So my key is stuck in the ignition, i went and took the steering wheel and turn signal switch off so i could take the ignition lock assembly out. Now that i can take the ignition lock out i can turn the key and take it out, but as soon as it is put into the proper place it wont turn back far enough to engage the pins that allow the key to come out and i hear a dull click coming from the left side of the steering column...anyone got any ideas?

 

is the car in drive? i know i have stopped and turned off the car and the key wont come out just to realize i forgot to put it in park

 

nope its in park

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlXV38RI6RY

Heres a video of the issue

 

It probably still thinks its in park so it won't let it lose.

 

wouldnt it being in park allow the key to come out though? i just checked the linkage under the shift lever and it doesnt seem like anything is broken or anything and the manual says that if it starts in any gear but park then it could be the linkage on the transmission, but my car only starts in park

 

its also not suppose to let the key come out unless its in park, something could be out of aligment with that system.

But never had a 3rd gen auto apart, on my 2nd gen auto the column still turns even through its a floor shifter.

Which GM did for many years as it was cheaper to just leave all them safetys in the column, then invent new ones for the floor. So they had linkage that went to both the floor and column.

If your column turns, trying turing it by hand to the left.

 

i gave up for the day, but i am looking at changing up my ignition a little bit so that i can move the cylinder to another location and install a push button start or something just to make the car a little more unique as well as let me get the key out of the ignition cylinder

 

Just posting this up for anyone having this issue. I had this same exact problem with my car yesterday. Removed shifter handle and there was a small piece of plastic in handle that broken off from somewhere. After looking inside of handle no idea where plastic came from. This was not allowing button inside shifter to fully release. Removed plastic, reinstalled handle and it's working fine. Hopefully this helps someone else down the road.

 

When the key is turned, it turns a cog on the opposite end of the column to the ignition cylinder (via a metal shaft). This cog in turns pulls up or down an alloy linkage that is in turn connected to a steel rod that goes down to the ignition switch.
If the column tilt mechanism comes loose, the upper part of the column wobbles about and bends that upper alloy linkage. That then becomes unhooked from the steel rod and so the key won't come out!

Difficult to explain this, but is your tilt mechanism loose? If it is, the column needs to be dismantled so the alloy linkage can be pulled out and straightened. I'll try and find some photos for you tomorrow.

Does all this makes sense?!!

Andy.

 

My problem, too. Sometimes key won't come out; then later it does. And its an automatic. Thanks for the hints.