My key in dash 👍

Hmm ok, I don’t know about that ignition switch then but I’ve taken my older style lock apart previously as it jammed as you describe. Just check fuse 18 again. New fuse perhaps?

Is this a known issue?

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic53142.html

What position is your gear shifter in? Can you hear the solenoid clicking when you press the brake pedal?

If the cable between the shifter and the ignition has a problem/seized then the key wont turn...

I can drive the car as normal so I can move the gear lever in any position you would normally. I just can’t turn the key anti-clockwise to switch off. It’s seized in position II, nothing else is wrong.

Right... For the key to turn in the ignition, first the ignition needs to know the car is in Park...

So, if the cable has seized between the drive position of the shifter and the ignition barrel then it won't allow you to turn the ignition off (as the car will simply roll off down a hill if the P is not engaged)

Secondary, there is a switch/solenoid connected to the brake lights, this is why you need to depress the brake pedal to select gears from P...

Is there a cable between the ignition barrel on the dashboard, just left of the steering wheel, and the gear shifter?

I forgot to mention that the key barrel appears to be seized in position II BUT I can pull the key out of the ignition. I was able to drive around with the engine on and key out.
I drove home and with the key out of the ignition, and being unable to shut the engine off, I went in to fetch the second key to see if it would turn in the ignition, but it didn’t work either.
I had to pull some fuses and disconnect the battery in the end to shut off the car.

Worth a try spraying wd40 into the key barrel. I know people say you shouldn’t but I’ve always done it and never had any problems.

Certainly, on the early cars, there is a cable that activates when the gear selector is moved from Park.

https://tinyurl.com/3v6p6b2j

From looking at the microcat diagram, the switch 'appears' to be the same switch on the interior facelift models (March 2006 onwards?):



In the attached DropBox file, diagram 9 states "Release the gearshift interlock cable."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ou8dfdfzoqiamh2/...8.pdf?dl=0

I had to take my ignition switch apart when I first had the car but, when out and on the bench (kitchen table!) the key will only fully turn to remove it if you simulate the gearshift interlock cable pressing onto the ignition switch ** this is important as you may think it is completely broken **

I also find that some of the diagrams in the workshop manual were perhaps written when the components were out of the car and not in situ so it may sound easy but, in reality, it may not be.

Hope this helps?

regards

John

Hi John, thanks. This is very helpful.

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

Right... For the key to turn in the ignition, first the ignition needs to know the car is in Park...

So, if the cable has seized between the drive position of the shifter and the ignition barrel then it won't allow you to turn the ignition off (as the car will simply roll off down a hill if the P is not engaged)

Secondary, there is a switch/solenoid connected to the brake lights, this is why you need to depress the brake pedal to select gears from P...

Has anyone tried this fix?