Grand Prix Stuck Key in on position

[HiTekHick]

2000 GTP. This is a true hick's solution to this particular problem.

Basically, it acts like the car is in gear, all lights are off, except for the shifter light in the dash, which shows it in Park. I can start the car, but the key rotation stops in the spot where if the car was in gear, the key wouldn't turn any more to pull it out.

After a 30-minute internet search, I found that there is a little round cover on the bottom of the steering column right under the key. Take that off and stick at least a 3-4" pen, McDonald's soda straw, or whatever is handy into the hole and the key can rotate to the extract position.

What I did next, after finding that people are saying the repair costs them about $400, was cut a straw down to size and put it on the pole that the round cover has and inserted it into the steering column again, I had to cut it again one more time to make it the right length.

So now I'm operating in the bypass mode for this safety device. I had to ponder a bit to figure out what it was supposed to be safe for/from. Basically, it is supposed to keep you from removing the key while the car is moving so that the steering wheel doesn't lock.

Cost = A straw I was going to throw away anyway...

Idea to make this a more perminant and longer lasting solution. Fill the open end of the straw up with calk or glue, trying to get as much of the air out as possible with a toothpick or thin wire like a paperclip, and let it cure a couple of days before reinserting it.

[98gpking]

Originally Posted by HiTekHick

2000 GTP. This is a true hick's solution to this particular problem.

Basically, it acts like the car is in gear, all lights are off, except for the shifter light in the dash, which shows it in Park. I can start the car, but the key rotation stops in the spot where if the car was in gear, the key wouldn't turn any more to pull it out.

After a 30-minute internet search, I found that there is a little round cover on the bottom of the steering column right under the key. Take that off and stick at least a 3-4" pen, McDonald's soda straw, or whatever is handy into the hole and the key can rotate to the extract position.

What I did next, after finding that people are saying the repair costs them about $400, was cut a straw down to size and put it on the pole that the round cover has and inserted it into the steering column again, I had to cut it again one more time to make it the right length.

So now I'm operating in the bypass mode for this safety device. I had to ponder a bit to figure out what it was supposed to be safe for/from. Basically, it is supposed to keep you from removing the key while the car is moving so that the steering wheel doesn't lock.

Cost = A straw I was going to throw away anyway...

Idea to make this a more perminant and longer lasting solution. Fill the open end of the straw up with calk or glue, trying to get as much of the air out as possible with a toothpick or thin wire like a paperclip, and let it cure a couple of days before reinserting it.

nice man i think i might give this a try theres nothing like being in a hurry and having to mess around with trying to get the key out for up to 5 minutes.

[Venditi]

Hi there
I will give my 2 cents for this .
Try to put like somekind of spacer between your plonger ( solenoid ) and the bottom of your steering casing. In order to do that you need to stick your finger inside of the case of your sterring wheel.

It will prevent your plonger to engange and lock your steering wheels.