Ok, so the key is stuck in the cylinder because you can't twist it back past ACC. You can start the car, but can't get out of ACC. This also causes the battery to die, due to the key either being in ACC, or RUN/Start. Anywho, I went and bought a new ignition tumbler/key. I went to install it, and...........that's not the problem. It acts like there is still something not allowing the key to go back another notch. Almost like a park safety switch or something. I did a search, and some people mentioned some mechanisms further down into the steering column. However, there wasn't any mention of what or how to check those items. I'm confident I messed more stuff up replacing the ignition tumbler, so that's gonna be a PITA fixing, but I really need to figure out what's going on here. Thanks for any pointers.

 

Park lock cable if you have an automatic?

 

Tell me more about this park lock cable, it is an auto. I am attaching a pic of the gear and rod assembly on the side of the steering column. You can see there is one tooth left on the gear, in which it should be able to come another notch or two.

 

I did a search for the park lock cable, gonna go check on it, brb to post updates.

 

Ok, so I was able to check the shift lock cable at the shifter. It does appear to be installed and functioning correctly. I think this pretty much narrows it down to something between the ignition cylinder and the base of the steering column. Thing is, I don't know how to take all that crap apart.

I am thinking a Chilton's is my best bet, I have searched all over the net looking for diagrams for the steering column, to no avail.

 

please let me know what you find out im having the same problem

 

Well ya know if you were really curious as to whats causing your problem take the ignition switch at the base of the steering coulmn out. You see the way it works is the key really all it does is twists and pushes down on one of 2 rods (the other being the high low beam switch) that run down the steering coulm to press on the ignition switch into various positions. If you pull the switch out in theory the key and rod should move freely as its not connected to anything. If it dosnt move freely still youve have a problem in the coulmn eather a bent rod or whatever if it does move freely then ide be tempted to say somehow the ignition switch was hanging it up.