My wife's well kept 1994 Grand Cherokee (99k miles) hates me. After sitting outside in wet weather for a week or two it starts fine, runs fine, but won't release the ignition key when I shut it off. Man.... what a pain!

If I continue driving it regularly, it will eventually dry out enough after 2 or 3 days of regular use and let go of the key. It will then work properly as long as I drive it regularly. But if I let it sit outside again for a week or two the problem repeats itself again... and again... and again. Arghhhh!!

Each year we average 100-inches rain and 150-inches snow. We have no garage and she rarely drives it now, so this is getting to be more of a problem.

Anybody have any ideas? (Dealerships are no help, of course.)

Fourteen year old vehicle? I'd prolly saw the key off even with the ignition and LEAVE it in there! Then use another one for the door.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

When the ignition key won't come out of the ignition, it is possible that the steering lock is keeping it from coming out. At such times, have you tried banging the steering wheel in each direction while trying to pull the key out?

Also, the next time you do get it out, get one of those little squirt tubes of graphite lock lubricant and squirt the hell out of it. (Don't forget to clean it up afterward, and tell you wife about it, so she doesn't get graphite over her good clothess.)

Big Jim: Until I get it fixed, I've just been draping a black towel over the black steering column to hide the key so it does'nt look too tempting to a thief.

BobRowe: I've done all the giggling and banging, and I've used WD40. Graffite is a good idea though, I'll try that next time the key comes out. Sure wish I could get the key out on command.

Any other ideas out there?

The ultimate solution, of course, is to replace the ignition switch.