- #35 of 42
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Re: Key cannot be removed from ignition [scarletfox]
by QueenRoyalty
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Feb 05, 2009 (7:09 pm)
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Replying to: scarletfox (Apr 24, 2007 7:08 pm)
I just purchased my 2002 Grand Prix a week ago. The first few days it didn't give me a problem but now it is. I can pull the key out, but it isn't in the correct 'lock' position. i even found out that I can pull the key out while driving and keep rolling. Probably not a good thing, though.
Anyway, I keep seeing that people keep mentioning the 'Solenoid' (I hope I spelled it right) under the steering column. Could somebody give me an idea of where it is at? To the left or right? Somebody told me to try the graphite lube, but it has not worked yet in my case.
Right now I pulled the key out, but my park light on the dash is still on, so I'm thinking that it might run down my battery, but I am hoping not enough to drain it in one night at a time. I had to lock the doors manually since it still thinks the key is in the ignition and it won't let me use the automatic locks so that i won't lock my imaginary key in the car.
Also, someone else mentioned popping off the shift lock cover. Is that the little square thing to the right of the gear shifter? I am car-illitterate, so please forgive me for all of the questions! But thanks for anybody's help!
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- #36 of 42
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Re: Key Stuck Solution [bullwinkle3]
by 4pontiacs
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May 22, 2009 (6:49 pm)
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Replying to: bullwinkle3 (Mar 20, 2008 4:32 pm)
After reading all posts on this blog I just wanted to share that I had the same problems with the key stuk in my ignition on my 1997 Grand-am.
This problem came and went and the mechanic simply showed me that I should run the shifter slowly through the gears.
Worked for a couple of months until this week i could not remove the key no matter what i tried (for hours) then I found some idea's as posted here.
On my Grand-Am i was able to locate a small plastic cover under the steering column which exposed a chromed (cylinder like) switch in which i simply pushed it upwards towards the steering wheel direction and volla it released the key.
It seemed that i needed to apply a small amount of force to pull the switch cylinder up.
Perhaps the hard winters did not help this switch.
Hopefully this will solve my or others similar problems.
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- #37 of 42
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Re: Key won't come out of the ignition! [sykes01]
by midlife49
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May 31, 2009 (8:49 pm)
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Replying to: sykes01 (Sep 06, 2008 5:57 am)
I have a 1999 Grand Prix SE and agree that by taking the small cover located below the ignition switch and pushing a small screwdriver (like those that some hardware stores give away with the magnet on top) it released my key.... This appears to have taken care of the problem for now....
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- #38 of 42
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Re: Key won't come out of the ignition! [midlife49]
by skipcameron
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Jun 29, 2009 (1:13 pm)
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Replying to: midlife49 (May 31, 2009 8:49 pm)
We were given a 2001 Grand Prix by my in-laws, for which we were very grateful, about nine months ago. Unfortunately, after only about three months the key started to stick in the ignition. I asked several people about it--the mechanics where I get the oil changed, the guys at the car parts store, my brother-in-law who teaches auto shop--and got varying explanations. One was that the rollers in the ignition were sticking and that I should try graphite powder to get the key to keep from sticking in the ignition. I tried that and it worked for about an hour. Then I realized that it wasn't so much the key sticking in the ignition as the ignition not turning all the way to a position where the key would release. I took the car in to the dealer for an unrelated issue and asked them about it. They said it was probably the shifter but that they would charge $87 just to run a diagnostic. I passed on that and determined to fix it myself if I could as I have undertaken, with help, several car repair jobs in the recent past. I was excited to hear about the little switch/level underneath the steering column to release the key. I went out and pried off the little plastic cover, stuck a small screwdriver up there, and "Voila!" The ignition turned and the key came right out! I hadn't been able to get the key out for weeks! Thank you posters! This situation is still annoying but until I'm ready to pay several hundred dollars to get this fixed, I'm very happy with this solution.
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- #39 of 42
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Re: Key won't come out of the ignition! [skipcameron]
by dcbradley
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Jul 02, 2009 (10:44 am)
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Replying to: skipcameron (Jun 29, 2009 1:13 pm)
As mentioned in my reply #33, that "little switch" that you are pushing in with a screwdriver (or whatever fits) is a solenoid with a plunger on the end of it. It's there to make sure the car is in PARK before the key can come out.
To bypass this switch, remove the plastic surrounding the ignition switch and steering column, and ziptie this plunger so that it is permanently engaged (depressed).
Key comes out normally with no adverse effects on the rest of the systems. This permanent fix costs $0.00.
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- #40 of 42
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Re: Key won't come out of the ignition! [skipcameron]
by silver1882
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Sep 23, 2009 (12:40 pm)
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Replying to: skipcameron (Jun 29, 2009 1:13 pm)
My son's car was having the same problem, I took a look at it and the button you push on your shifter was stuck in a little I got it to pop out then the ignition would turn all the way off and the key would come out. He has a 1995 grand prix. I hope this helps some one.
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- #41 of 42
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Re: Key won't come out of the ignition! [silver1882]
by aneimayer
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Sep 26, 2009 (8:13 am)
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Replying to: silver1882 (Sep 23, 2009 12:40 pm)
When shifting into park, my gear shift lever wasn't releasing all the way up. I sprayed some WD-40 on both sides of the shaft and worked this a few times and haven't had a problem since.
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- #42 of 42
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Re: Key cannot be removed from ignition [dcbradley]
by demoncar
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Oct 07, 2009 (4:11 pm)
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Replying to: dcbradley (Mar 05, 2007 6:51 pm)
check your motor mounts! if trans is sitting weird park wont engage properly! then check linkage both on trans and switch under steering column!
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