Thread: Key stuck in ignition lock cylinder

It's a solenoid in the steering column. I have a 97 and after a year of this crap, I took the collar off and there is a silver button in there (on the right) that you push in and it lets the key go..I never had mine fixed though..I just got used to pushing the button.

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

Originally Posted by rfmgtp02

Im assuming that is the park lock switch?

Is removing the part going to cause any other problems or is this just a safety feature put in by gm to make you put the car in park before you remove the key?

Yep, Park Lock Solenoid. Removing it won't cause any problems at all, but yes, it is a safety feature to keep the key in the ignition if the car isn't in park. Key removal will be possible if the car is not fully in park without it. Mine has been removed for a year now and never had any trouble with accidentally not being in park.

Finally got it fixed(taken out) of my car thanks abrasive

So my ignition wasn't working...It wouldn't start and I was previously having the lockback issue. I took out that part above that was causing issues and now my car starts fine, I can take the key out at anytime. So that's cool for winter. But I still have the issue where the ignition will not turn fully back. It's really annoying cuz my car dings everytime I open my door. Any suggestions???

Originally Posted by DesQ27

I took out that part above that was causing issues and now my car starts fine, I can take the key out at anytime. So that's cool for winter.

That part has me concerned. I just went out and double checked mine before posting this to make sure, but I have the park lock solenoid removed and I can still ONLY remove my key when the ignition is in the off position. If you can take your key out in anything other than the off position, you have other issues in your ignition. The park lock solenoid has no affect over that function. It only is there to keep you from removing the key if the shifter is in any other position other than park. I can remove my key in drive if I really wanted to, but I still have to turn the ignition off first.

Originally Posted by Abrasive

That part has me concerned. I just went out and double checked mine before posting this to make sure, but I have the park lock solenoid removed and I can still ONLY remove my key when the ignition is in the off position. If you can take your key out in anything other than the off position, you have other issues in your ignition. The park lock solenoid has no affect over that function. It only is there to keep you from removing the key if the shifter is in any other position other than park. I can remove my key in drive if I really wanted to, but I still have to turn the ignition off first.

Is there a way to make it so you can remove the key at any time? I had an old car where you could do this. And it was really handy. You could even turn the car off and be able to start it again without the key as long as you didnt put the ignition all the way to the off position, this might not make sense.
I could start my car in order to let it warm up. Take my keys out and move the other cars around in my driveway while still letting my car warm up in the winter. And it had no trunk pop so i didnt have to shut the car off to open the trunk for people.

ps. sometimes my grand prix key wont turn in the ignition. I have to take it out and flip the key over and try multiple times to get it to work.

Wow glad I found this the wife just got home and the key stuck popped the collar (no pun intended) LOL. and killed the solenoid all better in under 5 mins..

I just started having this same problem i removed the selonoid and tested it on a battery and it worked everytime. Anyone have any other ideas as to what might have caused this problem?? Where would the sensor that sends the signal to the selonoid.