way i can get my keys out is to disconnect the negative battery cable..or get a screw driver and pop the piece back up that is located below the shifter. If you that the console out and look at the whole mechanism ans start pressing the button in you will see what piece i'm taliking about. I know there are others out here that have the same problem as i'm experiencing right now...does anyone have a good fix to this problem???thanks

11-12-2009, 10:58 AM	#7
WhitenerZX4 Focus Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 FF Member#: 55077 Location: Sharpsburg, Georgia What I Drive: 2006 Blue ZX4 Posts: 13 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	ok I went and got me some contact cleaner and sprayed the heck out of the thing and the problem still remains to be there. Any other ideas? Thanks for the help guys

11-12-2009, 04:12 PM	#9
WhitenerZX4 Focus Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 FF Member#: 55077 Location: Sharpsburg, Georgia What I Drive: 2006 Blue ZX4 Posts: 13 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	I can get the shifter into park...the sleeve has nothing to do with it. its the two white tabs labeled 1 and 2 that i'm having my problem with. I can drive the car around town but when i put it in park..I place the car in park and turn the ignition to the off position but it will not release the keys and with the engine off i can still place the car in any gear selected. When i push the button in on the gear shifter..it is stuck and will not slide back up to its normal position unless i stick my finger in and force it up myself. I have tried the contact cleaner and have no luck. Thanks