Volvo S70 stuck ignition key

I'm having a problem with our 1999 Volvo S70. Every time we turn the car
off, the key is not able to come out of the ignition. It seems as though the
button on the gear shift knob is pushed in when it should be out. If you
play with the button on the gear shift knob, it will eventually come out and
we are then able to take the key from the ignition.

Does anyone know what is causing this problem and if so, what would be the
repair?

TIA

Mark

 

The linkage between the button and the cable needs to be lubricated at
the base of the shifter, or the cable itself has slightly come out of
place or needs lubrication. (The cable takes the button motion up to
the ignition lock preventing the key from being removed in any shifter
position except park, and with the button out.) I've had this problem
with both of my '98s, one was the cable needing repositioning, the other
was lubing of the linkage under the knob. In the meantime, I found that
slapping the gearshift knob caused the button to pop out.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Thanks for the info Mike. I got the car back from the shop at the dealership
and they lubricated the knob linkage. They didn't even charge me. Thanks
once again.

Mark

 

It is not uncommon to have to replace the gear shift knob assembly.
The hinge part of the release button has broken and causes the button
to bind and not release to the normal rest position.
When this happens, the only fix is to replace the complete knob unit.
BD