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Key Fob Stuck in Ignition Switch Housing

G’Dave

G’Dave

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Greetings all, I have a problem with the ignition switch in my Ram. It's a 2014 1500 Tradesman, but I'm posting here because many of you have owned older Rams, and may have experience with this issue.

My key fob is stuck in the ignition, and won't allow me to switch from ACC to OFF. I can start the truck, and drive it, and turn off the engine, but cannot make the final twist from "ACC" to "OFF". My truck has the 8 speed ZF with the rotary dial shifter, and the fat key fob that is commonly used across the entire CDJR lineup. It is not a push button ignition. The digital gear position information on the dash corresponds with the dial (shifter) position, and the truck is functioning normally with the exception of this headache that started yesterday afternoon. I had to pull the ground last night so that the battery wouldn't get drained, and had to leave the truck parked in my driveway, unlocked.

Does anyone know if there is a TSB related to this issue, or have any suggestions? I know that I can take it to my local dealer, but trying to avoid that if possible.

TIA,
 
Not sure about the Keyed Ram, but on my Toyota sometimes I have to rotated the steering wheel slightly to get the steering wheel lock to engage. Then the key slides right out. Thought I’d just throw that out there.
 
Jsboening said:
Not sure about the Keyed Ram, but on my Toyota sometimes I have to rotated the steering wheel slightly to get the steering wheel lock to engage. Then the key slides right out. Thought I’d just throw that out there.
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Thanks - I tried several of the basic troubleshooting options including various combinations turning the engine on and off, moving the shifter through the 4 available positions, and wiggling the steering, but none of these have worked


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Computer needs to recognize the vehicle is in Park. One of the safety items to keep owners from turning the vehicle off and not having it in park. There was a software update somewhere along the line to address where people turned off the vehicle too quickly after turning the dial and key would lock until restarted, turned to drive, park, allowed to shift,then turned off.
 
Jsrunnlus said:
Computer needs to recognize the vehicle is in Park. One of the safety items to keep owners from turning the vehicle off and not having it in park. There was a software update somewhere along the line to address where people turned off the vehicle too quickly after turning the dial and key would lock until restarted, turned to drive, park, allowed to shift,then turned off.
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Oh boy, a software update would be awesome. I’ll be stoked if that’s all it takes.


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G’Dave said:
Oh boy, a software update would be awesome. I’ll be stoked if that’s all it takes.


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I wouldn't get too excited. Being a 2014 I doubt that is something a dealer would cover under warranty work and likely want to charge a minimum diagnostic fee.
 
Yep, no warranty. I'm sure you're right about the diagnostic fee...
 
I ran into that same problem in my 2016 2500 a few times. My issue ended up being related to the angle of my driveway and how after I back into my spot, when the truck would roll to settle slightly after taking my foot off the brake, the ignition wouldn't give me back the key. I would have to put it back into drive, then back into park and then turn it off before releasing my foot from the brake.
 
LateToTheParty said:
I ran into that same problem in my 2016 2500 a few times. My issue ended up being related to the angle of my driveway and how after I back into my spot, when the truck would roll to settle slightly after taking my foot off the brake, the ignition wouldn't give me back the key. I would have to put it back into drive, then back into park and then turn it off before releasing my foot from the brake.
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I’ll give this a try and let you know.


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Update for you guys. I have a transmission and fuel management "Hot Tune" software package installed on the truck (from Green Diesel Engineering in Detroit). I connected my flash tool to the OBD2 port last night to uninstall the software prior to taking it to the dealer. (This is recommended by GDE, because if the dealer performs any kind of software change while the GDE software is in place, it will permanently disable the GDE Hot Tune). The key was still stuck in the ignition. I disconnected the battery again and left it alone.

After reconnecting the battery this morning, I fired it up and immediately noticed the check engine light had come on. I let it warm up and then drove to the dealer, pulled into the service bay, shut down the engine, and then discovered that the key turned all the way to the left and came out. So I drove it home, flashed it again to re-install the Hot Tune, and it's back to normal. Key works as expected, and check engine light is cleared.

It was all about the software......Crazy
 
G’Dave said:
Update for you guys. I have a transmission and fuel management "Hot Tune" software package installed on the truck (from Green Diesel Engineering in Detroit). I connected my flash tool to the OBD2 port last night to uninstall the software prior to taking it to the dealer. (This is recommended by GDE, because if the dealer performs any kind of software change while the GDE software is in place, it will permanently disable the GDE Hot Tune). The key was still stuck in the ignition. I disconnected the battery again and left it alone.

After reconnecting the battery this morning, I fired it up and immediately noticed the check engine light had come on. I let it warm up and then drove to the dealer, pulled into the service bay, shut down the engine, and then discovered that the key turned all the way to the left and came out. So I drove it home, flashed it again to re-install the Hot Tune, and it's back to normal. Key works as expected, and check engine light is cleared.

It was all about the software......Crazy
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Glad you got it figured out. I had a tuner problem as well on my 2014. I had a diablo intune 2 and needed to take the truck in for a pcm update. I returned the truck to stock and took it in. After getting the truck back, I went to reinstall the tune. No go, the tuner was basically bricked. I went round and round with trinity/diablo for months. They finally allowed me to send the tuner in for "Repair". It cost me 80 bucks but they basically sent me a new updated tuner. Lesson learned, the electronics of these trucks are pretty fragile and they control everything. I won't be doing any type of tuning on my new truck when I get it.
 
kevin588127 said:
Glad you got it figured out. I had a tuner problem as well on my 2014. I had a diablo intune 2 and needed to take the truck in for a pcm update. I returned the truck to stock and took it in. After getting the truck back, I went to reinstall the tune. No go, the tuner was basically bricked. I went round and round with trinity/diablo for months. They finally allowed me to send the tuner in for "Repair". It cost me 80 bucks but they basically sent me a new updated tuner. Lesson learned, the electronics of these trucks are pretty fragile and they control everything. I won't be doing any type of tuning on my new truck when I get it.
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Yep - I'm with you there. This is one of the many reasons why I ordered a Hemi for my next truck. Plenty of "get up and go", and less likely to have complicated emissions issues.
 
Remove the complicated emmissions --> no issues.
 
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