Theft System,can't get key out.

[iDontPledge2]

So basically my car will turn over,then maybe start,then die.

My theft system has been acting up for about a month or two now but I could still get it to run after a bit of playing with it.

Now it just will not start,and if it does it dies nearly instantly,and the worst part is that I can not get my key out of the ignition,no matter what I seem to do nothing helps,this is very frustraiting as without my car running I can't go anywhere,and I have no money for a mechanic and I really am trying to NOT lose my job right now,not to mention I just signed a new lease so losing my job would be rather bad right now,so if anyone knows anything that might help me fix my car(and is free) it would be greatly appreciated.

And one more thing,my key is in my ignition right now,and I live in an apartment complex,so my car door is unlocked so here is to hoping no one steals my car.

EDIT: 1998 Sunfire SE Coupe 2.2L Automatic.

[JStumpalump150]

sometimes mine will do that and to fix it i have to take the cover off around the back of the steering wheel where you put the key in and move the anti theft wire because it gets pinched and causes the car not to start, it gets pinched easy when you tilt the wheel up then back down. thats just my case and i dont know if its what is going on with you but its worth a shot.

[iDontPledge2]

I don't think that is it but I will give it a try...I reall need this problem fixed though....so please anyone?

[Classicrocjunkie]

There is a Park safety mechanism that runs from the shifter to the key cylinder. When you take it out of park it locks the key in there, the cable might have snapped. It also pushes a locking mechanism into the steering column when the key is out.

[iDontPledge2]

Originally Posted by Classicrocjunkie

There is a Park safety mechanism that runs from the shifter to the key cylinder. When you take it out of park it locks the key in there, the cable might have snapped. It also pushes a locking mechanism into the steering column when the key is out.

Is there a reason why the theft system light would be showing then?

Or is it just both problems at once?

And also how would I fix this,would I have to replace the entire cable?

And if so in order to do that I'm guessing I have the extreme conveniance of ripping out my entire shift area?

[bubba1992]

yeah the car will start fine but the key will not come out what do i do to get it out?

[JStumpalump150]

mine does that too(my car does a lot of dumb stuff) cuz i have an aftermarket shifter and it can easily be bumped too far down on the post and act like the car is being put into gear, when this happens i can shift into gear without using the brake. to solve it i just pull the shifter up until it locks into park and then i can take the key out. try pulling the shifter up.