a couple days ago when i tried to pull my keys out of the ignition they would not come out. i got them out by turning the ignition to the start position and it unlocked and the keys came out. i tried doing this today and now the keys wont come out. they are locked in the run position and wont come out. i have a 6-speed so i stalled it out to shut down the engine but i cant get the keys out still. when i turn the key forward it seems like the ignition lock is really loose and it can slide in and out about 1-2 cm. can anyone help me, i really need my car by tomorrow, or do i have to take it to a shop or even worse, the dealer

 

Well, I'm not sure that the same applies here, but my granny's cavalier did the same thing, twice. Once she couldn't get the key out and the car was running (automatic), and once she couldn't get it to start, and the key wouldn't come out again.

She wound up going back to the dealer and both times they replaced her ignition switch. The part was like 175/177 dollars. The second time they replaced it they didn't charge her anything. Then after that she found out there was a recall on the switch, so now we're trying to get what she paid for the part the first time back. So far it seems like GM is going to reimburse her.

Hope this helps a little. ----J.Bird

 

friend of mine's blazer was going that, but it was an auto, you had to have it in park in order to get the keys out, tranny was loosing power and couldn't tell the ecm that it was in park. ended up jumping power from another fuse to get the keys out, there is a recall on their blazer as well, it's a 97. don't know if this info will help you, don't think the t56s have any type of latching mechanism for the keys...

sounds like you need to replace the switch, mechanical part, not electrical.

good luck man.

 

Something very similar to this happened to me. About a week after I bought the car, I parked normally and tried to pull the keys out after turning the ignition off. I pulled and pushed on the key every direction I could imagine but the key was still about 1 or 2 mm away from the unlock position.

I called the dealer and they told me over the phone, "It's your ignition, we can replace that for a few hundred dollars." I was pissed and took it to some other shop. The problem turned out to be a small plastic ring inside the ignition has broken and a piece no larger than this smiley face had jammed the tumbler or whatever the rotating part is called.

The whole ordeal cost me 170 or something and the part was like 3 dollars. Just make sure you replace what really needs to be replaced and not what some asshat thinks needs to be replaced. Good luck finding your problem. I hope it is a cheap fix and gets done quickly.

Sean

 

my keys got stuck in my grand am once....i failed to realize that the car was still in drive when i turned it off

 

just an update, i have to take my car into a shop to get the ignition lock replaced. the lock itself cost 60 and the keys cost 30 dollars apiece because of the built in resistor. all together it will cost me 180, not bad but more money takin away from the performance fund

 

Sometimes the push button on the auto shifter gets stuck down. Keys wont come out then. Make sure the button is up and locked into place. (wont push down until brake is pushed) Just a thought.