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Can't turn the key off to lock!

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by B4CDriver, Feb 17, 2013.

  1. B4CDriver

    B4CDriver Junior Member

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    Just bought a former municipal 01 Prius. The key works the ignition, but I cannot get the key to turn back all the way to "lock." Turns to all other positions fine. I did get it to suddenly work a few times, but then same thing. Tried moving the shift lever without any difference. Any suggestions?
     
    #1 B4CDriver, Feb 17, 2013
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Does trying to move the steering wheel help?

    There was a report of an interlock solenoid but it is part of the steering column. I don't have any technical details but it is described in the shop manual.

    GOOD LUCK!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Feb 18, 2013
  3. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Shift it to Park first.
     
    #3 bedrock8x, Feb 18, 2013
  4. B4CDriver

    B4CDriver Junior Member

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    I had tried wiggling the wheel, and the shifter is in park. With it in park I tried moving the shifter a little to see if that would help and it didn't.
     
    #4 B4CDriver, Feb 18, 2013
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Unless someone else posts first, I'll check the shop manual. You might buy a day or two of TIS and see if you can figure it out. Alternatively, the shop manuals are pretty good and I ordered a set when I bought our first Prius, a used 2003 bought in 2005.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #5 bwilson4web, Feb 18, 2013
  6. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Have you try to push key in and turn?
     
    #6 bedrock8x, Feb 18, 2013
  7. B4CDriver

    B4CDriver Junior Member

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    I did push it in, but it still will not turn. The only thing I can think of is something a bit off with the shifter? Possibly does not go far enough into park to turn the key back? The car has 99K and was a city use vehicle.
     
    #7 B4CDriver, Feb 18, 2013
  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Until they decided to sell it.

    Serious, update your profile for your location. Alternatively, call the hybrid training folks and ask for an independent shop in your area.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #8 bwilson4web, Feb 18, 2013
  9. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    One last thing to try is to disconnect the 12V battery.
     
    #9 bedrock8x, Feb 19, 2013
  10. FinsUp99

    FinsUp99 Junior Member

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    Mine does this from time to time. Turns out the shift lever just needed a little bigger nudge upward to get it "more" into park than it was.
     
    #10 FinsUp99, Feb 24, 2013
  11. slimfrancis

    slimfrancis Member

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    i've had this happen with a few gen. 1 cars. little metal pieces inside the cylinder get chewed up and they need to be re-built by an auto-lock person. they usually do this on the spot in about 25 mins. (cost me $40.oo) in the meantime you should be able to get the key out by disconnecting your 12 volt battery and/or you can take the dash panel apart and disconnect the white solenoid wire. however this will allow the shifter arm to move freely and is not s safe way to drive. there is a hole underneath the cylinder where you can press with a screwdriver and pop out the entire cylinder and bring it to an auto lock shop.
     
    #11 slimfrancis, Feb 24, 2013
  12. B4CDriver

    B4CDriver Junior Member

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    Well, found out today it is the lock cylinder. Took the column covers off today, and found disconnecting one of the harness plugs has it working fine for now. Off to the locksmith in a few days. Thanks for the advice!
     
    #12 B4CDriver, Feb 25, 2013
  13. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    You disconnected the lock solenoid and the lock cylinder works fine, that means there is nothing wrong with the lock cylinder. It is caused by likely the shift level position switch is off or bad causing the lock solenoid to be energized.


     
    #13 bedrock8x, Feb 25, 2013
    yotatoter likes this.
  14. B4CDriver

    B4CDriver Junior Member

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    Ahhhhh. I'll check that out. Thanks.
     
    #14 B4CDriver, Feb 25, 2013
  15. slimfrancis

    slimfrancis Member

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    hey. how did you make out with your cylinder?
     
    #15 slimfrancis, Mar 1, 2013
  16. B4CDriver

    B4CDriver Junior Member

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    The lock cylinder is fine now with that plug removed. I found what looks like the position sensor that the lock cylinder gets a reading from, cracked off the column. It never read that it was in park. I'd have to disconnect the battery to keep it from getting drained, and that's when I was able to turn the key all the way off.
     
    #16 B4CDriver, Mar 2, 2013
  17. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    For those of you with funky shifters, the shifter cable is easily adjusted from under the dash...just remove the dash panel below the steering colum for access.
     
    #17 3prongpaul, Mar 2, 2013
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