i have a 95 ls400. a few weeks ago, the key started getting stuck in the ignition. this only happened after the car was cranked, and put in gear. i tried cleaning out the key insert, but nothing helped. ive done most of the stuff suggested on these forums, but the only thing that has worked for a while was tapping the key with a hammer. after a few taps, the key comes right now.
i talked to a mechanic friend, and he suggested there might be a prob with the shift mechanism. a few yrs ago, the front windshield was busted out. my friend said there might be glass in the shifter. so i took the shift mechanism apart, and there was a bunch of glass and other junk. i had to take apart the whole shifter to get to it all. (as i took this apart, i noticed a broken piece laying at the bottom of the shifing mechanism. i dont know what it came from. does anyone know how to get replacement part numbers for this area? does anyone know where I can find a DIY also?????????????) but now, i cant get the shifter to work right. i took plenty of pics to make sure i could get it back together. now the car will shift into gear even without pressing the brake pedal. i took the car around the neighborhood to make sure everything else worked ok. i noticed the car will not go into 3rd gear. even when i put the shifter into the 3rd gear, the transmission will not shift. it will drop to second, but not 3rd. does anyone have a diagram on how to put the shifting part back together. i am guessing by all this, i didnt do something correct.
now after i have done this, the key will not come out of the car. even with the hammer taps.
PLEASE HELP. i have no idea on what to do now.