ignition switch problem 2008 Impala

Nate Nagel · 2011-01-03T22:33:05+00:00

Anyone know of any issue that would commonly keep the key from being turned to the "off" position? Started maybe a month and a half ago where every now and then I would have to play with the key, shifter, and brake pedal for a while until I could turn the key all the way to "off" so that I could remove the key. Just this evening it happened again and no amount of playing, starting/stopping engine, whatever would get the key to release. I was resigned to leaving the key in the car overnight and then having to drop it off somewhere and take my pickemup truck to my 11AM meeting.Now when I came inside the house, I realized that there was nobody home and therefore my friend's truck was not in the garage as I thought, so my car was blocking his path back into the garage. So I went back out, moved the car to the yard beside the driveway, and the key came right out. Only thing I could think that is pertinent is that when parked in the driveway the car was sitting nose up; when in the yard was pretty close to level, maybe slightly nose down. But after this happened I pulled back into the driveway again and was able to remove the key, then parked car in the yard a second time and was also able to remove the key.Two questions:1) when the issue occurs, the key is in the very first position forward from "off." Only the "brake" warning light and PRNDL indication are lit, and the heater fan is not running. If I had to, could I leave the car like this overnight, or if this happens again, should I hook up a trickle charger so as not to run down the battery? Car has a little over 50K miles on it and still has original battery, although I have no reason to believe that the battery is in anything other than fine shape (it's never run dead, I've not experienced slow cranking even on cold mornings, etc.)2) I'd really like to get this fixed before the car goes off lease (I think I may buy it) in another 20K miles, but seeing as the problem is intermittent and does not occur...

Jan 03, 2011 21 Replies

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jerryboyle92 12 years ago

Check where wires enter connector on shift lever. You need to remove center console. Harness may be pinched, or broken wire at connector.

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Paul in Houston TX 12 years ago

Nate will be glad to hear that. He has been waiting over three years for an answer.

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