00 Blazer won't start...nothing, key stuck???

TDQ · #1 05-21-2006, 11:00 PM

Drove the Blazer yesterday...No problem, Went out this morning...hit the unlock on the pad, door unlocked, got in it, went to start it, when the key hit the start position it made a chime and that was that. No nothing...Now it won't even disengage the key. Will a dead battery make this happen...I don't have time to fool with it till Wednesday....Any help will be appreciated!!!

OverBoardProject · #2 05-21-2006, 11:40 PM

Seized lock cylinder, caused by never oiling it.
They last longer when you dip the key in sewing machine oil from time to time and insert it into the cylinder (only 2 or 3 times a year is enough)

You'll probably have to remove the cylinder now and either replace it or free it up. You might want to disconect the - battery terminal and hook up the chargers

TDQ · #3 05-22-2006, 08:11 PM

Who said anything about a seized cyl.???? "When the key hit the start position" ...seems the cyl. was not locked if it could move to the start position. Hey, OverBoardProject...Maybe you shoud READ before posting dumb comments!!
Anyway, for anyone interested...Called the dealer, they said most likely the battery,...There's a solenoid in the ignition switch that if it's getting no juice will prevent the key from being turned completely back to the off position, therefore not able to remove it. Popped the hood and put a socket on the battery terminal and noticed the light inside the hood came....Hmmmm...Tried to start it, fired up no problem. Here the terminal was slightly loose and I mean slight enough that you'd think it make no difference what-so-ever.
So there's the answer...No battery and you try to start it, you're not getting your key back....at least in a 2000 Blazer anyway.

OverBoardProject · #4 05-22-2006, 08:14 PM

TDQ, I'll be suprised if you EVER help as many people as I do on this board!

If you've got attatude like that you can shove it

technaut · #5 05-24-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDQ

Who said anything about a seized cyl.???? "When the key hit the start position" ...seems the cyl. was not locked if it could move to the start position. Hey, OverBoardProject...Maybe you shoud READ before posting dumb comments!!
Anyway, for anyone interested...Called the dealer, they said most likely the battery,...There's a solenoid in the ignition switch that if it's getting no juice will prevent the key from being turned completely back to the off position, therefore not able to remove it. Popped the hood and put a socket on the battery terminal and noticed the light inside the hood came....Hmmmm...Tried to start it, fired up no problem. Here the terminal was slightly loose and I mean slight enough that you'd think it make no difference what-so-ever.
So there's the answer...No battery and you try to start it, you're not getting your key back....at least in a 2000 Blazer anyway.

The dealer's right on here. As was another poster:

Originally Posted by bowtie_pasta
Guys I figured this out last night!

I ended up pulling the little plug/cover off the bottom of the column and pushing the release button. It worked and the key released like normal. All this got me thinking...what and why is this switch not releasing normally? I wanted to see more. Without pulling the steering wheel I removed the two screws from the bottom column cover and popped it down to where I could see inside the column okay with a flash light. *Note, you won't be able to remove the bottom cover without removing the wheel or the knee bolster.*

This allowed me to see the release mechanism which is nothing more than a solenoid. This solenoid is activated when you press the thumb button on the shifter. It locks the key in place and unlocks it in park. I noticed it only working sometimes when pressing the button. I wiggled the wires going to the switch and kept testing. After that I could NOT get it to freeze up again which was great! It almost seemed like the button was just hanging up. At any rate I must have tested it 100 times and it still worked flawlessly. I went ahead and sprayed a dab of silicone spray onto the button of the end of the solenoid hoping if it was just a lubrication issue this would keep it working smoothly. *Note if you are testing this with the key all the way forward in the ON position you will have to press the brake before the shift lever button sends current to the soleniod.*

So if you are putting your truck into park the instant you release the shift thumb button you should hear a click from the column. If not, they soleniod is not releasing.

This all makes sense because why else would Chevy put access to a button on the bottom of the column to release the key? Answer: Just in case you try to start your truck with a dead battery. If the battery is dead the soleniod will not release.

At any rate I'm thrilled with my progress and looks like the shop can eat my shorts!

Hope this helps those out with the same trouble. Ask questions if you have any.

Roland

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I've never heard of a lock cylinder seizing. A car, house, anything...

BlazinMlew · #6 05-25-2006, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technaut

The dealer's right on here. As was another poster:

Originally Posted by bowtie_pasta
Guys I figured this out last night!

I ended up pulling the little plug/cover off the bottom of the column and pushing the release button. It worked and the key released like normal. All this got me thinking...what and why is this switch not releasing normally? I wanted to see more. Without pulling the steering wheel I removed the two screws from the bottom column cover and popped it down to where I could see inside the column okay with a flash light. *Note, you won't be able to remove the bottom cover without removing the wheel or the knee bolster.*

This allowed me to see the release mechanism which is nothing more than a solenoid. This solenoid is activated when you press the thumb button on the shifter. It locks the key in place and unlocks it in park. I noticed it only working sometimes when pressing the button. I wiggled the wires going to the switch and kept testing. After that I could NOT get it to freeze up again which was great! It almost seemed like the button was just hanging up. At any rate I must have tested it 100 times and it still worked flawlessly. I went ahead and sprayed a dab of silicone spray onto the button of the end of the solenoid hoping if it was just a lubrication issue this would keep it working smoothly. *Note if you are testing this with the key all the way forward in the ON position you will have to press the brake before the shift lever button sends current to the soleniod.*

So if you are putting your truck into park the instant you release the shift thumb button you should hear a click from the column. If not, they soleniod is not releasing.

This all makes sense because why else would Chevy put access to a button on the bottom of the column to release the key? Answer: Just in case you try to start your truck with a dead battery. If the battery is dead the soleniod will not release.

At any rate I'm thrilled with my progress and looks like the shop can eat my shorts!

Hope this helps those out with the same trouble. Ask questions if you have any.

Roland

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've never heard of a lock cylinder seizing. A car, house, anything...

I dont have the slightest clue what this is all about. I have a 2000 Blazer and my battery has died on more than one occasion (thanks in part to running the amp with the acc. and not starting it often) and this NEVER happened. I was always able to get my key out.

Totally confused about that.

technaut · #7 05-25-2006, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazinMlew

I dont have the slightest clue what this is all about. I have a 2000 Blazer and my battery has died on more than one occasion (thanks in part to running the amp with the acc. and not starting it often) and this NEVER happened. I was always able to get my key out.

Totally confused about that.

turn the key to 'ON', disconnect the battery, and the key will stay in the 'ON' position. The degree of 'dead battery' does make a difference.

OverBoardProject · #8 05-25-2006, 03:07 AM

The theives must like that feature. It's easy to pul the headlight switch, and carry a spare battery.

BlazinMlew · #9 05-25-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technaut

turn the key to 'ON', disconnect the battery, and the key will stay in the 'ON' position. The degree of 'dead battery' does make a difference.

Again like I said my battery was completely dead. No clicks no attempts to turn , not even the glimmer of hope for lights to come on. And still got my key back. Must be defective.

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