My daily driver is having ignition problems, so I guess it was only fitting that my '95 automatic-transmissioned Firebird Formula just went wacky on me as well. The ignition switch refuses to shut off all the way --- the key only turns to "off" as opposed to "lock" or "ACC", and no amount of force or cajoling will make the ignition lock and the key come out.

I should mention that when I bought the car, the automatic trans shifter had a tight - almost stuck - release button that the owner had had repaired, which still takes some force to push, but I of course monkeyed-around with that as well to no avail....

Looking for advice on whether you think it's the trans button not fully locking the trans so that the switch won't budge, or whether you think the ignition switch just jammed, and if there's any advice on repairing ti, I'd greatly appreciate it, along with what an ignition and keys might cost.

 

Go here and look at item 40. You may also need to check out item 4 or may have a problem with the key cylinder or sector assembly.

 

Thanks for your great tech tips Shoebox -- I had actually just found number 40 when doing a search for ignition problems. I frankly don't know what people do without them. I haven't had time to attack the shifter yet, but I'm hoping that that is the problem and not the ignition -- that steering column doesn't look like it will be fun to take apart.

BTW, if you or anyone else here know if the Pontiac shift handle is similar to remove as the Camaro's, any advice would be appreciated and might save me a some time. I usually go to the Pick-a-Part first and mangle one off a junk car so I can practice and see what's up, but I haven't had the time.

 

Fixed in just a couple of minutes thanks to Shoebox's tech notes... it also gave me chance to clean out sixteen years' worth of sticky coffee spills from all of the console parts -- gotta love that shallow cupholder.

As another plus, I found the original owner's business card.