Miss_P

Hi I have a 1997 Jimmy. Ive had this truck for about 6 months now. The problem I started having with it started about 2 weeks ago when I went to start the car and it wouldnt start, and the key would not come out. I finally got it out after a few hours and and it started with no problem. I did not have this problem until yesterday when I was out and went to try and start it and same thing happen, Once again though I got the key out after trying for a few mins and got home. Later in the evening I was heading out and with my luck the key got stuck in the ignition. This time I got it out a few times but each time I tried to start it it would not start. Nothing in the car would work, the lights, locks and horn are all not working. I have been trying since yesterday with no luck. I had found on the forums that helped me get the key out today. Stick a pen in the little hole under the ignition. I have tried to jump start the truck and that doesnt do anything. The battery and alternator are both new. The battery I just changed a month ago. Any one have any ideas? I cant even take it out of park. I have read some things that say it could be an ignition problem or a theft lock problem? Any feedback would be appreciate, thanks!

Chris Stewart

Here's a very good thread for your problem...

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...gnition+switch

Miss_P

that thread is about stalling . I dont have a problem with stalling. when the car is running, it doesnt stall and I dont have a problem with starting it. the problem is my key is getting stuck in the ignition and I cant start it because of that. maybe I missed it in that thread but that person is having a different kind of problem then me. thanks ne ways

blazes9395

The ignition switch and wirng for it are troublesome on the '97's, which can cause many problems one of which is the key stuck in the ignition problem. Thats what Chris Stewart was referring too. Very common on the '97's for some reason.

Miss_P

Thx, Sorry just very frustrated with all this going on. I cant even get the truck out of park to bring it any where. Any ideas on what I should be looking at or what I can do? I am having a mechanic come by and take a look later. thankfully theres a shop down the street so the mechanic was nice enough to say he will come by and look at it since I cant exactly bring it in at this point. I tried to use jumper cables last night to get it started which didnt do a thank, the truck doesnt even try to start. no crank, nothing.. its just completely dead!!! Its so weird because I wasnt having any problems with it at all. I just had oil and transmission fuel added during the week. could that be anything to do with it?

blazes9395

Are any lights coming on when you turn the key? (dash lights etc) When you turn the key you mention, you can't get it out of park? If thats the case, this is a switch and or switch wiring for sure, assuming of course your battery is good, there is power to things inside the truck, etc.

Miss_P

theres completely nothing working on the truck. Even when you turn the key there are no lights that go on in the dash. the locks dont even work or the horn. I bought the battery brand new about a month ago or so. cant be more then a month old. the alternator is basically brand new too. I had tried to jump start it last night but like I mentioned, it was unsuccesful. Even when we tried there was no lights going on at all. Everytime you try and start it now the key gets stuck and we have to pop it out with a pen. How much can this kind of problem cost?

blazes9395

In light of this information, you may other issues first. If you are not getting power to anyhting in the truck, take a look at the battery cables. you have to get a voltmeter and probe the battery cables. Take a look under the underhood fuse block and probe around, see if your getting power to the fuse block. The ignition switch will not hinder power to things such as interior lights, so se what you get with the voltmeter at the cables and go from there.

cbec1999

That ignition solenoid/column harness is the solution to your problem. Period.