Key cylinder problem... maybe??? Please help!

[Canadiangirl1983]

Hey all,

I have a 96 Grand Am SE, 2.4L TwinCam with no electrical add-ons (manual windows, no cd etc.)

Anyways, my problem is that the car will basically not shut off! The key will not turn any farther back than position C - or as the manual describes the OFF position. In this position, I'm not sure if it's normal or not, I have all interior lights, dashboard displays as well as door chimes. The problem then is that I cannot truly turn the car "off" - or go to the B or LOCK position.

In reading previous posts I noticed that numerous people had issues with with the key getting stuck - but my problem is is that the key CAN and DOES COME OUT in this C position, but the car isn't "off".

I spent about an hour trying to turn the car "off" by starting it, driving in and out of the driveway, shifting from park to neutral, from park to reverse, park to drive and every other combination, the car will still not turn off. I even tried re-inserting 3 different keys (Two were copies made when we bought the car used in 2000, and one is the original)

To save the battery (because I forsee this being an expensive problem to correct and I don't want to shell out more than i absolutely have to) we disconnected the battery so that the interior lights/display would shut off.

The car is just sitting in the driveway now and I have no idea what to do. We live in a small town, so there isn't much choice in mechanics, and I would like to sound knowledgable about the problem so I'm not overcharged.... overcharged like the $948 dollars I had to pay for the replacement of a water pump...

HELP! I've been doing a bit of research here on the net, and am curious on what really is the problem - is it the key cylinder, or something they call the shifter interlock. It seems as though the key can be removed when the car is any gear (even in drive) so I know something isn't quite right....

Oh, I don't know if it's related (I am a female here talking, and I come from a very un-automobile related background - and hey, typical but the only things I know how to really do comfortably are add gas, oil, and windshild fluid) but the ignition switch was supposedly replaced 2 years ago (by the supposedly reputable dealer who charged so much for the water pump - so who knows if it was done correctly or not!)

Any help you all can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Canadiangirl1983

[Hoags]

Canadiangirl, From what you are describing I would have to agree with your conclusion that there is a problem with the key cylinder. Aside from not completely shutting off the fact that the key can be removed when the car is in drive is a big factor in saying that the cylinder is junk. The key should only come out in the full off position.
You have indicated that you have researched the net...in doing so you should have or will be able to find a price for the cylinder parts, this should help when you go to have the car repaired, If they quote you some outrageous price for the parts, ask them about a "labor only" price (if you pring the parts) and then get your parts on line. Unfortunately when it comes to the labor prices you are going to have to shop around to get the best value, I say value instead of price because in the world of auto mechanics, unfortunately young single girls and older widowed ladies get taken advantage of. So look around for a reputable garage, ask friends and co-workers, the least expensive may not be the best to use, if you have to spend a few more $'s to get a better quality of work it may make the extra cash spent an execellent investment.
You can always get some price quotes and ask us here on the forum if you are getting ripped off.

I hope I have been able to help. good luck.
Adn by the way, Welcome to the Forum, We will help to answer any questions you have, so do not hesitate to ask, as far as we are concerned there are no silly questions, and we like to help people like yourself so you don't get ripped off.

Good luck,
Dan

[Knifeblade]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800e5d01.jsp


This may deal with more than you can do, but I agree with Hoag's that the likely culprit is the cylinder. If the key can be pulled from any position, the cylinder is not contacting fully the OFF position. Surf the link, and look around, there is a way to get parts quotes from this site. At least it will give you some idea of parts-costs. And, yes, while the water pump is a real pain to remove and install, it shouldn't have run you more than around $500 for the new pump and remove/rplace.

[Canadiangirl1983]

I just want to thank you for your help... knowing even a little bit really helped.

We called up a salvage yard here in town, hoping that maybe buying a replacement/used cylinder would be much cheaper than a new one, and the gentleman working told us that the local locksmith was able to help out his mother when her grand-am developed the same problem. So we called up the locksmith, who 15 minutes later was at our doorstep, he removed the cylinder, took it back to his shop and re-set (or re-built) the tumblers. They were off or had shifted out of position preventing the key from turning all the way back. He was also quite distressed when he saw the state of the keys I was using. They were extremely worn I guess... and I was told to never have more than 2 (preferably just one) key on the ring, as the weight of the keys on the tumblers also contributes to the wear.

So the car is fixed... but the best part of it is that on the locksmith's suggestion we called CAA (Like AAA in the states) and low and behold, they will cover up to $100 for lock and key services, which this classify's as. YAY! I'd only ever used their services for the occasional boost or toe to the garage, but today I'm very glad to be a member!

Canadiangirl1983

[Hoags]

I'm glad things worked out for you. I'm sure that Knifeblade as well as myself are happy that we could help you out, that is why we are here on the forum. Like I said in my first post...Don't hesitate to ask any question you may have, some one on the forum will be able to help, with all of the members on the Grand Am forum, someone will have encountered any problem that you may come across.