Long story short ... similar problem, over a year old, been to shop ... yada, yada ... 1999 D2

now, shop could not fix my problem and next step to "maybe" fixing it was to replace the transmission, but no promises.

Generally, the problem is the truck will not allow the key to be removed from the ignition. I know this will happen if the Park, Reverse, Drive and 3 selections do not illuminate on either the dash panel (odometer area) and the lights do not show on the selector panel alongside the shift selector. If those indications are gone, the problem is "working." For over a year this has been intermittent with no consistent set of steps to duplicate. Sometimes it just happens at start up and goes away with a short warm up and drive. Sometimes it happens while driving and it has been "good". Sometimes it happens and stays that way for days.

When it does, the way to get the key out is to disconnect the battery. The key can be removed. Also, once disconnected and re-connected I can start the vehicle. It may or may not allow reverse. By the way, Park, Drive and 3 - tho not illuminated, they do engage (reverse is only gear that goes out). Also, the only way to start the vehicle is to manually lock and then unlock the vehicle using the key in the driver side door. This resets the anti-theft system. Even if I have only stopped the vehicle for a couple of minutes and not left it, before starting I must exit, lock, then unlock from the door before starting.

So, my suggestion is this: (I am assuming, tho it won't start that you have power indications - lights, alarms, etc.)

1. Disconnect the battery and see if that releases the key.
2. (if yes) Re-connect the battery, try to start vehicle.
3. (if no) May have to re-do step 1 ... then, lock vehicle (remote if you have it, manual if not [I do not have remote so have not tested one]), unlock and attempt to start.
4. If starts, do you have all indications for transmission selections on dash (near odometer) and on the select level indicator panel near lever?
5. If this appears to fix problem and it reoccurs, check the indicators for trans position ... do they all indicate / light up?

 

Update: Got in the truck today for another try. Key came out, started right up like normal... All I did was wiggle it a little bit (which I had done MANY times before)

Now I'm scared to go somewhere in it because what if it makes me stranded somewhere??

 

was the wheel lock activated when the key was stuck?

 

No, it would move freely. The key never made it back far enough to that position. I went out and cranked it, turned it off and took the key out and it worked fine again.

 

Is this a original key or a copy?

 

Humm I went out and checked mine and I can take my key out no matter what gear I am in.

 

Original key with remote on it. I tried the spare and it works fine now as well.

 

operator error hahahahhahahahaha

 

Other than what Joe said...I am wondering if one side of the key is worn more than the other and when you use that side then you have problems.
Double sided keys are both a blessing and a curse.
Only one side is used at a time in both the door lock and the ignition so one side can wear faster than the other.
When you use the key in the ignition does your OCD kick in and you have to have the remote facing a certain way?
I used to do this with my Sprinter van, it has a key that folds inside of the fob and I used to always have the buttons facing towards me when the key was in the ignition.

 

Ok, I KNEW operator error would come out eventually with me being a lady and all... Trust me, I know how to work a key.

I do have the key facing the same way all the time. with the buttons pointing up before I start it. I just used the spare, ran errands making several stops and it worked fine.

When I was leaving the bank, I cranked it up but it went into "limp mode" with the M & S flashing as well as the D on the indicator. I drove until the next parking lot, turned the truck off and turned it back on, it was fine. I know that is a low voltage issue. Maybe my battery is wearing out?