Key stuck ignition switch

[SNKPWR]

FWIW, my key was sticking when i bought the car in January, dealer fixed it under their "30 day warranty", they told me they had to replace the shifter assembly because of a faulty solenoid on it...

[raffiican]

Originally Posted by SNKPWR

FWIW, my key was sticking when i bought the car in January, dealer fixed it under their "30 day warranty", they told me they had to replace the shifter assembly because of a faulty solenoid on it...

Hey there, I am glad you weighed in. There are a lot of faulty shift solenoids out there also (particularly on Grand AM models, but others as well). It is interesting that GM started putting 'emergency release' buttons on their columns and consoles only after adding electric BTSI/Park Locks, they never had to on the cable operated systems (albeit sans the BTSI)...they worked too well!

[JDCowboy]

I think your problem stems from a short of some nature. My 98 GTP was having a battery terminal connection problem where the battery had a short in it and every once in a while, when I went to start it the battery would not turn it over. Every time when this happened the key would be stuck in the ignition. When I retightened the battery cable the key would automatically unstick. Good Luck buddy.

[sirul]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

OK guys it is time to play nice! We don't need a measuring stick here to see who has more experience or knowledge. Let's stick to the subject at hand. Raffican apologized to everyone for his comments and I can accept that. So let's put our differences aside and get back to work helping people with their car problems. The point of this forum, as we all know is to offer suggestions on potential ways to repair vehicles. Right or wrong they are just suggestions, sometimes things work sometimes they don't but we all understand that auto repair is like everything else, it is open to interpretation.

You got to love this forum!!! One day I'm fixing my car and saving money from all the "suggestions" posted on this great place, and the next day I'm here eating popcorn and "reading" a boxing fight cheaper than Pay Per View .

By the way, my wife thinks I'm a super mechanic by fixing my car with your help!!! I think Raffican has no idea how many people have benefit from the "suggestions" posted in the forum.

[raffiican]

Originally Posted by sirul

I think Raffican has no idea how many people have benefit from the "suggestions" posted in the forum.

I definitely think people benefit, or I wouldn't post here! I just like to diagnose things rather than throw random guesses at a problem. It was fun 'sparring' with Bob, but we 'made up' and agreed our experience would better serve others on this forum if we got along. Ciao Y'all!!!

[Rachel_88]

wow its amazing how many people have had problems with this,haha i thought my car was just a piece of crap...I still have to figure out how to fix the problem,because as i've read from someone's else's post it works only when it wants too.I had it in a shop for almost two days and it didnt get stuck once on them so they told me there wasnt anything wrong with my car,i've found now that always putting my e brake on after i park and messing with the shifter it usually almost always come's out...

[nfalardo]

I had that happen to my car as well! I took it to a dealership here in town that works on Pontiac's. They replaced the ignition switch, but it's now stuck, AGAIN, and has to be replaced, AGAIN! The only reason you need to take it in is that you will have to have the new key programmed with the security chip, otherwise you won't be able to keep your car on! Trust me, it cost me about $300, but, lifetime warranty!

[wahta_mohawk]

I have a 2002 Grand Prix GT with this same problem... I took it too a friend of mine who figured that the selenoid behind the ignition lock in the steering column was causing the problem. Without actually fixing the problem he found a way to "lock" the selenoid "plunger" in the up position with a zip lock tie. This is only a temp. fix and will allow you to rotate the lock to the off position and remove the key from the lock while the trans is in any gear.
I noticed in a previous post that someone mentioned that if this problem is not fixed "properly" it will cause problems with the transmission. Has anyone else experienced this OR does anyone have any more info on this ?
Thanks in advance !

[biesr17]

problem solved! the key sticking in the ignition is caused by a faulty cylinder in the steering column, if you remove the bottom plastic part of the steering column, just behind the steering wheel, you can see a silver cylinder that is held by a white plastic piece, inside the cylinder is a small gold rod, when the car is in park the rod is retracted in the cylinder, when the car is in gear, it is pushed out so to fix the problem, you can either devise a plan to keep the rod inside the cylinder, personally i used a small hose clamp around the white piece and put the screw portion of the hose clamp in the way of the rod, so i couldn't come out of the cylinder, or you can opt to remove the part entirely, so i've been told. hope this solves your problem, good luck.

[2000GPGTBlue2dr]

I had the same problem with my 2000 GT. Guess what??? Here's what is wrong. I replaced the shifter ($250) thinking it was the solenoid attached to it, and the P R N D 3 2 1 lights on the dash still kept flickering, and the key would not release out of the ignition when I put the car in park... So despite what the so-called pros in these forums say it's not the shifter solenoid.

There's a 10 amp fuse for the BTSI (see your owner's manual) which is the Automatic Transaxle Shifter Module. Believe it or not sometimes the fuse doesn't make contact with the fuse housing causing an intermitent connection that causes the BTSI that controls or signals the solenoid near ignition that the car is in park thus releasing the lock to work "off and on."

So here's what you do.... Take that fuse out clean it off, and then actually bend the 2 pieces of metal sticking out of the fuse in opposite directions so that when you put the fuse back in, it ensures a stronger connection to the pieces of metal inside the fuse housing. I did this and the lights no longer flicker, and everytime I have the car in park I can shift to other gears, and I can release the key out of the ignition.

It's funny sometimes you can't always listen to ASE certified techs in these forums 'cause they steer you into buying extra parts you don't need just like the dealers do.

[wlkjr]

I've been happy with their advice and found it invaluable. Not every problem is the same cure every time.

[BNaylor]

^^^^I agree. Although your fix helped you it may not be the fix for other members and the solution varies among model years. BTSI problems are not just related to the BTSI fuse.

Also, personal attacks on or criticizing other members is unwarranted. We have alot of skilled techs both ASE and non ASE that are very helpful to members in not just Grand Prix but all forums. Therefore, you are putting yourself out on a limb based on your single experience.

I gave you a WARNING in one of the old threads you resurrected. This is your only and final warning. Read and heed!