Key won't come out

Tiny
ANDREAA322000
  • MEMBER
  • PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
I have a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix with 100,000 miles. After I turn the car off the key will not come out of the ignition over half the time. Sometimes it will go a whole day and be ok and other times the key won't come out for days at a time. What could be the cause of this and how much should I be charged to fix it?
Tuesday, July 18th, 2006 AT 12:14 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
XOWEY
  • MEMBER
  • 113 POSTS
Does it have a floor shift?

Quite often the button will bind or the shifter will not move all the way foreword. It could also be a worn out ignition lock cylinder.

You should be able to get it diagnosed for an hour worth of labor.

You could try removing the shift lever handle and spray some penetrating oil down inside the shaft. :Wink:
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Tuesday, July 18th, 2006 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
RAYRAY1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I also have a 1998 pontiac grand prix with the same mileage and problem. At first I had the same symptoms but now the key does not come out at all. It has to be either the lock cylinder or the gear shift not going all the way to the park position.
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Monday, July 24th, 2006 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
MIKEYBDMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 623 POSTS
This is a very common problem with the Grand Prix. There is a small opening on the bottom of the steering column with a plastic cover over it. Pop it off, and with a small screw driver, or a long key, insert it and push the manual release on the solenid. This will allow you to remove the key from the ignition switch.
For you mechanic minded folks, send me a PM with your make model and year, and I will tell you what pins to jumper to send the proper signal to the solenoid and see if it works normally. This will tell you if it is the solenoid or the Park Position Switch.
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Monday, July 24th, 2006 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
YANGALEX
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My car has a similar problem but seems more serious. It is a 99 Grand Prix GTP coupe, around 80K miles on it. I drove the car the day before and it was OK, but the second day when I was trying to start the car, the first thing I noticed is that the remote entry failed to work, so I figured it was probably out of battery, so I just opened the door with my key. Then when I inserted the key into the ignition, it didn't start the car, actually there was nothing happened, no crank or anything, it's like the car is completely dead, no power is on. Moreover, I can't get the key out either. I wonder whether you guys have the same symptom when you can get your key out? Can anyone give me a hand? Thanks a lot.
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Monday, July 31st, 2006 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
MIKEYBDMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 623 POSTS
Check your battery and see if you have power. If you do, then suspect the ignition switch.
Also, look around your column for a small hole (maybe covered with a cover) to release your key. Most cars have a manual key release.
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Monday, July 31st, 2006 AT 8:05 PM

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