I have a 91 RS and my ignition key is stuck in the mechanism. The key still works (thankfully) but I can't pull it out. How can I remove the cylinder to investigate the problem?

The cover on the steering column appears to be one peice and I see no way to remove it to disassemble the column to get to the ingition lock cylinder. In a previous car that I owned I could remove the 2-piece steering column cover to expose a small pin that held in the cylinder. How do I do this one a 91 Camaro?

 

Uhhhh, is it in Park?
Sorry, couldn't stop myself. :P

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'83 Z28
305 4bbl
TH-700R4
3.23 posi (ok, L/S)
no mods... yet

 

Seriously, that is good question...is it in park. My bro had the same problem on his 85 Monte once. Turned out the linkage to the tranny was out of adjustment, so the the car wasn't totally in Park, as could be seen cause the little needle in the dash wasn't lined up w/ the "P". Check that first before ripping apart the steering column.

 

Mine jams and won't turn on and I can't get the key out all the time. I have turn back the key and pull out on the tumbler and push in and forward on the key at the same time. PITA prob. It sounds like something isn't switching to release the key. Did you hear anything snap or break?

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91 Z28 Camaro
305 TPI
Flowmaster 3" exhaust
700R4 with 2000 Stall and shift kit
One sweet sounding system

 

Steering wheel have a lot of tension on it holding it to where it is locked? I know I've seen this in some cars, where you just have to take the wheel and turn it off of the 'lockstop' or whatever and then the key can come out.

 

Is it a 5-speed? 5-speed cars require you to depress a lever before you can remove the key

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1990 Firebird Formula 350 speed density TPI; K&N, air foil, throttlebody coolant bypass, underdrive pullies, MSD 6AL, MSD HEI coil, 8.8mm wires, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, Hypertech Thermomaster chip, 160* thermostat, fan switch, B&M stage 2 shift kit, Edelbrock 1&5/8 headers, gutted dual cats, Flowmaster 80 series muffler, 3.73 posi rear end

 

Thanks for the responses.

The key functions pretty much as it should except that I can't remove it. I can start the car, turn off the car, turn the wheel, ect. I just can't remove the key more than about 1/16 of an inch and I can't turn the key backwards to the accessory position.

Everything works so I don't want to do something to make the car undriveable. The problem is that the key is stuck in the ignition and anyone who can get into my car (I do have an alarm) just has to turn the key to start it.

I figured that it might be possible to remove the ignition cylinder with the key still stuck in it. How do I do this?

BTW the car is an automatic, the shift functions are normal, and the steering lock functions are normal.

 

My key has a computer chip as part of the security system. They wear out. is it posible that yours was wore out and broke off in the ignition? I say take it to the dealer. They are more expensive but wont toatlly **** up the steering column fixing it

 

The problem is solved thanks to this message board. Look under the Electronics section for more details.

It turns out that the problem was in the shifter **** button and not in the actual ignition cylinder.