Ignition key stuck

Tiny
FEE WALKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • 120,000 MILES
Our steering wheel does not lock. We do not have to apply our foot to the brake to remove from park, and our key is stuck in the ignition.

Anyone have some help for these problems?
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Friday, December 8th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
You have a problem with the interlock system or ignition tumbler of your car. You will need to disassemble the column cover and then start looking for broken parts. The deterrent lock is the first place I would start. Theft deterrent lock replacement.

Check out the diagrams (below).

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, December 9th, 2017 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
ANTWANA FULLWOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 266,601 MILES
My ignition is stuck wont turn off or forward. The truck is still running has been since 10:00 pm it is now 4:00 am. Key stuck nothing will move it.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Pull out the ignition fuse the will shut it off. So the key wont turn from the run position?Sounds like the ignition housing is jammed up.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
4EVA4REAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 116,242 MILES
Electrical problem
2002 Chevy Trailblazer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 116242 miles

My key is stuck in the ignition and won't go back into the lock position. The gear shift is in between the front seats. I am at a total loss about what to do about it. Help. And the car won't start. I replaced the started because I knew it was going bad and now I hear the starter turn over but it is not engaging the flywheel. I've check the flywheel for damage and there is none. It also turns. What could be my problem. No problems with this car until this.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It sounds like you have a bad tumbler. Have that checked. You may want to lube it to see if that helps. Also, have you checked to see if you are getting spark and fuel to the engine?
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMMER2009
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Check for broken wires down by the shifter. There is a switch down there to release the key.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OTACON28
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
Hello,

I just joined up on here. I have a 2002 trailblazer LS. I recently had a transmission malfunction and it needed to be replaced because I lost the use of all gears and basically it wouldn't drive anymore. Right before the transmission totally stopped working on the same evening I stopped at a gas station and wasn't able to turn the key to the lock position and remove the key from the ignition . I had the transmission replaced by a credible certified transmission specialist and the new transmission works perfectly but I'm still not able to remove the key. He readjusted the linkages but said that the problem is not showing in anything in the direct involvment with the transmission, He did give me a 2 year warranty on this transmission and his work so if it proves to be the cause of the problem I can approach him about it. There was no trama or impact from a crash anywhere on the vehicle as it had just with no indication on a back road just creeped to a halt and stopped . This truck has just reached 60,000 miles and had a transmission fluid and filter change at 40,000 ( I'm guessing that may have been a little early but I wanted it done ). I didn't end up continuing with the extended warranty so I ate the cost of the replacement transmission but I still would like to know if there's any kind of code reset or bypass that needs to be done to be able to remove my key from the ignition? I currently have to open the hood and remove a battery cable wire to not drain my battery when I'm not driving the truck being that it's not able to go further back than the acc position, and that's going to become a hassle.

I'd really appreciate any info. That someone may be able to give me.

Sam(otacon28)
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MCFERRANCE
  • MEMBER
  • 100 POSTS
Is the shifter on the steering column or center console?
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANITA.COPODONNA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2002 Chevy Trailblazer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 125000 miles

I turned the key to start my car. It stayed in the start position. I can not turn it off or move the key at all. What is the problem and how do I fix it.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANITA.COPODONNA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Electrical problem
2002 Chevy Trailblazer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 125000 miles

I turned the key to start my car. It stayed in the start position. I can not turn it off or move the key at all. What is the problem and how do I fix it.

Day two: Google is wonderful! I researched the issue and narrowed it down to my ignition lock cylinder. I bought the part, gave it to my husband and - tada - its fixed! It was the starter spring that went bad on the cylinder. It looks like a scary job but once you get to the assembly (behind all the plastic covers) it only took about 1 hour.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEAVENSBLUEYES81
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2003 Chevy Trailblazer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 40,000 miles

I just had a new engine put into my vehicle a month ago.

The car has been driving fine, yesterday my fiance put the key in the ignition and the car wouldn't start, no clicking noise nothing, the break when you hit it won't go down, you can't put the car into gear and now I can't get my key out of the ignition and I am not sure what the problem is.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
Check your battery.
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AMBER C.
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
2000 Chevy Trailblazer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 138000 miles

When I put my blazer in park, sometimes the switch won't release the key. It goes into park but the key is stuck. The engine turns off but the key is stuck in the switch and the switch will not shut off. When it does it, I can start it back up but the switch will not turn off all the way and release the key. If I hit the shifter hard with a hammer, the switch will release the key. Also sometimes I can move the vehicle and it will release the key. I thought it was the switch so I had it replaced. That did not fix it. I had the linkage checked and the mechanic couldn't find a problem with it. He said the linkage is tight and there are no signs of a problem there. He had no idea what else could be causing the problem. Is there some kind of censor that could be bad? Please help!
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RAZERBACK
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I think its the adjustment in the shifter adjust out just a little ill bet he couldnt find a problem one of those things of works when youre trying to show the mecanic problems after its the adjustment on the shifter wherever the adj. Is
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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)

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