My 1999 SL2 will not let me have the key back until it is ready. It can be minutes, hours, or days. No nothing, begging, pleading, cursing, shaking, or anything else I can do releases the key except with the release tab. It has a new ignition lock from a dealer. It is not nice of my car to make me remove the steering wheel column cover any time I want the key.

 

ummmmm take it back (?)

 

open question to anyone who wishes to answer. So I don't have to look it up myself.
Is there some kind of an electical solenoid controlled do-hicky that releases the key so you can pull it out when you turn off the engine?
I never really thought about it a lot although I have owned my car for multi-years, but the other day the battery was pretty much dead. I went to start it, it didn't and I could not get the key out. Curse, whine, plead and threaten did not release it. Swearing I put a battery charge on the things. Opened the door and took the key out. I swear that sucker was not going to move short of blasting. With the battery charger on it dogone near jumped out!
coinicidense? or Does it work that way?
Inquiring minds would like to know.