Indevalley

2001 Tacoma...

for no apparent reason yesterday when i went to remove my key, it stopped at ACC and i could not get the key out.

I did research online and read somewhere to try to detach the negative cable from the battery.... and what do you know, the key came out.

I tried using a little WD-40... i tried using my original spare key.... i tried fiddling with the steering wheel... i tired moving around the automatic stick shift in and out of park to see if something was sticking, but once i put the key in and started the car, when i stopped the key still just stuck on ACC...

i went to the dealer and they want $150 just to look at the car... i'd hate to do that if there was an obvious simple fix... especially after when i walked in and said 'my key is sticking on ACC out of the clear blue and i can't get the key out' his response was (i kid you not) 'sometimes you just have to pull on the key to get it out'. Brilliant.

I read a few suggestions on what the problem was and how to fix it but though i'd post a message here. And i'm getting tired of popping the hood everytime i stop somewhere to disconnect my battery to get my key out.

Hope someone can give me some ideas.

;-)

Jeff

HAVOC

I see this problem at work (Lexus) alot. The LX470's and RX300's do this. The only way I found to fix them is to put a new ignition cylinder in them.

okie81

Try grinding a new key from your VIN, it's cheap and it may solve your problem.

Indevalley

I don;t think it's a key issue... I still have the original key that i have only used a few times as a back up.... and the original key didnt work... besides, why would a damaged key be able to get released from the ignition only when i detach the battery? Sounds like something having to do with a sensor that thinks the car is not in park... If there is such a sensor, is it in the ignition cylinder? Obviously i'm not a car expert

;-)

Jeff

Midget96

Mine did the same thing. Problem is the rivets that hold the shift linkage together develop play over time which prevents the shifter from engaging the key release sensor when you put it in park.

You have to remove the center console/trim around the shifter. When you do that, you'll see a long 14mm bolt that runs from the drivers side under the shifter assembly through a metal tube. This is the shift stabilizer.

The fix is easy. Just insert a fairly thick washer in between the bracket on the body and the metal tube that the bolt runs through. You'll find that when you do this and place the shifter in park, the small pin on the shifter engages the hook inside the white box under the shifter closer to the passenger side.

Might sound complex but once you get the console trim off and see how everything works, it'll be extremely obvious. Easy fix and takes 10 min.

Don't even bother with an ignition cylinder. This is where the problem stems from 100%.

JackTorrence

I had the same problem, I had new keys made and it didn't fix the problem I had to have a new ignition cylinder put in by the stealer. They charged $200 for it.

NewWorldYota

This just worked on my 2nd gen 4runner
winning.

Alaskaflyer

is it just the key sticking in ACC, or are you having random starting issues. I was have both at the same time, once I changed the brushes in the starter both problems went away.