HELPPP..Key stuck

[anmrajan]

Help me out guys!!I drive a E46 318 2002;Just this morning i parked my car at this open car park near klcc and couldnt get my key out of the ignition!! thee steering is free and not locked but the key would'nt come out..i can start the engine and stop it..did this a few times but key is still stuck..had this car for almost 3 months now, first time this is happening..also another thing i just realized is, when i put the gear into P, it did not go in all the way..the electronic indicator said it was already in P, but the small orange light beside P didn't light up and it didnt feel like it was all the way into P..i pushed a little harder and it went it, this is when i tried taking the key out and coundnt! so when i on and off car few times, moved gear around (still didnt feel like it went to P fully), still key stuck..right now it's still in parking lot with steering lock on, so car should be safe..what to do ah?? helllppp

 

[alxy]

Maybe try driving it around a bit? Sometimes that helps to clear the bugs in the system

 

[planta]

Bro

This happened to me on another car and not my E46.
Issue is the same with yours. The gear lever was blocked by something.
You have to open the gear console to check this out.

If there is nothing blocking it then it should be the gear lever connections. Have seen a 7 serie with the same problem due to broken transmission cable connecting the gear lever to the transmission switch at the gear box. I would recommend, drive the car to the nearest workshop if you can't find anything blocking the lever inside the gear console. To check this out, you would have to lift the car up, remove the aluminioum cover and check it from the side of the gear box.

planta

 

[3er]

The key doesnt come out until you have the gear lever in P. Try shoving it into P with a bit more force? Alternatively if you are in KLCC, just drive over to Sapura Auto (barely 5 mins drive) along J Tun Razak for some assistance.

 

[anmrajan]

thanks guys!! went to a BMW and Mercs Specialist in Cheras just beside the Kesas HW and the problem was cause by a wire that was preventing the gear to engage in P fully. So it was a quick fix, lucky me!!

took the opportunity to do a regular service on the car, first time since i bought the car..so i'll post up the charges soon for the shop!

again thanks guys!!