RAM ProMaster How To Override The Ignition Key Release

Your ignition key could get stuck in the cylinder because your battery died and the solenoid won't release, or because the shifter cable is not properly aligned. There was a recall for that, or for some other reason, you may have to release the key while the shift selector is not in park. Here's a no-nonsense guide to getting your key un-stuck.

[@jonasabad2848]

The best information for promaster owners with key jammed in the ignition. Thank you so much!!

[@ytJnC]

I had a lot of difficulty pulling on that key release pin with a screwdriver. Part of the problem was that the tab on the top of my pin was very loose and spinning around, which made it hard to get the blade over the longest part of the tab. If you look to the left of the access hole, there is a cylindrical cover access plate held by two screws. Remove the screws and plastic plate and now you can reach in with your finger and use your fingernail to get underneath the tab for the release pin.

[@NoahAxon]

Great tip!

[@brianritchie75]

Great tip. Helped me out big time in a parking lot on a 100° day where time was of the essence. Thank you so much

[@melissaellsworth7943]

Do you know where the release pin actually is? I just see a metal square cover with a hole in it but it's not actually moving

[@danielclemens2596]

Don’t try to get it like he does in the video. You’ll never get it. You have to unscrew the plastic cover to see it then pull the release.

[@birdysoflyy]

Worked for me. Thank you so much!🙏🏾

[@fernandoventura3921]

Thank you for the video What if the van doesn’t turn on?

[@rigostar14]

For those have a problem still getting it to release just remove the negative battery terminal this will reset it.

[@rigostar14]

Just need to disconnect it for a few seconds

[@melissaellsworth7943]

Didn't work for me...

[@NoahAxon]

The fun part is, you need voltage to trigger the ignition switch to release the key, and the ECU has to decide it's safe to remove the key as well. so a dead battery, the shifter cable recall problem, the requirement to leave the vehicle in neutral for some reason (towing it with the front wheels on the ground sounds like a bad idea to me but whatever) or even some other fault with the shifter, transmission or electrical system can lock the key in. Sometimes, you really do need the manual override.

[@juanramon10-14]

Nice watch man

[@danielm3835]

Had this issue when I removed the transmission. Took the two Allen screws out to access the tab since the tab actually spins.

[@elmarlavidareal2948]

This guy is amazing

[@timothyball3144]

Here's my story on this so far. Key won't turn. Second key doesn't even go in all the way. Pulling the release doesnt work. To be sure the release was coming out all the way. (There are two grub screws holding the solenoid in. Loosen them a few turns and the solenoid comes out.) Removed the entire switch assembly. (The assembly is bolted to the steering column with break-off security bolts, but a hammer and chisel will loosen them enough to get them out with pliers.) At this point, it obvious there is a mechanical problem in this assembly. I have a good switch part, but the lock cylinder will take a couple of weeks to get here. Right now, it's at the locksmith. Their idea is that the wafers that do the locking are worn to the point where, even though the key goes in, they arent moving far enough to allow the key to turn. They have been trying to get it, but as a last ditch, they may have to cut the switch assembly to remove the lock cylinder, then assess further.

[@TedEvanSeymour]

My promaster key wouldn't release because the attachment to the negative terminal post of the battery was not tight. I had changed the battery a couple of months ago and apparently it worked it's way to being slightly loose. It's a pivot clamp type clip that is worth checking to make sure it's tight. Solved the issue for me. Once clue that this might be the problem is that all the dash lights remain off in the accessory position and key fobs don't work.

[@rrvallance]

Great videos thank you.

[@Cb_8360]

The problem why it's stuck is because your master fuse on the battery is bad. There's a release on the solenoid that you could just pull it down to get the key out so this video technique does work if you can find the solenoid. To stop this problem from happening you need to replace the fuse on the battery, you can use a wire to test it to just jump the pole terminals see if that's what's wrong but I'm almost 100% positive it is

[@NoahAxon]

Any time the solenoid doesn't get electricity, it can get in this state. Can be a bad fuse like you mentioned, could be a dead battery as well. And, of course, if the shifter doesn't think it's in park because of the shifter cable recall or some other reason (like you're actually not in park but for some reason need to remove the key in neutral)

[@OscarGomez-wv9fd]

Is that battery fuse you mentioned on the battery itself or a wire that's part of the ProMaster City van?

