2000 Jeep Key stuck in ignition please help.

hello i have a 2000 jeep grand cherokee that yesterday the key got stuck in the ignition and i cannot remove it. At the same time i used to have to press the brake to shift from park to any gear now it just moves freely without using the brake.



Any help is appreciated. Thank you

try turning the key to start the jeep then shut off and remove the key. If that doesn't work turn the steering wheel while shutting off to remove the key (if it doesn't work one way try turning the other way).......

Take It To Wal Mart And Let Sand It Down A Little Bit Try That.

Take It To Wal Mart And Let Sand It Down A Little Bit Try That.

the reason you can move in anygear now is that it doesnt go in park right ?! if key can't be removed, try with the palm of your hand, wack it in towards column( like jamming it in farther ) then see if you can turn it out. if you do get it out of if you can 't get it out, turn key to on position, look under steering column for a button looking thing along key cylinder, push that while pulling out whole assembly. bring it to a dealer (or shop) to remove key. making sure to tape around cylinder so tumblers don't come out. if you want a tip on how to make it smoother turning( my guess is it probably binds and won't start also) try turning the page.

You What.. Give This Ashot.. Drive Nornal To Like Canadain Tire Or Some Car Place And Come Out Like Your In A Rush And Then Kindy Walk Up To The Guys That Working There And They Will Come To Check It Out... But I Think Someone Might Put Crazy Gule In There..

The jeep works just fine, It will go into park and it drives fine. The key is stuck in the ignition and and it shifts into gear without having press the brake. I think it may have something to do with the neutral safey switch.

Please only reply if you know what could help, comments like going to walmart or canada are just stupid!

I am looking for help from people who know about cars........

did you try hitting the key in "shocking" it further. I had a couple of those and that's what it took to free it out of the cylinder. on the dodge's and jeeps, the tumblers in the cylinder itself has to be individually deburred and sanded so it moves freely in and out. most dealers and shops suggest changing cylinder or replacing tumblers then grease it up to make it slippery. I have found debrring and sanding it (which takes more time) and then after everything is smooth working, use POWDERED GRAPHITE which can be found at any lock/ key place even wal mart. haven't had any return after that. ooh and for park neutral safety switch, it just enables you to start teh vehicle most of the time. there usuallu is a pushrod that releases when you push brake pedal that allows shifter to move.

Anyone else have any ideas???

Anyone else have any ideas???
Yes, take it to a locksmith, the lock cylinder has failed. Did you have an occasional problem turning the key prior to it becoming stuck in the lock? This is a known issue with the cylinders on the '99 to 2001 Grands.
The replacement cylinders were improved in 2002.

When you say you can shift it freely between gears, is this when the engine is NOT running? If so, this may be a symptom, and not a problem in itself.

If the car is in gear and turned off, the key cannot be removed until the car is shifted into park. There might be a problem with the shift mechanism, and the ignition is holding to the key because it doesn't sense that the car is in "Park".

I recommend wiggling the shifter (be sure it's firmly in 'Park'), then wiggle the steering wheel while trying to remove the key. Sometimes the wheel holds onto the key until it realizes that the car is in "Park".

Otherwise, does the Jeep function properly? Or is it parked while you await a solution?

Please let us know whether or not this helps.

When you say you can shift it freely between gears, is this when the engine is NOT running? If so, this may be a symptom, and not a problem in itself.

If the car is in gear and turned off, the key cannot be removed until the car is shifted into park. There might be a problem with the shift mechanism, and the ignition is holding to the key because it doesn't sense that the car is in "Park".

I recommend wiggling the shifter (be sure it's firmly in 'Park'), then wiggle the steering wheel while trying to remove the key. Sometimes the wheel holds onto the key until it realizes that the car is in "Park".

Otherwise, does the Jeep function properly? Or is it parked while you await a solution?

Please let us know whether or not this helps.

Yes i beleive you are correct. It is something in the shift mechanisn does anyone know what i could check or replace a sensor or ???? Thanks

And yes the jeep works fine it is parked just because i cannot remove the key. Otherewise works like a champ

Ok, Problem solved It was the gear selector button, had a bad spring. Thanks for the help

I had a similar problem being unable to remove the key from my 1999 GC. The button that you hold down on the top rear of the gear shift was jammed by the rubber boot which covers the button. I pulled off the rubber boot and presto the button unjammed and the key was released.:p

Jeep 2000 Grand Cherokee Key release problem
The problem may be the handle used to shift from parking to drive (the drive shifter)
The drive shifter has a release button in the back of the shifter that you press with your fingers when you shift to drive, park, neutral, etc.
when you shift you cannot see the release button because for this model it is on the other side of your hand but you can feel it with your fingers
in the Jeep 2000 Grand Cherokee that release button has a small rubber cover
when that rubber cover slips out of position it jams the release button
You can shift to drive and park but the release button is what allows the key to be free
Make sure that the drive shifter is in park and that the release is not jammed or damaged
I just removed the rubber cover for the release button and I don’t have problems with my key anymore

Falcones

I have a 2002 Jeep Cherokee Key that is stuck in the ignition.

I was an auto body man for 20 years, and can not get the key out when parked.

It started with sometimes the key would come out then one day the key came out so I used 3 in 1 oil in the lock cylinder. I put the key in several times and wiped off the residue. After that time the key is stuck and will not come out? Any help is appreciated.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191760370202/www.ebay.com/ (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/www.ebay.com/)
Read if you have transponder they also provide assistance at at additional cost.

I had the same problem on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Here is what I did; I bought a steering wheel lock and left the key in the ignition. Then finally one day the key came out. Metal is jamming the key in the lock cylinder. It was too expensive to have someone fix the problem, and I tried to get the cylinder out but have not been able to do it yet.

I had the same problem on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Here is what I did; I bought a steering wheel lock and left the key in the ignition. Then finally one day the key came out. Metal is jamming the key in the lock cylinder. It was too expensive to have someone fix the problem, and I tried to get the cylinder out but have not been able to do it yet.

If you can't do the job call a locksmith and get a quote.