The original transfer case in my Disco blew up. I had to take it to a shop to get a new rebuilt Ashcroft transfer case put in. They also replaced the rotary coupler which is causing an SRS short.

Since I got the truck back, I have encountered a sticky ignition switch. That is, it is sometimes hard to pull out the key from the ignition lock. I know there are non-OEM ignition switch replacement options available from the suppliers such as Lucky8 or Atlantic British.

However, I thought I should check first. I am just wondering if the above work could have anything to cause a sticky ignition switch? I don't think so, but I am not familiar with Disco ignition switches. Or it is simply a coincidence and the ignition lock tumbler is just worn out? Any thoughts?

 

I'd say coincidence. My wife's 03 has a terrible ignition tumbler, it's gotten as fragile has egg shells. My 01's ignition is ten times stronger and feels great. Not sure if they just cheapen them up over the years or what?

I'd say as long as you are seeing a "P" in the dialog box below speedo and the shifter is firmly in park...it should be moving freely...unless it's crapping out.

Brian.

 

There has been a few times when the P does not want to lock in. But there are also times when the P locks it, but the key still gets stuck in the ignition switch. I am wondering if there is any correlation?

 

If you're saying the shifter doesn't want to firmly go into park and lock in that position...l'd say check underneath the shifter cover on console for loose change, or check the adjustment of shifter cable and XYZ switch.

My wife's 03 was having issues going into park, pulled about five dollars worth of change out of the shifter area. Once removed, went into park perfectly.

You do your fair share of off-roading, so you may have got a stick or something jammed into the shifter cable below, or water in your XYZ switch.

Do you have two keys, and if so...do they both feel similar in the ignition?

Brian.

 

Good point... both keys will feel sticky at times in the ignition switch.

 

Lightly lube your key & insert it into the lock cylinder. Don't overdue it! That should free up the push in remove part of the lock cylinder.

 

I read in one of the threads to use Tri-Flow lubricant. It worked for a few days and then the stickiness came back again. I will try the lube idea. Thanks!

 

Hi Andrew, Triflow worked great on mine. But it almost sound like park is not quite taking.

Try moving the gearshift lever back and forward when the key sticks it might hit a sweet spot and let you get it out. If that works reliably you have a gearshift problem not a ignition switch issue, not sure which one is worse to fix.

 

You can loosen the 13mm nut that holds the shifter linkage to the XYZ switch, then take maybe 1-2mm of slack out of it & try shifting thru PRND321. Super simple & it takes just seconds to do.

 

Thanks guys! I will certainly give it a shot.