The ignition switch on a 1996 Mercury Tracer might lock up and release only when the shifter is removed from park and then put in the park position again because the sensor is getting worn. This sensor lets the ignition know that the car is in park and it is safe to remove the key. Check the shift position sensor.
To remove the main key, make sure it's in the 'off' position, and the car is in park. To remove the glove box key, push the skinny button on the top over and it will release.
the ignition barral will relese the key when the car is in park
To remove a key that is stuck in the ignition on a Peugeot 406 HDI, make sure that the car is in park. Then try to remove the key. If this does not work, spray the ignition mechanism with WD-40 after pulling out the key as far as possible. Then work the key in and out until it comes out.
Raise the car as necessary and put the car on jack stands. The ignition coils (there are three coils) are bolted to the ignition module using 2 small screws. First remove the two spark plug wires making note of which position each is in. Then remove the screws and take the coil off. Reverse the process to install the new coil.
When your transmission is in park, it has a key release switch that can get corroded over time. I cleaned mine on my older Audi. You might be able to do that on yours. If it is intermittent, run the lever from park to neutral, then back to park. Turn the key to start, but do not start the car. turn the key back to the off position. It should then pull out.
car thinks it's not in park
Take the keys out of the ignition.
the reason why you can't take the key out is probably because it is not in park, i noticed it with my '91 corsica. i have no idea why it won't go into park though
My 1999 Chevy Malibu does the same thing. Make sure the gear shift selector is actually clicked all the way into park (push or pull it until the button clicks). The key cannot be turned all the way to the off position (and removed) until the car is in park.
Try wiggling the steering wheel
A mechanism that locks the steering wheel if the ignition switch is not in the "run" position, preventing someone that is trying to steal the car by hot wiring the ignition from driving the car.