- #1 of 10
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key stuck
by rob142
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Mar 26, 2009 (9:55 pm)
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I have a 04 Saturn Ion with auto transmission. When I go to shut off the ign. sw. after driving the ign. key won't shut all the way off and you can not remove the key. The key operates just fine. I can start the car, turn the engine off but the key won't turn all the way off to release the key. I was wondering if it could have something to do with the neutral safety switch on the transmission. Does anybody know how I can access it and test it to see if that is the problem? Thank you.
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- #2 of 10
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Re: key stuck [rob142]
by bertbaggins
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Mar 27, 2009 (7:54 am)
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Replying to: rob142 (Mar 26, 2009 9:55 pm)
my wife has that same problem with her sl-1. she basically just jiggles the key around, and cranks on the steering wheel, eventually it works. I'm pretty sure we will have to get an ignition switch at some point. I have a saturn ion and my key is sometimes hard to turn. Saturn is a bunch a-holes who can't build a good car, and then when somthing breaks they try to get you to fix 20 other things so they can charge you 5000 dollars.
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- #3 of 10
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Re: key stuck [rob142]
by silverisis
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Apr 10, 2009 (8:24 am)
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Replying to: rob142 (Mar 26, 2009 9:55 pm)
I am having the same problem with a 2005 ION, that I just bought used. I first thought that there was some special trick to the anti-theft device that I did not know. But, after a week of driving the car, I can find no rhyme or reason to why I can sometimes get the key out on the 1st try, and sometimes it takes up to 10 minutes. I will probally have to take it back to the dealer to see if it needs a new ignition switch while I am still under the 30 day warranty. Other than this frustraing issue, I am very happy with my ION, and I got it at a great price!
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- #4 of 10
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Re: key stuck [rob142]
by jojo2298
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May 11, 2009 (6:37 am)
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Replying to: rob142 (Mar 26, 2009 9:55 pm)
The same exact thing happened to my wife except, the engine remained RUNNING! The Service Manager had taught me how to SAFELY DISABLE the vehicle without damaging the "Computer Chip": Feel under the Steering Column until you feel a bunch of wires... Follow the wires back upward (toward the STEERING WHEEL)... You will feel a CLIP.... PRESS the clip to unplug the clip from the column! This is the SAFEST WAY to disable the Vehicle, without DAMAGE to the computer Board! This WILL NOT remove YOUR key from the ignition (As Saturn had to install a new ignition System, to which our warranty had covered this) however, you will not damage the computer Board! When you are ready to bring the Vehicle in for Service, just plug this clip back into the column, start the Vehicle, and be on your way!... I hope this will help someone if this ever happens! ... ALSO (another "tip" from the Service Manager), "HAVE A MINIMUM NUMBER OF KEYS ON YOUR KEY RING"... because the weight of the keyring will SLOWLY deteriorate Your Ignition Switch!! RESPECTFULLY, "JO JO"
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- #5 of 10
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Re: key stuck [rob142]
by ladyintx
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Aug 10, 2009 (2:21 pm)
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Replying to: rob142 (Mar 26, 2009 9:55 pm)
I had the same problems and apparently it is a part called the BTSI switch or module. I just got it out of the dealership today and it works fine. Previously they had done work on the ignition switch which was not the answer. New keys were not the answer. BTSI seems to be the cure.
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- #6 of 10
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Re: key stuck [rob142]
by mimi2694
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Sep 01, 2009 (11:36 am)
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Replying to: rob142 (Mar 26, 2009 9:55 pm)
I have an 06 Saturn Ion which has had the same problem for quite some time. The dealer has replaced the ignition and computer but the problem occurs, each time a little worse. I took it in today and will have to bring it back for an ignition solenoid. I explained in addition to the key not being able to be removed, while I'm driving, I'm hearing a locking noise, but the locks aren't opening or closing. What is unnerving is my car revs a little or declines in speed while this is happening. I explained this to the svc. mgr. but I got the impression he wasn't listening. Also, my svc engine light comes on and goes off with a code so quickly, that I miss it. Any suggestions?
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- #7 of 10
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Stuck Key
by arlowe
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Sep 25, 2009 (6:54 am)
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I have a 2007 Saturn Ion that I purchased in early August. It is now back at the dealer for the SECOND TIME because without warning, the key will not disengage from the ignition. The car CANNOT be turned off. My car is a 5speed and they just have me stall it. This last time it was stalled in my driveway overnight and of course in the morning the battery was dead (told the svc. mgr. that would happen). The first time they replace the ignition switch and cut a new key.
I really love the car, and previously drove an SL-1 for more than 13 years. But this key situation is really disturbing to me. Any suggestions?
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- #8 of 10
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Re: Stuck Key [arlowe]
by mimi2694
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Sep 26, 2009 (5:04 am)
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Replying to: arlowe (Sep 25, 2009 6:54 am)
Saturn replaced the shift solenoid, which finally solved my problem. I have an automatic transmission, though.
Prior to that, they replaced the ignition and "the computer" although I'm not sure which "computer" they were referring to. I don't beleive I have that service receipt.
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- #9 of 10
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Re: Stuck Key [mimi2694]
by silverisis
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Sep 27, 2009 (2:00 pm)
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Replying to: mimi2694 (Sep 26, 2009 5:04 am)
I have basically just coped with the situation. I can remove the key eventually, it just takes a few tries and sitting in my car longer than I want to which is an inconvenience. Since it does not affect the overall operation of the car, I really don't want to pay the dealership to do a bunch of explorative surgery that may never fix the problem. At least that is my impression of what other people have gone through. I am thinking of installing a remote egnition switch to bypass the problem entirely. Has anyone else tried this?
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- #10 of 10
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Stuck key in 2006 Ion
by mimi2694
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Sep 27, 2009 (2:54 pm)
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Saturn had already done the "exploratory surgery" on mine, replacing the ignition switch itself, some sort of computer. They finally narrowed it down the shift solenoid when I told them if I played with the key and the gear shift, taking it out of park and putting it back into park, sometimes that would work. So far the shift solenoid has been the answer and my key comes out with no problem. It seems over time, the symptoms changed or got worse so they could finally pinpoint the problem. I never took the car in specifically for this problem until the last visit when it just became intolerable and since my car is still under the extended warranty, might as well have them fix it.
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