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help please! bypassing ignition barrel and starting with a screwdriver problem.....

hi, my key snapped in the ignition, ive started the car using a screwdriver in the plastic bit behind the ignition, (thanks to advice from lovely msers re a similar drama last week!) all good.

....until i try and put it into gear- its a toyota estime auto, you have to put your foot on the brake to put it into gear from park- but the gear stick seems jammed? have i done something to the gears (the gear stick is on the steering column too) or is this some sort of immobiliser?

any ideas or advice greatly appreciated!!!
We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. Carl Jung

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Comments

  • Your playing russian roulette even trying to move a vehicle in this state, what if the broken bit of key shifts and the steering lock comes on while moving?

    what if it cuts out in a really bad place and you can't restart it?

    I guess with this type of vehicle your shifting kids around?

    If you love them don't try to move it, get it fixed properly. Sorry if that sounds harsh or you are short of the money but its not worth making the obituaries for.
    European for 3 weeks in August, the rest of the year only British and proud.
  • some autos with a column shift will only allow the key to turned or removed when its in park position so the fault could be linked to the key switch drama. it should be a mechanical lock so im sure if you get the covers off the steering column you could work it out.
    ...work permit granted!
  • Pssst
    Pssst Posts: 4,803 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Work on removing the snapped key rather than trying to bypass its operation.
  • sjaypink
    sjaypink Posts: 6,740 Forumite
    hi, i dont plan taking the kids in it, but i do want to get it home as im much happier for it to be left unlocked on my driveway than on the road on the other side of town!
    i dont think it has a steering lock? no chance of the little end of the key turning itself imho, although i appreciate the concerns raised.
    re trying to get the broken key out; it was my only key so getting that out will not help really.
    have now ordered an ignition barrel, so hopefully replacing it will solve the problem?
    We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. Carl Jung

  • The position of the key shouldn't matter, with your foot on the pedal the gearbox should come out of park - engine off or on. At least that's how it's been on cars I've owned. On mine, its a mechanical interlock and nothing to do with the key.

    I suspect this problem is coincidental. Whatever, you need to fix the key problem (as it's easy to steal).

    /edit: just noticed its a column shift, so I may well be wrong. Why don't you try getting a locksmith to remove the key ?
  • kaya
    kaya Posts: 2,465 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    my merc wont come out of park without the key urned to position one, my shogun was the same, im assuming that you havent removed the old barrel casing from the steering column yet, which you will probably have to do in order to fit the new one, have you checked that the steering lock machanism is removed and cannot jam while you are driving?, maybe you should join the aa or phone a recovery company to get it home
  • Once you have started the car, there is no issue with the steering lock coming on again, the problem your having now is transmission lock, and on some toyota auto's theres a little red button with a load of japanese writing on it next to the gear lever.

    start the car, push that button in and move the lever into Drive at the same time, its a transmission lock over-ride.

    hope this helps
  • sjaypink
    sjaypink Posts: 6,740 Forumite
    bungle4x4 wrote: »
    Once you have started the car, there is no issue with the steering lock coming on again, the problem your having now is transmission lock, and on some toyota auto's theres a little red button with a load of japanese writing on it next to the gear lever.

    start the car, push that button in and move the lever into Drive at the same time, its a transmission lock over-ride.

    hope this helps
    i cant get to it again now until tonight to have a look, but im half hopefull there is is a red button there, and mine is an import too, so there are loads of buttons around with japenese writing on them! yes i certainly think your right about it being the transmission lock rather than a fault or it merely being jammed because it wiggles a bit if you see what i mean- feels exactly the same as when you try and put it into gear without your foot on the break, i cant understand though why the transmission lock is coming on .....
    We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. Carl Jung

  • for what ever reason the trans lock isn't being released by the snapped key, but don't worry, just get it home and get it sorted. its not too difficult a job to whip out the ignition barrel and get the key out if your mechanically minded.
  • anewman
    anewman Posts: 9,200 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I wonder if a little super glue on the end of the key (I mean a little and only on the very end) pushed in hard for a minute or two would get the broken segment out.
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