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Problem with key not turning off, and car still running.

B

bradycatsmokey

New member
Hello,
I am having a problem with my key not shutting off the engine and it's stuck just before you can take the key out and the car is totally off.

What is happening, is that when I place the gear shift into Park, which I do hear the click noise, I go to turn the key off, and it stops JUST before I can take the key out.

The lights all go off, but the car keeps running. I can't move the gear shift into D, or it makes a hard knock. I have to turn the key back to the on position, and then the lights all come back on, and then I can move the gear shift.

So the key is getting stuck at the point just before the car should shut off. I have to play with the key, and the wheel column by moving the wheel up and down, or having to put the car in drive and then park again.

Someone told me it can be lose bolts in the steering column that can be forcing the ignition to not shut off properly.

Has anyone come across this?
Once the key is back on the off position I can take my key out no problem. But when the lights go all off and I can't turn the key back to start position, it's a pain to get it loose again.

Thank you.

2002 Grand Prix GT 3.8L
 


Under the steering wheel is a little tab thingy, remove that and you are left with a hole. Now stick a pen/screw driver or whatever up there and you'll push in on the white plunger piece that will let the key come out.

A very common issue.
 
some times a wire has broken off the shiftier in the console.

other times the lock solenoid takes a crap in the column. the part your pushing to release the key. some will cut a stick, so it pushes the button up with the little cap back on, so it cant jam on you any more.
 
So by pushing in this piece, will let the key go to the start position and my car will shut off and my key will come out no problem.???
How can I fix this problem, if this is the problem??

I never had an issue once the car is shut off, for my key to come out. NOT A PROBLEM, and it shifts ok also, as I was asked that somewhere else.

My car has no problem starting at all. It's just when I go to shut the car off, it won't and the key gets stuck at the point where it won't shut off and the key will not go back to the start position. I have to play around with it, then once it does, it shuts the car off and the key goes back to start and I can remove it.
 
Last edited:
look under the column its a round plug, pull it out, opush the button inside, key will turn back and come out.

this is the repair for the bad wires off the shiftier in the console

 
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