Key stuck in ignition - help!

[Sunshine]

Hi everyone - I have a 2000 Discovery II and having issues with my ignition key stuck in the ignition. Has been happening for the past eight months and have been tolerating it but now it's down right frustrating! Wiggling the steering wheel and now holding a soft cushy pair of gloves to prevent my hand getting messed up. It's already blistered.
My mechanic told me it could cost up to almost $1000 to get a new ignition drum? or whatever the word is?
Any feedback please to fix it? I live in Victoria and have owned this vehicle for almost three years and has been wonderful to drive and look after.
Looking forward to anyone's replies.

[ANDYD]

This is a well known issue with the Discovery and there are various reasons but the least likely is the Ignition switch its self so I wouldnt start with that.

The idea is the key can not be removed if the shifter is not in the "Park" position. When the shifter is in "park" position it releases a plunger on the ignition barrel that stops the key being removed. The most common reason for failure is the little micro switch that gets activated when the lever is in "park" position.
Try pulling the gear shift lever more towards the park position or even wiggling the gear shift lever when in park and at the same time try removing the key.

I have heard that this ignition barrel plunger that holds the key in can be deactivated but this would also mean the key can be removed at any time (not just when in park).

I wouldn't keep fighting with the key like you have been doing as this will damage the ignition switch which is expensive to replace.
I'm sure is you search the web for "Land Rover Discovery Key stuck in ignition" you will find lots of information out there...

Good luck
Andy

[Sunshine]

Thank you for the information. My truck is automatic... so have tried to put it in Park and then move back to Drive (with the Emergency brake on) and then back to Park... it still doesn't do anything. And I need my right hand to move the gear in place plus the same hand to get the key out...
So I guess I'll check the posts that other people have posted online...
Lee

[rgallant]

@Sunshine try this :

• Get some penetrating silicone oil or other lightweight penetrating oil -not WD30 a spray would be best
  Put a bit of oil around the inner barrel of the ignition switch,only a little bit. If you push the key in you will see where to oil should go
  Rotate the key a few times as well as pushing the key in and out

You may have to repeat.

If you get the key out spray the barrel again, and a bit of oil in the where the key goes and on the key then put the key in and out a few times


Does this help ?

[Sunshine]

Going to try that... I do have an appointment with another mechanic in Fairfield... so we shall see what happens.
Thank you for your reply, Lee