2000 GTP Key Stuck in Ignition Please Help!

[Red Tipps]

so will someone be plane and tell us how to always get the key out of the tumbler, please

Use the manual key release under the steering column if it is consistantly sticking...or get a new lock/tumbler assy before it gets worse

BNaylor: I was under the understanding that the off postion was the lock postion...makes sense now. Thanks for that

tblake: looks like from the scematic the neutral/park switch ties into the starting system letting you start the car in park or neutral...but has nothing to do with taking the key out of the ignition in neutral...Im with you for bypassing this whole system. Its getting old...at least to can still start your car and drive it. Ive been out for a week now...I miss it. Keep an eye on it tho if it starts to get worse might want to look at getting a new lock cylinder?

[tblake]

Originally Posted by fredpd

so r u saying that there is a way to turn off or pull a fuse so we can just turn the key off and get it out anyway, anytime we want to?

Where there's a will, there's a way....

Probably not as simple as pulling a fuse, but maybe by removing the removing the park lock actuator.

Btw to everyone, when I arrived at work this afternoon, my key was stuck, so I turned it forward, then something clicked and then I was able to turn it all the way back and remove it.

I had a spare set with me, so I decided to use it on the way home. So far its been driven for a few different trips with the spair set (almost 100% unused) and the key hasn't gotten stuck yet.

Got a question....

If I were to replace the key cylinder, how does that work with the existing keys/door locks. I dont want to have to carry two different keys nor do I want to re-do all my locks. Is it possible to have a replacement ignition cylinder keyed to my current keys?

How does this affect the Vats/PK3 system? Just Wondering.....

Anyone know?

[Red Tipps]

I believe if you change the lock cylinder your keys will have to be cut for that cylinder...and hate to say it but you will have to carry a key for the doors and one for the ignition...BUT if your new spare key is working then you can go to the dealership and have another keyed there. They will look at your VIN to get it keyed to your ignition.

[tblake]

Thats what I thought. Thank you. I'm going to drive with my 2nd set for a week and see what happens.

My 1st set is 8 years old and has been use ever since, maybe he teeth are just getting wore down.

Thanks Red_Tipps!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Red Tipps

I believe if you change the lock cylinder your keys will have to be cut for that cylinder...and hate to say it but you will have to carry a key for the doors and one for the ignition.

IMO which is really no biggy. If you have or had a GM car with Passkey 2 you have two keys anyways. One for the ignition and one for the doors and trunk versus the one for Passkey 3 systems.

On Passkey 3 and crappy Passlock systems the transponder is located in the key. Whereas Passkey 2 had the resistor pellet which was a lot easier to DIY relearn and program.

[Red Tipps]

Well the car went off on the tow truck this morning... Destination: Pontiac Dealer. Hopefully I should know something by the end of this week about my ignition.

Ill keep ya all posted

tblake: find out anything new with your ignition issue or is the spare key still working?

[tblake]

Originally Posted by Red Tipps

tblake: find out anything new with your ignition issue or is the spare key still working?

Yeah, unfortunatly my spair key got stuck today also. Same way. To get it to release I turned the ignitio back on and pushed the gear shift forward, then I heard a "click" and was able to turn it off and take it out.

Any ideas what my problem is guys? Do I have to take apart the center console? How do I do that?

[srlash]

Originally Posted by tblake

Guys Another one... Saw Red Tipps recent post, but my problem is a little different....

Pulled into my driveway today, and when I went to turn the car off, the key turned back, but not all the way and wouldnt come out.

I tried in neutral, park, turning the wheel, tilting the wheel... Nothing.

I did however figure out that if I repeatidly turn the ignition on/off/on/off/on over and over again, the key will finally turn all the way back and release.

I dont have time to mess with it today, and probably wont untill about friday for that matter.

I have attached a copy of the Shift Interlock Circuit as my problem seems electrical. I was hoping maybe someone who is good at reading schematics and has dealt with this problem before can lead me in the right direction.

Thanks Guys!



Full Sized Image Can be downloaded here for anyone who needs this info in the future.

