1999 Grand Prix - Can't remove key - shift lock question

[BMR777]

Hello,

I'm having a problem with my 1999 Grand Prix where when I turn off the car sometimes I cannot remove the key from the ignition. It will go to the off position, but won't go to the lock position to allow me to remove the key.

I can get the key out by using the shift lock override under the steering column and poking it with a screwdriver.

From looking online, I can see that it could be any number of things, but one solution seems like it may be the most likely, and that is that there might be some wires that unlock the key and these may be going bad causing the problem to occur only intermittently.

My question is, until I can get this fixed, is it ok to use the shift lock override to remove my key in the cases where it gets stuck? Will using this override for the short / possibly long term cause any problems?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Stealthee]

You need to make sure the car is going all the way into park.

[Tech II]

The problem I usually find, is one or more of the wires going to the BTSI solenoid, in the shifter, has broken due to flexing....usually breaks close to the harness connector....

No harm doing what you are doing.....

[BMR777]

Originally Posted by Tech II

The problem I usually find, is one or more of the wires going to the BTSI solenoid, in the shifter, has broken due to flexing....usually breaks close to the harness connector....

No harm doing what you are doing.....

Thank you for your reply!

[olopezm]

I think a bad ignition switch could be the problem. Do you have any electrical problem like the center console lights don't work, the A/C fan works only on the highest setting, anything similar?

Ignition switches are a common problem in those years.

Oscar.

[BMR777]

Originally Posted by olopezm

I think a bad ignition switch could be the problem. Do you have any electrical problem like the center console lights don't work, the A/C fan works only on the highest setting, anything similar?

Ignition switches are a common problem in those years.

Oscar.

No signs of an elecrical problem. All of the lights on the console work fine and no problems with the A/C.

[olopezm]

In that case it sounds like you might have a problem with the "key release solenoid"; try searching for those terms and you will see several posts about it. Pay special attention to the threads started by either user tblake or wyllie.

Oscar.

[Tech II]

As I said before, you have to temove the shifter handle, and then the top of the console....look at the wire harness to the BTSI....give a slight tug on each wire, can almost guarantee, one or more will break off, if not already broken....

[himntnc0917]

I had the same thing happen randomly, but very frequently for a while. What worked for me: on the underside of the steering column, off to the right slightly, there is a small hole. If you put your finger in, you will feel a small metal pin. Push that towards the front of the car; it doesn't push far. My key rarely gets stuck now, but pushing that little pin works for me every time when it does.

[gtpjay]

I took top off of console & sprayed shifter shaft & everything else that looks like it moves with WD40. It has worked ever since.

[steve1954]

I have a 1998 Grand Prix and for the last two years have been releasing the key by poking a stick into the hole under the ignition key. The dealer said that i needed to replace the shifter for $450 plus labor. One of the threads said to spray WD40 into the shift handle at the shifter button in the rear. I did this and the problem was solved.