cant remove my ignition key

[trumans]

2001 Buick regal LS...I cannot remove my ignition key. After it sets for an hour or so I can remove the key...Doesnt do this all the time...just when I need to park in a public parking lot..any one have any clues...I had a new key made and it does the same thing..Help PLEASE !!! Truman

[BNaylor]

Sounds like you may have a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) problem. The shifter has a park switch and shift interlock solenoid that sends an enable to the key release solenoid in the steering column when in PARK. Or it could be the key release solenoid.

Temporarily you can remove the black cover underneath the ignition switch and stick in an object to release the key.

BTW - Have you spilled any coffee or soda on the center console lately?

[trumans]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Sounds like you may have a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) problem. The shifter has a park switch and shift interlock solenoid that sends an enable to the key release solenoid in the steering column when in PARK. Or it could be the key release solenoid.

Temporarily you can remove the black cover underneath the ignition switch and stick in an object to release the key.

BTW - Have you spilled any coffee or soda on the center console lately?

my wife just reminded me our great grandson spilled a soda drink on the console several month ago..

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by trumans

my wife just reminded me our great grandson spilled a soda drink on the console several month ago..

Yeah that is easy to do with the cupholders there. To resolve the issue the complete shifter assembly will need to be removed from the center console and cleaned up. High possibility the shift interlock solenoid was damaged in the process. BTW - The solenoid is not available separately. If a part is bad the complete shift assembly will need replacement.

[trumans]

problem resolved, thanks a million..same car, different problem...fuel gage stays on full...the fuel gage occasionally drops back to empty and the out of fuel light comes on and the warning bell sounds, even tho it is full of fuel....could that be a sending unit or something similar causing that or maybe even a bad ground conection at the gas tank...always have had electrical problems with this particular car. Plus the digital odometer sometimes works and most of the time doesnt..the light just gets dimmer and dimmer then be off for a couple of weeks then flash back on at times, could hit the reset and it would come back on but lately it has not shown any life at all...keeping up with my miles manually incase it is not logging those miles ..

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by trumans

fuel gage stays on full...the fuel gage occasionally drops back to empty and the out of fuel light comes on and the warning bell sounds, even tho it is full of fuel....could that be a sending unit or something similar causing that or maybe even a bad ground conection at the gas tank...always have had electrical problems with this particular car. Plus the digital odometer sometimes works and most of the time doesnt..the light just gets dimmer and dimmer then be off for a couple of weeks then flash back on at times, could hit the reset and it would come back on but lately it has not shown any life at all...keeping up with my miles manually incase it is not logging those miles ..

The fuel gauge problem is classic fuel level sending unit and float. It is located with the fuel pump pod. It can be accessed by removing the access cover located behind the rear passenger seat in the trunk. Just remove the trunk carpeting and sound deadening material and you'll see it. Cover has 7 10mm nuts. There are 2 electrical connectors and 3 fuel/evaporative emissions lines. Pod is secured by a big C-Clip retainer that must be removed. Fuel pod will remove by pulling up and rocking side to side and then up. You can replace the sending unit itself ($90) or the complete fuel pump assembly which is expensive around $300.

Here is a pic of the one I changed out on our '99 Regal LS. It is the part with the float:



The odometer problem sounds like the Instrument Panel (IP) may need replacing. You can remove the IP and check the connectors on the back.