Thread: key stuck in ignition?

Originally Posted by jaketrey32

i can not get the key to turn to the off posistion to pull the key out. Any suggestions?? i have the battery disconnected because i'm taking it to get checked because it keeps dying. not sure if that is due to the ignition problem, or the new cd player i installed? thanks!!!

Just throwing this out there, I don't think you can take the key out with the battery disconnected

had that same problem not a couple weeks ago. let me find the link that helped

i dont think the car dying and teh key getting stuck are related....

ok so...
the reason the key is stuck is called the igniton lock cylinder. its a useless piece of sh!t safety feature. first off to get the key out for now look up under the column and pull out the little cap piece covering a hole and jam a screwdriver in there to get it to release the key. then do this to remove the cylinder:

Originally Posted by Abrasive

Part looks like this...


How to fix it:

If you take the bottom cover off of the steering column you can get to it rather easy and remove the solenoid.

1) tilt wheel all the way up and remove tilt wheel lever.... just pull, it comes out rather easy

2) take out screws in bottom steering column cover.... torx bit

3) pull off cover. you will have to tilt it a little to clear the rear clips.

4) remove screw(s) holding in solenoid.... very small nut driver or pliers will do the trick.

5) unplug wires to solenoid and discard solenoid into nearest trash can and save money for beer after job is complete

6) reverse order to reassemble column

7) use money saved from step 5 and go have a few beers

thanks to abrasive. that post really helped me.

Originally Posted by 02blackgpgt

i dont think the car dying and teh key getting stuck are related....

Mine was stuck when my battery died and i didn't have a replacement and my key got stuck :S and I didn't have to do what abrasive and you did I just replaced battery and turn it back and it was fine.

if your steering wheel is locked in the wrong position then that will keep the key in there too.

Originally Posted by 1998xGTP

Mine was stuck when my battery died and i didn't have a replacement and my key got stuck :S and I didn't have to do what abrasive and you did I just replaced battery and turn it back and it was fine.

hmm thats weird. when my battery died my key didnt get stuck...i guess i just got lucky.

Originally Posted by 02blackgpgt

hmm thats weird. when my battery died my key didnt get stuck...i guess i just got lucky.

No clue but as soon as I put my new battery in it popped out and worked fine

Moved to the correct area.

yes, if they battery is dead/ missing, the key will not come out. there is a manual override in the bottom of the steering column, you can put in a screw driver, and take it out. when the battery is removed, they key gets locked in. idk why they do it, but my Grand Am did the same thing.