- #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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