Ignition keeps getting stuck

[porrsher]

Anyone else having issues with the key turning? I have to sit and play with it to get it to turn. Is there a TSB on this?

[Rimmer]

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr.../tsbsearch.cfm

Try this site?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by porrsher

Anyone else having issues with the key turning? I have to sit and play with it to get it to turn. Is there a TSB on this?

What year and engine?

[MT-2500]

tsb 06-02-35-016C date 7 10 02
certain years?
Pertains to removing lock cylinder and cleaning and lubing it with special gm lubercaint.

[Fresno 126]

Amen, that is sound advise best I have heard in awhile.

If you could awnser a question , I will give a copy of the product when it comes out.

http://www.askdatabase.com/campaigns/?af=41989

[srbetts]

I've had my Equinox for a week and all the sudden the key wont turn in the ignition. It takes about 10 min. sometimes to start the rig after a struggle. Seems the tumbler is stripped. Anyone else having this issue or know of an alternative to sending it back to the dealership with a fight to get it fixed?

[Fresno 126]

Originally Posted by srbetts

I've had my Equinox for a week and all the sudden the key wont turn in the ignition. It takes about 10 min. sometimes to start the rig after a struggle. Seems the tumbler is stripped. Anyone else having this issue or know of an alternative to sending it back to the dealership with a fight to get it fixed?

I am guessing you were unable to disassemble and lube the ingition lock assembly. if your car is under 60,000 miles or 5 years from being new, I can tell you what to say to get it repaired under warranty. If your car is older or above 60,000 miles there is no help less just paying for it to be repaired.Let me know and I will give you my phone number.

As a side note I am do a research project and could really use your input
http://www.askdatabase.com/campaigns/?af=41989

[porrsher]

2006 3.4L.
This situation has gotten worst, I went to the dealership and they took it apart and lubed it for the third time. Well its still doing it. I dont know what else to do, luckily we wont keep this vehicle much longer (fleet).

[jmagerl]

Don't know how to describe it. When my key wont turn, I have to back off the steering wheel. Sometimes the steering wheel puts pressure on the lock mechanism and turning the wheel just a tad to relieve it is all it takes to turn the key

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by jmagerl

Don't know how to describe it. When my key wont turn, I have to back off the steering wheel. Sometimes the steering wheel puts pressure on the lock mechanism and turning the wheel just a tad to relieve it is all it takes to turn the key

That is normal operation.
Park it with wheels straight and wiggle the wheel a little to release pressure on the steering wheel lock up.
Good luck

[tyland66]

We have a 07 Torrent that the key is sticking also. we have taken it to the dealership 3 or 4 times now and hopefully will have it fixed in a week. They were able to duplicate the problem and believe it to be the shifter or a solenoid, it kinda acts like a neutral safety switch which would only let you remove the key while it is park

[seadog95]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

tsb 06-02-35-016C date 7 10 02
certain years?
Pertains to removing lock cylinder and cleaning and lubing it with special gm lubercaint.

and tbs 09-02-35-005 for 07-09 Equinox

[3echo9]

The wife's 2005, 3.4L, 59,000 miles, keeps sticking when she tries to remove the key. We took it to the dealer but they couldn't replicate the problem.

Her stearing column was rubbing and making an awful noise. They greased it up and charged us $100.

[TJS68]

My 2006 Equinox had the same problem with the key not turning/getting stuck. It's the ignition lock and if you go online and type in "Equinox key wont turn" you'll see taht this is a VERY common problem with various years of Equinoxes. Please report this issue to Chevy!! A recall will never be issued if the problem isn't officially reported to Chevy!! You can call Chevy Customer Assistance at 1-800-222-1020 or you can email them here http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/mds/h...r/contactUs.do
Even if you've already had to pay for repairs yourself regarding this issue you should still call and report it to Chevy so the complaint for this issue will be officially logged. If enough people report it and a recall gets issued you will be reimbursed for expenses you've already incurred. I cant say it enough: Please take the time to report it to Chevy! One voice isn't heard - many voices are loud and clear! It's BS that we all have to pay to repair what is clearly a widespread Equinox problem and clearly a defect in manufacturing!!!! Report it, report it, report it!

[romandiaz]

So my problem was that I could turn the key without a bunch shaking and jarring the ignition switch.

1. Took three screws out of the bottom of the steering column

2. Disconnected the cables from the ignition assembly

3. Unbolted the assembly from steering column.

4a. Watch a video on remove GM cylinder from the ignition assembly.
4b. Then another video i found showed how to rekey the cylinder. Even without those videos, its not a hard job.

5. Ordered part ACDelco part D1411G / GM Part 19120481 (got from amazon for $25 bucks, should have done this first, but I thought lubing it would fix this)

6. So I got the cylinder out of the ignition assembly. You turn key to ACC and then insert a thick paperclip or cell phone stylus into the release hold and then the cylinder pops out.
***Note that this was the hardest part, you don't need alot of pressure to release the spring but it needs to be lined up perfectly, a stylus worked easy and a paperclip took alot of effort. And you cannot release the cylinder unless you are able to turn the key. If you can't turn the key, you have to drill the cylinder.

7. With Cylinder removed, you can pull the flat copper spring retaining clip on the cylinder and 10 springs will be exposed. These are the smallest springs I have ever seen, so be careful.

8. Then carefully you pull each key notch thing out (I used paper clip to push from bottom). And write down the number inscribed, and its position. You may need a magnifying glass.

9. Then opened the new cylinder and put each number into its proper place.

10. Installed it back into the car and everything worked...
*** Note when you line it back up, you will feel a notch as you skew the "tree" and cylinder on the steering column.

It was shockingly easy once i had the replacement part. Don't waste time lubing this or messing around, just get a new cylinder, match it to your key and go. This was the first time I have tried this and would easily do it again. Took 30 minutes.