Stuck Ignition Key

[Seattle 70 RT]

Help. To remove the ignition key from my 70 Challenger R/T with a 727 and console shifter. I need to twist the collar (I do not know the proper term) in front of the key to remove it. This is a recent occurrence. Is there a permanent fix?

Also, the collar has the hole for the column mounted shifter. Did the factory use the same steering column for all cars? Mine has the factory console with the correct transmission linkage.

 

[pschlosser]

If the key is getting stuck, the tumblers may be getting goopy. applying heat to the key, can also help remove a key. the long term fix is taking it apart, and cleaning up the tumblers so they work well, again.

only the column shift steering column (or that collar part of the same) had the hole for the column shift lever. but, if over the years, your steering column needed maintenance, and the fixer couldn't find the precise correct part, they used what that had or could find. alternatively, if the steering column part is original, then unless your body code plate and/or the build sheet shows it was an original floor shift car, maybe it was converted to a floor shift at some point. This is not an uncommon conversion.

 

[Seattle 70 RT]

If the key is getting stuck, the tumblers may be getting goopy. applying heat to the key, can also help remove a key. the long term fix is taking it apart, and cleaning up the tumblers so they work well, again.

only the column shift steering column (or that collar part of the same) had the hole for the column shift lever. but, if over the years, your steering column needed maintenance, and the fixer couldn't find the precise correct part, they used what that had or could find. alternatively, if the steering column part is original, then unless your body code plate and/or the build sheet shows it was an original floor shift car, maybe it was converted to a floor shift at some point. This is not an uncommon conversion.

Thanks for the quick reply. I probably need to clean the tumblers. The car had some restoration work prior to my purchase in 2008 which could explain the hole in the collar. I want to get a copy of the build sheet from Galen.

 

[pschlosser]

I want to get a copy of the build sheet from Galen.

Good luck with that. I read he's not easy to deal with. Keep us posted.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

In 70 there was a interlock linkage to teh trans so when the trans was shifted into park it rotates to column & allows the ign cylinder to to rotate back so the key can be removed , without the interlock link the column will need to be rotated by hand to release the key .
Column shifted cars use a different column

 

[EW1BH27]

The red arrow shows the 1970 only interlock linkage setup that Chryco Psycho mentioned.

 

[Chally]

Also IIRC regarding the interlock, there are two small slots/notches on the underside of the housing and collar that need to be aligned to remove the key. The collar can be rotated to the right position.

 

[Challenger RTA]

All the info above is good. Did it always work correct before or was it problematic?

 

[Katfish]

Yep, all that linkage was removed on my car when I bought it. Last time the column was out, I decided to cut off that lever, to make it look cleaner.
Apparently the weight of that was enough keep the mechanism in the right position to remove key. So I now sometimes have to reach down and rotate the collar to remove the key. Happens rarely, and luckily it can be done from inside the car.

 

[Challenger RTA]

OK got it. So you just have to fasten the tube somehow. Maybe under the hood drill a small hole through both and bolt. Just a thought. Might look better then duct tape. I'm guilty of that and tie wire.