Help! Solenoid Problem. Key Stuck!

I see that keys getting stuck in the ignition of GP's seems to be a probem. Mine has been since spring! The shop says that the solenoid has failed. I see that cleaning this sometimes helps.
How is that done? I am relatively car illiterate.
Before I spend the $$ for the pontiac shop to fix it (Not Covered!), I want to try some other things.
I Need Ideas Please!!

I have no idea on how to clean it, but this has happened to me before and I can give you a rough estimate on it. They had charged me very close to $500.00 for the repair at the dealer.

Well if that is the case, you can go to autozone and they have a product called Electric Contact cleaner. Place a towel on the floor under the steering column. With the extention that is provided with the cleaner spray inside the ignition key. The presure and solvent fluid would clean some of the debri/dirt that supposedly the selenoid has. Drawback is that dirt does not have many places to go, just relocate. If you are lucky enough it could sit in a place it does not bother you.

I will try to clean under the ignition. But what about the shifter. They said there is a problem with the assembly. Is there any way to take care of that?

Connie, there is a relay on the shifter that depending on the key being on or not will let you shift or not to shift. So clean(if you can) the key and if that works I am pretty sure that the other will work as well

Folks, I have two possible courses of action. Don't actually know why it happens, but a couple of theories.

One, that the solenoid is dirty as previously stated. I like the duct tape method. I guess that would solve the problem all together. And after hearing someone being charged $500 for the part and labor, that will be the ultimate LAST resort. So I hear autozone has the spray to clean it, but the liquid gets in the knooks and crannies and good luck. Tell you what, I have a can of air for use on a computer (used to clean out the keyboard, etc) Get it at any computer store. I just tried it and abracadabra. Whether a coincidence, maybe, maybe not. So I am going to keep that can of air in the car, and if it gets stuck again, oh well, on to second theory.

When I took the plastic off to get to the solenoid, I see the word PassKey staring me in the face. Is this not a car that has a computer chip in it inorder to start the car. If that is the case, than it is a computer problem. Funny story leading up to this one. I ran out of gas, tried to get gas back into the engine after being full (gone are the days of opening up the carb and force feeding it). Then the car would not turn over. Had it towed and turns out ... get this ... I was charged $106 to change a fuse. So lesson learned. If the car doesn't not turn over, CHECK THE FUSES, one of them is in charge of the fuel injectors, and with no fuel injectors ... well you know. SO..... back to the second theory. My key started not coming out after they changed the fuse. Either they sabotaged me, or maybe something is screwed up with the computer and chip in the key to start the car. I would rather it be their mistake and not worry about the can of air, but I will try it nonetheless.

By the way, I have the 40th Anniversary Edition of 2002, and nothing more embarrassing than having someone in a beautiful car and not being able to take the key out. I say ... "Hey, the car doesn't want to let me out, it wants to drive on forever, ha ha".

So what do ya think???

i agree. that computer spray air is pretty power full. should break up all that dust and nasty stuff.then after that id give it a good spray of that cleaner. i dont think the computer would actually the the key in there. wouldnt hurt to give it a try better the paying $500

key release selenoid part number 26046984

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