Key Stuck in Ignition and Shifter Stuck in Park

[GRAFIX]

Hello, I've been having problems with my 2002 Grand Prix GT (3.8L V6 - Automatic). The key has been getting stuck in the ignition (seems like a common problem I see on the internet). Recently my car is having trouble getting out of park into gear. After removing the center console I found a plug in which a few wires were disconnected. I'm having trouble identifying this piece so I can replace it. Unless there is a known fix you guys have heard of to fix these issues.

Here are pics I took of the connector:

I also have a video I found on youtube where the guy had the same problem and it shows you where my connector was. (At 3:31)

[video=youtube;6XBPL9v02WQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6XBPL9v02WQ#t=21 1s[/video]



Thanks in advance!

-Matt

 

[mskram1]

i have the same problem... i just took the bottom trim piece for the steering column off and theres a little white button that'll release the key, as for the shift lock there's a little button next to the shifter, hold the brake get a paperclip and push the button and you will b able to get the shifter out of park... i hope this helps...

 

[GRAFIX]

Yes I've used the manual key release button for a while now. As far as the shift lock release, that works but it's kind of pain to press it every-time I want to get out of park. I just checked my fuse box and all the fuses are fine and working properly. I'm going to try and pull the pins out of the connector I posted in the original post and re-solder everything back together. I'll see if that solves the problem.

If anyone else has any suggestions please help a proud Grand Prix owner!

-Matt

EDIT:
I re-soldered that connector and also tested the power and found that the wires that give the ignition and shifter power wasn't producing power. It looks to me that the brake light switch is bad. I will be heading to the auto store to pick up a Wells DR4112 Brake Light Switch and hopefully that will solve the issues.

 

[mskram1]

Lol yeah I'm gettin tired of it myself as well... ill keep an eye on this thread as I would like to kno how to fix it... as for now ill just sit back and laugh at my tire guy every time he tries to put it on the lift...

 

[GRAFIX]

I changed the Brake Light Switch yesterday. It did not make a difference. I tested the old brake switch and it seems like it was working. I know the problem has to do with lack of power. This leads me to believe that it has to be a fuse. When I went back into the fuse panel under the hood I could not find any fuses that had anything to do with the shifter, dash, etc. This leads me to believe there are more fuses in a different location. Does anyone know where another location for fuses are? All the fuses in the panel under the hood check out fine.

-Matt

 

[GRAFIX]

I also hot-wired the connections to see if they would work with power and the solenoid works perfect. So I know it has something to do with power.

 

[GRAFIX]

Ok I finally fixed all the problems. The problem with the shifter getting stuck in park was due to blown BTSI fuse. I just replaced it with a spare and the shifter and shift indicator on the dash worked. If your having problems with the shifter getting stuck, go into your glove box and on the right there is a fuse panel. Locate the BTSI fuse and verify that it isn't blown. In my case it was blown. Under the hood in the main fuse panel, there are spare fuses (10amp). I just used one of those and it works perfect. As far as the key problem, I found out that the switch on the shifter (where the 6 pin plug connects to) is faulty. I however bypassed it by jumping Pin C and Pin F together. Pin F does not give power on the off position, thus does not drain the battery or give heat issues. It works fine. Hope this helps anyone else that experiences similar issues.

-Matt