Can't get key out! 1998 GP

Dec 08, 2005 3 Replies
W
1998 Grand Prix GT 4door.

I should mention I'm far from being a car expert, so forgive my wording.



After I turn off the engine, I cannot turn it back to the LOCK position (the position in which I can take the key out). This only started happening yesterday morning - it's never happened before, in the five months I've owned it.



After jiggling with it, starting and stopping the engine, shifting around a bunch, and in general just messing around, I can eventually turn it back and the key will come out, however, it has taken longer every time I've had to do this.



Any ideas?



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D

might have a new key made from key code to see if that helps. or take the ignition switch off and see if key lock turns easily then, if it does, the ignition switch may be binding up,

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R

Is it in park? I have a 02 grand am automatic and it wont let me take the key out unless it's in park. I Dont know about manual transmissions though.

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G

In alot of 1997 to 2003 Grand Prix and some other GM's it is very common that crud gets built up in the shifter underneath of the console. How this is related is that there is a solenoid in the shifter housing that gets the crud in it. So that even though the car is in park the solenoid has crud in it so the contact doesnt recognize that it is in park, thus the key will not turn off completely and usually there are some lights lit in the gage panel. The best recommendation is to disassemble and clean all of this equipment very well and use electrical contact cleaner on all electrical parts. Be sure to disconnect the battery first. Happy Wrenching

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