What is the reason for not being able to pull out the key after turning off the engine in P gear?
2 Answers
The reason for not being able to pull out the key after turning off the engine in P gear is: the gear is not truly returned to position in P gear, actually not touching the electronic sensor or there are obstacles like coins in the gear slot preventing it from returning to position. The solution is: first check if there is a fault in the car's gear lock circuit, then inspect if there are any foreign objects blocking the gear slot, remove them, start the car, shift the gear again to confirm it is completely returned to position, and the key can then be pulled out. P gear is a gear evolved from N gear. In addition to setting the transmission to neutral mode, it also has a pawl inside the transmission that locks the gear on the output shaft to form a mechanical lock, thereby securing the drive axle to fix the vehicle in a stationary or slightly moving state.
I've encountered the issue of being unable to remove the key after turning off the engine in P position several times, which is usually caused by the gear shift lever not fully returning to its position. Often, when parking with sudden braking or shifting to P before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the sensor may fail to recognize the correct position, leading to the key mechanism getting stuck. In such cases, simply jiggling the gear shift lever or restarting the car and trying again usually resolves the issue. Another common cause is a dead battery, which renders the vehicle's electronic control system inoperative and directly affects key release. It's advisable to develop the habit of gently pushing into P after coming to a complete stop, avoiding excessive force. If this occurs frequently, it's necessary to visit a repair shop to inspect the gear shift lock mechanism, as this could indicate hidden risks like short circuits or aging wiring. Otherwise, it might lead to unexpected breakdowns, which can be quite troublesome. My old car had to be repaired once for this very reason.