Hi,

 

I have got the stuck key in ignition problem - it has been getting worse - now it is permentley stuck!

 

I have got the cover underneath the dash off but i am struggling to get the steering column off (see pic!) beacuse the case is fouling on the key!

 

 

I have taken a shot from under neath looking at the ignition system - i am assuming the white block is the bit i am interested in.

 

 

I have read after searching the forum that i need to jam the mechanism - somehow...

 

Anyone know how to get the steering colum cover off better or exactly how i am ment to jam the mechnism to stop it happening again?

 

Cheers

 

Barry

do you have an auto?

yes it is a jap auto - the push button to release the key has failed - probably the sensor on the autobox is not working...

I had this very thing. There is a solinoid that locks the key into place for when you are driving. That has now failed.

You need to remove the solinoid completely.

 

Thats what I did, and Ive had no problems since.

 

Cant exactly remember how I got the solinoid off though. Jeff talked me through it over the phone.

I assume the solenoid is the white block on the silver ignition chamber?

 

Did you just sort of unscrew it and detach it?

 

Was there anything else you had to do to it?

 

Cheers

 

Barry

have you tryed unplugging it first, I had to do this to enable turbo timer run on, so you can remove the key with car running.

 

 

jim.:)

how did you un-plug it? what did you remove?

if you trace two wires back from the ignition (i think mine where orange and brown but carn't remember) there should be a small connector near the black plastic heater duct to the doors (near your feet)

 

unplug it! and this will disable the soloniod.

 

 

jim;)

Well after ages messing around in the dark/cold, i managed to get the steering column casing off enough to get a decent look at the ignition block.

 

I had a quick go at jamming the release solenoid but gave up...

 

I did find a emergency/quick release method for getting the key out.

 

The plastic around the push button release is seperate to the steering column case and will prise out - leaving a small gap above the push button. Look into this hole and you can see a small white plastic block and a piece of metal in the centre - painted red.

 

Use a small screwdriver and push it down or up, depending upon its poistion and this seems to manually release key/free up the push button.

 

So until the weekend when i have more light/time, i will use this method.....

 

I would still be interested in know how people jammed the solenoid as i struggled to trace the wires as there are so many of them and they are all taped up in black....

 

Anyway thought i would document this for future people as i did not come up with much after searching this and TTnet's site...

 

Cheers for the help so far....

 

Barry

I had the same problem, if memory serves me right you've actually found the solution

Use a small screwdriver and push it down or up, depending upon its poistion and this seems to manually release key/free up the push button.

, this is the mechanism you need to jam open with a piece of plastic or the like.

I had a go, watching the piece of metal that can move vertically - it never moved when i turned the key or pressed the button?!?

 

I tried jamming it up and down but did not seem to do anything - but i did not expect it to - as it does not move...

 

Would this mean the solenoid id broken - does it normally move up/down??

 

Cheers

 

Barry

Originally posted by nelsonbd

Hi,

 

I have got the stuck key in ignition problem - it has been getting worse - now it is permentley stuck!

 

 

O well - you'll have to drive it non-stop until you run out of go-go juice :D

Sorry for the delay in replying, only just got back to my desk.

 

I removed the solinoid completely.

 

Cut the wires and taped them up.

 

Has been fine since.

mine did the same. From memory it's easy to see what happens to release the key, so I just wrapped an elastic band round the offending mechanism and it was ok for about a couple of years when the elastic band dried out and gave up the ghost. I then replaces it with a plastic bag tie wire.

 

...very high tech solutions, I'm sure the engineers at Nissan would be proud of me.

 

good luck

 

Jack

The picutre needs to be hosted on the web for that to work Peter, not locally on your machine.

Yeah, whoops. Speedis that I used to use has gone tits-up. Anyway, I'll describe it. Looking from the front, just above the push button release is a small metal lever, this lever should move up/down, up=key release, down=key locked. To disable it flick it to the up position and jam it in place with a piece of plastic between the lever and the white plastic casing. Fixed mine but if this is the same 'piece of metal' that you describe as not moving something else may be jamming it.