Car battery died and the ignition key wouldn't come out....

[k0ua]

You mean like those new 'homeboy' style sideways sights for the gangsta type gun stance?

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/images/nyte-sytes.jpg


http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/thug_sideways_pistol_aim.jpg

Sights?! We don't need no stinking sights! We homey's!

 

[Bird]

Does anyone else remember Chevys with ignitions that had lips on them so you could start the car without the key if you didn't lock the ignition? Maybe I'm imagining it.

My 2001 Ford Ranger ignition lock looks like that, and if you don't lock the ignition (turn the key all the way off) you can remove the key and turn the switch on, lights on the instrument panel come on, if the A/C blower switch is on, the blower starts, BUT it will not start or engage the starter motor because it uses a key with a chip.

 

[k0ua]

My 2001 Ford Ranger ignition lock looks like that, and if you don't lock the ignition (turn the key all the way off) you can remove the key and turn the switch on, lights on the instrument panel come on, if the A/C blower switch is on, the blower starts, BUT it will not start or engage the starter motor because it uses a key with a chip.

But those old Chevy's would fire right up as long as you did not reinsert the key to lock it. You never needed a key at all. It was a simpler time.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Had an 08 impala, know what you mean about having to disassemble the engine compartment to get the battery out. Didn't have a key problem, but had lots of other problems, like the emission system not working after only 4 yrs.

 

[Jstpssng]

My 2001 Ford Ranger ignition lock looks like that, and if you don't lock the ignition (turn the key all the way off) you can remove the key and turn the switch on, lights on the instrument panel come on, if the A/C blower switch is on, the blower starts, BUT it will not start or engage the starter motor because it uses a key with a chip.

You could do that with my 2009 Chevy by the time it was traded... actually you could take the key out and drive down the road without it. As you said, the starter won't work without the chip though.

I had an 1982(?)Yamaha Maxim that was the same way... one morning before daylight I was headed to work when something hit my leg. I reached down and grabbed the key just before it slid off the tank after falling from the ignition. I wasn't long ordering a spare key for it.

 

[Bird]

But those old Chevy's would fire right up as long as you did not reinsert the key to lock it. You never needed a key at all. It was a simpler time.

Incidentally, with the key out, as I said you can turn the switch to the start position, but it doesn't engage the starter, BUT if you turn the switch back all the way, it locks without the key and then you cannot turn it forward again.

 

[Bird]

Had an 08 impala, know what you mean about having to disassemble the engine compartment to get the battery out. Didn't have a key problem, but had lots of other problems, like the emission system not working after only 4 yrs.

We have a 2014 Ford Escape SE and I have no idea where the battery is.:laughing: I haven't found it, looking around under the hood, so I wouldn't even know what to start taking apart to get to the battery.

 

[Jstpssng]

But those old Chevy's would fire right up as long as you did not reinsert the key to lock it. You never needed a key at all. It was a simpler time.

I really believe that was a function of a worn ignition switch and/or key, rather than a feature from the manufacturer.

 

[Gator6x4]

We have a 2014 Ford Escape SE and I have no idea where the battery is.:laughing: I haven't found it, looking around under the hood, so I wouldn't even know what to start taking apart to get to the battery.

Look under the rear seat. A lot of vehicles today have the battery under the rear seat with two large posts under the hood to jump the vehicle.

I was wrong Bird. I called a mechanic friend he advised it is under the hood. He advised it is on the right side when standing in front of the vehicle, looking towards the rear. He advised it is just to the right of the master cyclinder and covered by a black plastic cover. He also advised it is a major job to change the battery. He advises the air cleaner, all the plastic housings, etc between the battery and the radiator has to be removed to replace the battery, about a hour job and if you ever do it make sure according to him you use a ECM keep alive power source or you will probably have radio and driveeability problems.

 

[MossRoad]

dodge too, if the lock cyl was broke

I started my dodge truck till i sold it that way. you could slip key in or out in any position, and as long as not all the way back you could turn it to anything forward of the accy/lock position. ( IE.. run and start )

I had 4 70's Novas that you could do that with. :laughing: