I just bought a 1973 Maverick 2 door,and have this problem:The key is not coming out of the ignition.Is there some sort of safety lock there,and where and how do you push it to release the key? Thanks in advance,any help will be appreciated.
There is no ignition lock on these cars. It could just be jammed, but I suspect your cylinder may be broken. I have a 71 grabber that the key would not come out because the cylinder would not turn all the way back to the off position. In my case, they cylinder would not lock into the column properly either -- the only way to remove the key was to remove the cylinder.
I had just the opposite problem. Back in '73 when I test drove my Maverick, I got back to the car lot, turned off the ignition and the key w/ whole lock cylinder just fell on the floor! Boy, was the salesman embarrassed! They had to replace the cylinder.
If you have a tilt steering column you can remove the cylinder by using a stiff wire (I prefer a small pen or paper clip) and pushing in on the release button which should be just under it in a small groove on the side of the column. Turn the cylinder so it's not locked (doesn't neccessarily have to be all of the way into the on position) and depress that little button it should pop right out. If your steering column is standard (like mine) then the release button is inside the column and you will have to remove your steering wheel to get at it but it's the same principal just different location. When you install the new one just slide it into the undisturbed housing all of the way and then turn it into the lock position it should click right in and thats it yer done
Is your car a column shift? Is it turning back to the locked position? A key cannot be removed unless it is in the locked position and it will not turn to the locked position unless it is in park for automatics and reverse for the manuals. If it is a floor shift model, there should be a rod connecting the column to the trans linkage. If its not going to the locked position, try pushing up on the shift lever, then turning the key or if a floor shift, make sure the rod is connected.
