Key stuck in ignition 2001 passat

key wont come out or turn to off until gear selector is in park [ recognize that its in park ] your selector or transmission selector cable is damaged

Hi there,
There is a (silly) safety lock on the ignition to stop it starting in gear, or the key being removed if not in park, and a sensible safety lock on the gear shift to stop kids letting it roll down a hill. Try putting your foot firmly on the brake, press the park release button beside the gear shift, while pulling the shifter out of park and back into park.
Getting the key out: Sometimes the steering wheel is placing pressure on the steering lock and key release mechanism, so try turning the steering wheel in any direction it can go while trying to release the key. It should come only out when you are in park.

It sounds to me that your linkage on the transmission is out of adjustment. If it is as you described, then Neutral should be park. To fix this problem, you need to shift the car all the way into park, (set your parking break. Add wheel chalks if possible.) Locate the shifter linkage on the transmission,(either under the hood, or under the car) loosen the lock screw/s on the linkage. move the linkage on the transmission either direction.(you should feel the clicks of the gears) Park gear, is typically all the way opposite the direction the linkage is inserted. Click the selector all the way until it stops rotating. Then tighten the screw/s. Try your shifter now, you should feel the gears click smoothly into place. Hope this helps.

Ignition - Key Stuck In Ignition Switch/Won't Turn Bulletin No.: 06-02-35-005 Date: February 28, 2006 TECHNICAL Subject: Key Stuck in Ignition, Key Will Not Return to Off Position, Shifter Button Won't Release in Park Position (Adjust Shifter Detent Finger) Models: 2002-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Condition Customers may comment on any of the following conditions: - The key is stuck in the ignition cylinder. - They cannot return the key to the off position to remove the key. - The shifter button won't release in the park position. Cause This condition may be caused by the detent finger shifting over time. This may result in mis-alignment and binding of the shift rod on the shift position guide.
WHERE YOUR SHIFTER IS YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT APART ..MAYBE THE RUBBER BOOT IS IT THE WAY,OR THE SHIFT LOCK SELINOID WHENT BAD

Try and move the gear shifter some and see if that helps with the problem. Check to make sure the shifter is in park all the way.

I had the same problem...you have to depress the silver button on the gear shifter as if you are trying to put it into drive from park. It won't let you actually press it in all the way...but just press it in as far as it will let you and if you listen carefully, it makes a little sound near the key fob and it somehow electronically triggers a switch that if you pull on it after you hear that sound and within 1-2 seconds of pressing the gear-shifter button, it releases the key fob.

2001 MAzda MPV- Key was stuck in ignition. Would not turn all the way back to remove. I pulled the fuse for the Hazards and WHOLA!! Key turned back and could be removed.! Just to test the problem I put the key back in , started up , pulled up and back a few feet, turned the steering wheel and parked. Key was stuck again. I pulled the fuse and again ... WHOLA! key was released. Now what I need to do is fix the problem or I have to pull a fuse every time I stop the car - ANY ADVICE??

the linkage is bound up and your key wont come out until its in park get it to a garage fast

I have worked on several vehicles with this same problem and each one was a relatively simple repair with no parts involved, first off the shift interlock has nothing to do with it and will not prevent your vehicle from going into park, it is designed to work ONLY when coming out of park. The problem your having depends on the type of shifter handle your vehicle has, if the release lever is on the bottom and you have to push up with your fingers to release it, then the problem is...there is a rubber type cover that surrounds the release button, after time it becomes distorted and bunches up preventing the shifter from fully engaging in the park position (even though it appears the vehicle is going into park)if your careful you can work the rubber cover out and your problem is fixed. If your shifter button is on the side and pressed with your thumb the cable needs to be adjusted, this cables only purpose is to prevent key removal except when in park and is easily adjusted, with the center council removed, if you look at the front of the shifter base you will see 2 cables that snap into the shifter frame, the larger one is the gear selector cable, the smaller one runs up to the steering column and operates the mechanism that prevents key removal, where the cable snaps into the shifter frame is where the adjustment is done and is identical to a kick-down cable used on older vehicles with automatic transmissions, right where it snaps into the frame there will be a button you can press down releasing a spring loaded adjustment arm, make sure you first mark the arm for reference then press down the button and adjust it a little either way until it functions properly, hope this helps and good luck   

There is a small sleeve just below the shift knob on the ford focus - it can slide down and trigger a sensor in the gear box that tells the car it is not in park even when it is. Push the sensor back up toward the knob (with the car in park) and the key should release.