1998 Grand Prix - key stuck in iginition and shifter will not move out of park.

[j_natale]

Hi!

I have a 1998 Grand Prix. The key will not come out of the ignition and the shifter when I start the car will not move out of park. Someone told me about switches on the steering column and somewhere on the shifter.

What do I have to do to get the problem fixed? I took it to a garage and they told me that they could not fix it. I have to take it to a dealership to get repaired.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jim

[email protected]

[sonhasteg]

This is a common problem with the GP...instead of explaining it, it would be easier if you go to the ClubGP forums at http://www.gp-owners.com/ and search for "key stuck" that will give you all the info you need.

In the meantime you can get your key out by moving your steering wheel to the highest position and reaching into the steering column and pushing a button that's just under the ignition switch.

Alternately, there is a small plastic piece under the column that can be removed which will leave a small hole. If you push something thin into that hole you can also push that same button that way.

If you want to see what's going on, the bottom piece on the steering column cover comes off if you remove the torx screws on the bottom. After you get that off the button and the mechanism that activates it will be pretty obvious. A lot of people have permenantly fixed that button in the up position by using bailing wire, duct tape, or wire ties...kinda cheesy, but it works and is cheap.

I've heard the fix is pretty much a parts swap and hope. Fixes have included the ignition switch, the safety neutral (park) switch, and the wiring between the two and/or the connectors. I understand the dealer will just go in and replace all of these.

Hope you get it fixed soon.

[alans98t]

I was getting 13v at the lead into the solenoid attached to the switch. Cost $45 to change it and the new one didn't work. Jumpered the old one on the battery and it works. Tore the column apart, jumpered the connector at the shifter and it works. Looks like the black box imbedded in the shifter isn't sending letting current through.
Does this make sense? Do I have the change the shifter or leave it jimmy rigged?
PS First time posting

[richtazz]

there is a park interlock switch that will not allow the key to come out or the trans to come out of park if it is bad. I would start there.

[simpleman2]

My key was stuck in the 2002 Grand Prix. The problem was the ignition swith would not release the key. I used the fix posted by someone else by doing the following:
- remove bottom plastic cover from steering column.
- installed a small hose clamp around the iginition swith wiring (white plastic) to prevent the metal piece from dropping down and locking the key in the ignition.
- turn the clamp so the screwdriver adjustment piece blocks the pin from dropping down. This might not be "safe" but until I replace the ignition switch, it resolves the issue.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by simpleman2

My key was stuck in the 2002 Grand Prix. The problem was the ignition swith would not release the key. I used the fix posted by someone else by doing the following:
- remove bottom plastic cover from steering column.
- installed a small hose clamp around the iginition swith wiring (white plastic) to prevent the metal piece from dropping down and locking the key in the ignition.
- turn the clamp so the screwdriver adjustment piece blocks the pin from dropping down. This might not be "safe" but until I replace the ignition switch, it resolves the issue.

Welcome to AF.

Thanks for your input which is just one possible temporary solution since it does not really resolve the issue properly. However, please check the date and do not resurrect old threads. Thread closed.