i have a 97 disco and wont let me turn the key back far enough to remove it from the ignition... any suggestions?

 

while wiggling the steering wheel, squirt a little WD-40 down the key blade. You may have to wait a few minutes. Good luck. Phil

 

if you take the column covers off.... you'll see some harness's that you can unplug near the key.... one of these keeps the key in the ignition.....at least there was on a D2



something has broken on your truck..... unpluging the harness just gets your key back....you need to find out whats wrong....

like a xyz switch, brake switch.....etc

 

What Phil said. Turn the wheel to "unload" the pressure on the steering lock.

 

I also have a 97 Disco. When I bought it, there was only one key which was severely worn down. I twisted it a little too hard and it cracked and deformed slightly to one one side. So do be careful not to try to force it.

If you break the key off it it, a new assembly is roughly $400. I ordered two new key blanks from Rovers North about ten dollars each. I took them to a local hardware store (5th generation owner) that a one of the simple old fashioned key cutting machines. Wes was able to cut new keys from the old one with a little special attention. They work great. Don't bother going to Home Depot or Lowe's their new computer driven machines won't do it. Anf the local Dealership wanted a fortune to get new a replacement key.

Also the advice the others gave you will help, especially cocking the steering wheel. I have also noticed that I have to push "in" slighty with the key as it goes from one position to the next. Handle it with finesse, not brute force so you don't sheer the key off in the lock.

If you don't have the Rave Manual, download it. There is a complete write-up on the ignition key/lock assembly. I used a lock lubricant instead of WD40. You can also use spray electronic contact cleaner to freshen up the electrical circuitry.

Handle it delicately or you will be replacing it.

 

What do you mean by lock lubricant? Brand, Type? I am having this problem as well, I was going to just throw some lube in there but am keen
to try a lock specific lube.

 

Pauly, these guys are idiots , pop the trim piece off of your gearshift **** (hehe, ****) and tighten the nut a few turns, the key will pop right out.

Your transmission is not all the way in park because the shift cable is stretched and needs adjusting.
With the truck not all the way in park it will not let you remove the key.
Use a small flat blade screwdriver to remove that trim piece.

 

I agree the key not releasing is due to the "Park" not fully engaging to allow the key to release. But the key/switch/lock on the column does also get funky when the key is worn, like his 97 most likely is as well. And like I said, don't try to force it with brute strength unless you want to replace it..

 

the wiring harness tip worked... at least i can put gas in this thing now... thanx for the tips

 

That still does not fix your problem.