Service VME - Intermittently the Ignition Key Will Not Come Out of Ignition Lock Cylinder - keywords cable housing motor off release shifter stuck

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in the PI.

Some customers may comment that intermittently the ignition key sticks or will not come out of the ignition lock cylinder. Parts returned to the Warranty Parts Center indicate multiple parts, such as, ignition keys, ignition lock cylinders, ignition housings, shifter cables and shifters are being replaced for this condition. Please note that parts testing has indicated no trouble found (NTF) on most of the parts returned. Looking into this issue further, we have found, the leading cause of this issue is due to the routing of the shifter cable. Incorrect cable routing from shifter to Ignition housing causes additional resistance to the inner cable. This additional resistance, coupled with colder weather, causes a slow/binding reaction at the cable plunger to Ignition housing gate interface, when shifting from a Drive gear back into Park. When the cable plunger does not travel fully into the housing gate, the key is not release and cannot be removed.

To correct this condition, correctly route the shifter cable from shifter to ignition housing. The shift cable should exit the front of the shifter, travel straight forward to towards the front of the vehicle cowl, loop upward and then back to the ignition housing. Any sharp bending of the cable around some other component/harness/other could cause additional inner cable resistance. Specifically, for vehicles built with the adjustable pedals, verify that the cable is route to the inside of the accelerator pedal motor. If the cable is routed to the outside of this motor, it bends sharply as it comes out of the Ignition housing creating additional resistance and potential inner cable binding. If this condition exists, simply push the cable upward over the top of the motor and it will snap back into position. Thanks in advance for your time and efforts.

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.