Key stuck in ignition lock cylinder

**gmguy1970** · 08-18-2010

thanks. Your experience is a very nice asset to this forum.

**TheXential** · 03-12-2011

thread from the dead i know. im having the same problem, im going to the Pull-a-Part in louisville, ky tomorrow to get one for me and my friend.

lol my first post on gpf.net. ive been an addict over on clubgp for 2 years now. love both of these sites. very knowledgeable and helpful everyone is.
probably would have paid a shop hundreds to get this key problem fixed but after some research, it'll cost me maybe $20 to do it myself.

**TheOtherNick** · 03-12-2011

Just leave the selonoid out, so it wont happen agian.

**TheXential** · 03-12-2011

if its removed completely, can you shift from park without depressing the break?

**dinky** · 07-06-2011

I fixed mine today ,thanks for all the info fixed it in no time at all.

**dpzelenak** · 07-11-2011

ive been haveing this proplem for a year now, wanting to fix it, ive been reading and reading and dont know how so to take the solenoid out, ive takin some pics, im guessing its this white piece,,ive twisted and pulled and cant get it out..is there some trick to this

**jcgre3n** · 07-29-2011

Originally Posted by dpzelenak

ive been haveing this proplem for a year now, wanting to fix it, ive been reading and reading and dont know how so to take the solenoid out, ive takin some pics, im guessing its this white piece,,ive twisted and pulled and cant get it out..is there some trick to this

It was stated on the first page of this thread

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

However I found that I didn't have the tool to unmount it, so I shot a bit of oil in the solenoid that slides up and down, and it seems to have done the job at the moment. There's really no way to wrap tape around it and tape it down, so if this doesn't work I'll just break the thing off and pull it out that way.

Anyone know if cutting the wires off it would do the trick, or do I need to dismantle it?

**Summit670** · 07-29-2011

In the second pic, to the left of the gold plunger is a reverse torx screw. Harbor Freight may have sockets that fit. I used an ignition wrench and needle nose pliers but it would have been much easier with a socket.

That screw also hold the black box on.

I suppose you could gently cut the white tab off and leave the screw alone. You will want a similar size washer to replace the white tab but not absolutely needed, it is just that the screw doesn't tighten down all the way, or doesn't seem to without it.

That is the only fastener that holds the white piece. Wiggle the white assy kinda to the front and up and it comes out. Actually, push the plunger first or even hold the plunger in as it may make removal easier.

If you want to take the upper steering plastic off you will want a very small socket and there are two or three of those reverse torx screws you access from the bottom.

To get the plastic off my 2002, I had to remove the tilt knob. With two hands I pulled straight toward the window side and the knob came out. It is all plastic and is pushed into a black plastic piece. Was easy once I did it. Pondered that one for a while before tugging on it because didn't want to break it.

**dpzelenak** · 07-29-2011

i actually just pulled...and pulled... and pulled some more and i broke the piece that sides up and down, and it got stuck in the lock pos so i put the solenoid back and jammed the little button thing up and it realesed it and got stuck so now i dont ever have to worry about,
but thanks anyways

**Bronco Boy** · 08-07-2011

I just removed my PLS earlier today; got tired of the random "key won't come out" BS, and I need that screwdriver back in my tool box.

For those asking about what happens when the PLS is gone..... I can now shut the car off when in gear. Not a big deal seeing as how every vehicle I've ever owned works this way. Also, the key will not come out of the cylinder unless in the off position, just like always.

Here is my write-up.

**jtheripper211** · 08-08-2011

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

This worked great!! I was slowly going insane with the stinking key stuck in the ignition, now I have no more issues! Thanks a million!

**Bronco Boy** · 08-08-2011

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

..... I can now shut the car off when in gear.

Now that I think of it, I could always do this. The only difference without the PLS is that now I can turn the key all the way ro "off" vs it being locked in the "run" position.

**Madness** · 10-09-2011

Found this thread through the search function, and so far Abraisive's steps have worked great.

Took a #4 External Torx 1/4 socket for the screw, FYI.

Thanks!!

**Abrasive** · 10-09-2011

Just saw the link was dead to my original pic of the solenoid.. Fixed it.

**Abrasive** · 10-09-2011

1. No security bits, no problem. Sharp razor knife, cut here.

2. There is a pressure release clip under here that's hard to see and get to. Pry the solenoid with enough force with a screwdriver or whatever and it will pop out.

**wgnbrnr83** · 10-24-2011

for a quick fix take a zip tie and wrap it around the button and pull tight (also can be a perm fix if u jus dont want to change it)

**jcgre3n** · 10-25-2011

A faster fix:

In Abrasive's pic, to the right of #2 you see a protruding white piece of plastic. Grab a pliers and rip it off. A spring will come out with it, and you'll be good to go.

**bamiller2** · 11-21-2011

Ok, I am having a similar problem, my key was getting stuck a lot, and one time I pulled it out a little too hard and now the key will not turn at all. I have tried many methods to change the locking cylinder but none have worked so far. Most recently I tried drilling the locking tumblers out but it still is not turning. Any ideas?

**GTPGirl9983** · 12-18-2011

okay i have a 99 gtp and i have had so many issues with my key getting stuck in the ignition and now its to the point where its killing my battery anyone think that removing the park lock solenoid will solve my problem???