Keys stuck in ignition and battery is dead. Help!!

I'm from California, and I drive a 2002 Subaru Forester. Today I was getting out of my car when I realized that I left the window open. I put the keys back in to close the window, then got distracted by my friends and stupidly left the keys in the ignition in on.

I came back around 2 hours later to find the keys stuck in the ignition (luckily I had left the door unlocked). I'm pretty sure the battery is dead, and I can't turn the key back to the 0 position because it makes a clicking noise. I'm not sure if it's the alarm or not. So I have to leave the key in 2, but no matter what I do the key won't come out.

Somebody told me the transmission is locked, but I don't know what that means. But I would greatly appreciate if anybody could tell me how to make it so that my key can just come out. Then from there I can just borrow a jumper cable and restart the car.

I'm desperate and have no idea what to do so any help is appreciated. Thank you!!

Reply to
hellovicky
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See if there is a little cap covering a small hole under the ignition switch.Stick a pin in the hole (a paper clip or whatever) and push up.That might release the key.

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2002 Subaru Forester key stuck in ignition

I drive a 1983 Dodge van.Sometimes it is hard to get the ignition key to turn and start the engine.I have to play with the key. cuhulin

Reply to
cuhulin

Or just get a jumper box or a new battery. It needs voltage to work.

Reply to
thenitedude

Why not jump the battery and then remove the key?

Reply to
Paul

Set parking brake. Put shifter in neutral, then back to park, while stepping on brake. Wiggle the wheel one side to the other, firmly, while turning key back to the position where it comes out. You parked on a slope and/or with the front wheels turned, I bet? If the interlock is really tightly jammed, you may need to roll car a few inches to take the pressure off.

My little sister did that once, and called home in a panic, so you are not the first person it has happened to.

Reply to
aemeijers

Now that's funny right there!!!

Reply to
thenitedude

Dang new fangled gizmos on them late model vehicles.They cause more problems than they are suppose to solve.That's why I like my old, old vehicles.

I have never driven or even sat inside of a Subaru vehicle before.What do I know about Subaru ignitions? cuhulin

Reply to
cuhulin

Open the hood, Connect up the jumper cables CORRECTLY. Then let the other vehicle charge your battery a while. Turn off any accessories and don't worry about the key for now.

Once it has charged a while turn the key and see if it starts (it should) Now drive to a good parts store and buy a NEW battery. Once a battery has been drained fully they usually don't come all the way back.

Reply to
Steve W.

I got a friend to jump my car and now everything is all good! It took about twenty minutes cause the alarm would not stop going off, but it eventually worked. Thanks for all the replies! I will be less stupid next time :P

Reply to
hellovicky

Thanks for the update. We live and learn :)

Reply to
Paul

That's interesting. When you turn the key to start, do the lights go almost completely out? If so, that would sound like a dead battery.

I would first get a jump start.

I don't know why the key won't come out now, or what they mean by a "locked transmission" but I would first jump the car. If it's a manual transmission, I might even try to push-start it.

Note that many cars have steering wheel locks... you cannot remove the key if the wheel is not in a locked position.

--scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey

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