[@elmarlavidareal2948]

Can you make a video about how to replace the AC mode door actuator?

[@danielm3835]

No

[@dellowyog]

Thanks

[@lorraineanderson149]

THANK YOU!! for this great on getting the key out. It only took a few seconds to find the release. Now I need to find out why my van will not start. The battery is good, fuses (volt meter lights up) are good but when I tried to start the van, nothing happened and the key was stuck again. I was able to remove the key by this method again. Now I'm checking the trouble shooting list to find the actual problem. Do you have any suggestions??

[@Richkidking]

Did you find any soulotions going three the same thing?

[@lorraineanderson149]

@@Richkidking One I got the key started I did a quick jump start on my battery, once it started up it ran fine.

[@ThEmEsSiAh187-CFGeorge]

So what fixes this problem? I know you said it must be taken to the dealer, but what they change to fix this? Thanks

[@NoahAxon]

Almost all of the time that someone takes it to the dealership for this (I've seen lots of stories on the ProMaster forums and FB groups) the ignition cyliner isn't to blame and it ends up being a low/dead battery or the shifter cable has slipped and the transmission isn't actually in park (there's a recall for that on some ProMasters).

[@chanm1000]

Thank you this worked!!!

[@NewWorldDAO]

So as my hackers locks up my steering column through the computer, I have to fix it manually? Is there a way to fix it through the vehicle computer system on the dash?

[@NoahAxon]

This solenoid doesn't lock up your steering column. This solenoid keeps you from being able to remove your key. If your key is removed, THEN your steering column is locked. The steering column lock is not computer-controlled at all, it's 100% mechanical and relies on the key being removed from the ignition.

[@melissaellsworth7943]

Does anyone know what actually inside releases this? I took the compartment off and there is no release tab, just a little metal square looking cover with a hole in it and I stuck a screwdriver in there and didn't do anything.

[@NoahAxon]

On the under-side of the ignition switch, there's a metal dome hanging down, with red and black wires attached. Hanging down from the center of that dome is a little plastic knob. If you have the underside of the steering column taken off, you should see it, and pulling down on that knob should let you turn the key back to the release position to remove it. It may be difficult to pull if you're already trying to turn the key back to the off position. What I'm doing in this video is trying to pull that plastic button down without taking the steering column apart.

[@NoahAxon]

If you don't see anything that looks like what I described, might I ask what model year and promaster chassis style you are working on? It's possible this doesn't work on ProMaster City vans and they may have changed the ignition cylinder on the 2022+ models with the new style transmission as well.

[@michaelmurphy6434]

I put in a new cab battery to get the key out. I thought when the battery does not come out, it means your battery is dying

[@NoahAxon]

If the battery doesn't have enough electricity to pop the key release solenoid when you're in park, you'll get the key stuck like this. You can jump start the van, or hook it up to a charger which SHOULD release the key. Of course, replacing the battery with a good, fully charged one will also work. Sometimes, the battery itself is drained but doesn't need to be replaced such as if you left your lights on, or if your alternator has failed or the accessory belt that spins the alternator fell off or broke. In all of these cases, though, the trick in this video should let you remove the key even if the battery is toast or you're for some reason stuck in gear.

[@melissaellsworth7943]

Didn't work for me. Took the cover up and didn't see whatever you were releasing.

[@CDSXCalibur]

Wow…

[@danielclemens2596]

Don’t try to get it like he does in the video. You’ll never get it. You have to unscrew the plastic cover to see it then pull the release. I got a key stuck in a 20 Promaster with a dead battery. Tried to shove something in there like the video and it is impossible. Just unscrew the plastic cover, pull it down, and pull out the pin thingy with the plastic on the edge that spins around. Done.

[@NoahAxon]

I'll probably add a follow up video showing exactly that. It's probably worth trying real quick without tearing the steering column apart, though. It seems dependent on how freely that knob spins and perhaps what sort of tool you're using. And maybe just a bit of luck.