Can't remove key in Grand Prix

bstrom1953 · #1 08-08-2009, 09:52 AM

My 2002 Grand Prix doesn't want to let me take the key out of the ignition, sometimes. I have to fiddle and play with things like the gear shift (electronic 4-speed,automatic, console, 3.1) or open and close the doors or turn the key on and off, etc. Eventually, it lets me have the key. For a while I thought the problem was the switch in the console gear shifter. If I pressed firmly forward and wiggled when placing in Park, it would then let me have the key.....for a while. Sometimes, I just give up and come back later and will release the key just by turning the ignition on and off. Weird. Thanks for any suggestions. bstrom1953

richtazz · #2 08-08-2009, 10:27 AM

It could be a gummed up BTSI solenoid (it's the piece on the shifter that signals the key release that you're in park) due to beverage spillage or a similar issue, or it could be the first symptoms of the common ignition switch issue these cars have. Have you had any other electrical gremlins (flashing DIC, heater speeds dropping, cluster lights flashing, etc...)?

bstrom1953 · #3 08-08-2009, 11:52 AM

The only other odd thing the car does is that the driver's side air will be delivering cold air with the slider placed in the cold position (slider down) and then it will suddenly change to full heat with the slider still down. I then reach over and move the slider up and down a little , leaving it at the coldest, down position and the air will return to cold. It's like the slider is bad and loses contact and the system goes to full heat. I don't know if this is related to the key problem. It doesn't seem like it is.

What does BTSI mean?

Sounds like I need to remove the console and shifter boot and see what is going on under there.

You mentioned "common ignition switch issue". Is this solved with a new ignition switch? I'm familiar with the '95 Lumina turn signal problem and have worked on that but I've never replaced an ignition switch.

Thanks

BNaylor · #4 08-08-2009, 12:10 PM

BTSI is brake transmission shift interlock. See the old thread below for the possibilities and we have many more so do a search.

Click here

bstrom1953 · #5 08-11-2009, 10:39 PM

Thanks to BNaylor for the link to a thread from June of 2008 where tblake had the exact same problem. So I'm wondering what tblake did to solve the problem. The thread stops short of what the final fix was. Thanks.

tblake · #6 08-12-2009, 12:33 AM

The final fix was to remove the ignition lock solonoid. I know mine it bad. I can even move it back and forth in my hand and about half the time it hangs up.

I intended on replacing it, but hav still not yet got around to it. Its a 50.00 dealer only part.

GTP Version 2.0 · #7 08-12-2009, 12:53 AM

This may sound ghetto guys but I had the same problem and I got tired of having to jam something into the key release, especially in front of other people, so I had to pull a Macgyver. I went to Lowes and picked up a 1/4 grommet and a 1.5 inch keyhole pin. Remove the key release cover and place the pin through the grommet and then insert the keyhole pin/grommet into the key release. It should hold in place just fine by itself. I did this about 6 months ago and no problems since. I didn't want to replace the whole BTSI nor the spend the money to do so.

grandprixgtx00 · #8 08-12-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP Version 2.0

This may sound ghetto guys but I had the same problem and I got tired of having to jam something into the key release, especially in front of other people, so I had to pull a Macgyver. I went to Lowes and picked up a 1/4 grommet and a 1.5 inch keyhole pin. Remove the key release cover and place the pin through the grommet and then insert the keyhole pin/grommet into the key release. It should hold in place just fine by itself. I did this about 6 months ago and no problems since. I didn't want to replace the whole BTSI nor the spend the money to do so.

funny as it seems...I've actually heard that somewhere before.

bstrom1953 · #9 08-12-2009, 12:35 PM

I took the cover off the underside of the steering column and used a piece of duct tape to hold the solenoid cylinder up.
Thanks to all for the great feedback and to GTP Version 2.0 for his idea to override the solenoid. ! ! ! !

bstrom1953 · #10 09-05-2009, 09:33 AM

The duct tape didn't hold. The solenoid gets very warm when the key is left in because it is usually becomes energized after you leave the car with the key still in.. The duct tape came loose so I wedged the solenoid pin in the up position with a sliver of wood from a match stick. The grommet and pin idea is good too....just don't try tape.

tblake · #11 09-05-2009, 09:48 PM

Why not just replace it? Or if you are going to jurry rig a "bypass", might as well just remove it. Its held in place by one small bolt, and a snap.

pbmatthews · #12 09-06-2009, 12:12 PM

I had this happen to me in my 1999 Grand Prix last year. It was a bad battery and NOT an ignition switch.

cadman20 · #13 09-06-2009, 06:33 PM

I had the same problem with my daughters GTP a couple of weeks ago. It was the release button on the shifter knob.

After putting it in park, the button would not release all the way forward, causing the key to stay in the ignition, steering wheel lock not to work and it would shift in and out of gear without stepping on the brake.

The release button was gummed up, I took off the leather shifter knob and used contact cleaner on the button and spring (I sprayed the hell out of everything). It all works like it should now.

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