won't let me turn the key

[SLAGHDOG]

When my Grand Am ignition lockup, I couldn't turn the ignition at all. My Grand Am was not doing exactly like your ignition but similar.

It was as if I had the wrong key in it. I had to play with for 5-10 min. and then it would mysteriously work as if nothing was wrong.So my

It would go for a long time working (days - weeks) as normal and when you least expect it, it would lock up again, usually when you are away from home.

I went to the dealer to get the Pontiac ignition after the cheap aftermarket ignition didn't work, and he told me about this switch on the gear selector that could go bad. (located on the gear selector bracket under the center counsel).

On my Grand Am there is an square access cover on the passengers side of the gear selector counsel, about the size of a quarter. If you pop of this cover and push the button behind the cover, it lets you shift the car out of park without having the key in the ignition ( used for towing I guess, so you can lock the steering with the car in neutral while towing).

I think that is the switch, it in that area under the counsel. It tells the ignition when the car is park or not in gear. It is the same as if you had the car in Drive and tried to remove the key, it wont let you. Except it thinks its in gear and wont let you turn the key on.

But the first thing to do is try the ignition, it will be the cheapest first try. When you go to the dealer to get the switch, they will have to sell you the whole gear selector at 100's of dollars. I found one in the salvage yard and got lucky. Its hasn't had a problem for at least 8 months now.

Just remember, my car was a Grand Am 1998, I don't know what year your car is and if the Cavalier has the same setup.

[Einsfluger]

your key may be in backwards... i have an 01 and for some reason my key works in only one direction. couldnt tell u why but thats life. mark one side and try both ways.. see what works

[CavyCorona]

On my 98 it was that the button on the shifter was barely being pressed by a new shifter cover it also might be sticking it wont let you turn into the third spot if its pressed the slightest bit I hate some safety precautions!

[cavzilla_z24]

i have a similiar problem i can turn my engine over w/ my key if its turned one way but if its flipped the other way i cant turn anything w/ it it just locks its also the same way on my doors and on my trunk wtf? and yes its the original gm key from the dealer i dont get it is there anything i can do to fix it?

[deadBird]

Nah, I even tried a new key I never used. It's the ignition lock cylinder itself. I found this out when my buddy decided to rip the steering column apart. He actually started the car with the ignition switch, but of course it croaked from the theft system. Now I just need get GM to get it coded or keyed. I wonder how that'll go...

[deadBird]

Ok, where does the ignition lock cylinder wire run to? The PCM?

[cavzilla_z24]

i actually had the exact same problem w/ my 97 z24 today i could not turn the key no matter what i did so out of frustration i wipped out my pocket knife and jammed it into the key hole in my transmission and sure enough my key finally turned and she cranked right up so i mean either somthing was just stuck or there was an object lodged in there who knows but thats how i avoided shooting my car hope it works for you to

[cavzilla_z24]

i actually had the exact same problem w/ my 97 z24 today i could not turn the key no matter what i did so out of frustration i wipped out my pocket knife and jammed it into the key hole in my transmission and sure enough my key finally turned and she cranked right up so i mean either somthing was just stuck or there was an object lodged in there who knows but thats how i avoided shooting my car hope it works for you to

[deadBird]

Well I ordered a new ignition lock cylinder. $115 shipped

I guess what happens is over time dirt... dust and metal shavings from worn out keys get in there and gum up the tiny pins stuff. Apparently cleaning isn't much of an option either.

I was starting my car there for a while with a screw driver, but that just stopped working today for some reason. Right after I changed my damn oil too.... I found that turning the key & ignition switch at the same time yielded some results.

[deadBird]

I know someone has a slight idea... where does the ignition lock cylinder electrical connector run to so I can switch it out!?

[Chevy4life1985]

That Sucks lol. My buddy had the same problem. He told me that his mechanic said that the ignition pin was broken. Everytime he got it to start it was cuz the thing moved back into place. I dont know much about that problem just tellin you what my friend told me. Sorry i have no good advice for u

[deadBird]

Tore apart the dash. The ignition lock cylinder is on top of the instrument cluster! Bah!

After that I found a post somewhere on here about re-learning the new lock cylinder. Leave the key in the run position until the theft light stops blinking. (Note: Some newer cars have radio re-activation)