Hello,

I may be able to help, I had the identical problem that you have. I was not
able to remove the key from the ignition with the shifter in park. The problem
most likely is a wire that has pulled loose from the BTSI solenoid connector.
The wiring harness which runs below the the shifter was not originally long
enough and when moving the shifter from park to drive etc puts a strain on
the wires which connect to the BTSI solenoid. The condition you describe
is most likely a wire that has been pulled out of the connector for the BTSI
solenoid and causing your intermittent condition of not being able to remove
the key from the ignition. Several of my friends had the same problem you
are experiencing.

Hope This Helps

Steve

[Red Tipps]

Sounds like you may need to adjust your shifting linkage. take your center console out so you can get at it and see what it is doing in there. You should see the plunger retract on the solenoid when you hit park. I believe that is the "click" you hear. Tear out the console and take a look in there man.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Red Tipps

Tear out the console and take a look in there man.

Yeah I agree. Before going too far on an actual fault one of the issues since the cup holders are there is a possible prior spilling of coffee or soda so it just needs a good cleaning out and lube with silicone spray lube.

[srlash]

Originally Posted by Red Tipps

Sounds like you may need to adjust your shifting linkage. take your center console out so you can get at it and see what it is doing in there. You should see the plunger retract on the solenoid when you hit park. I believe that is the "click" you hear. Tear out the console and take a look in there man.

Sir,

There is no adjustment for the BTSI solenoid. The only adjustment
for the shifter cable is for the park/neutral switch which is located
on the transmission. The adjusment for the park/neutral switch is
correct if the car can only be started in park or neutral. Since tblake
did not mention he had a problem with this I assume that it is ok.
If you remove the top piece of the console which will also remove the
cup holders as this is all one piece you will see what I am talking about.
The BTSI solenoid is actaully attached to the shifter which moves every
time you move the console shifter to change from park to drive... etc.
Very poor design, as this puts stress on the wires which hook up to the
BTSI solenoid. This constant strain on the connecter at the BTSI will
eventually pull a wire out of the connector leading to intemittent issues
of not being able to remove the key when in park. I have had to repair
this problem not once but twice now on my car. My friend had the same
problem where a wire backed out of the connector. Two possible solutions,
get a new wire harness for approx. 50-60 dollars or do like I did and remove
the harness and splice some wire in place of where the wire broke off. The
top piece of the console only takes about 10 minutes to remove the first
time you do it. You start just aft of the cupholders and just to the side of
where the the armrest latches into the console., There will be a small square
hole which is your reference point. Using a flat bladed screwdriver about a
inch to either side of the square hole gently pry up. The console cover is
then slowly removed from aft to fwd. The shifter needs to be in neutral to
remove the cover. There is about 4 clips which hold the assy. in place.

Good Luck,

Steve

[Red Tipps]

There is no adjustment for the BTSI solenoid. The only adjustment
for the shifter cable is for the park/neutral switch which is located
on the transmission.

-Understood, and never stated to adjust the solenoid...nor can you. There is however an adjustment for the shifter correct? On the back side of the shifter you have a peice of spring steel bolted to the shifter to give you all your detents for P R N...ect. If that is out of adjustment(hence him having to jiggle the shifter to get it into "park") then the solenoid may not be closing. The transmission is in park but to the solenoid it is still out of the park position. It could aslo be sticky like BNaylor stated...or a wire loose as stated by yourself...It would be easier to diagnose once he gets the cover off to see whats going on in there.

[tblake]

Hey guys, Thanks for all the help. I am going to make time on thursday to open it up take a look.

I'll let you know what I find out. I just hope I dont adjust something the wrong way and mess it all up.

Again Thanks!

[srlash]

It would be easier to diagnose once he gets the cover off to see whats going on in there.

I Agree, let him get in there and see what is going on.
LOL tblake !!!

Steve

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by tblake

Hey guys, Thanks for all the help. I am going to make time on thursday to open it up take a look.

I'll let you know what I find out. I just hope I dont adjust something the wrong way and mess it all up.

Again Thanks!

Mine is doing the same thing, so when you figure yours out, come and fix mine.