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02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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Buffokill
New User
Oct 4, 2019, 12:24 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1320 views)
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02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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2002 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8L non supercharged
Started about 6 or 7 months ago. The car engine starts and stops fine, but about 85% of the time the key won't click back far enough to release. If you sit in the car for a few minutes after turning the engine off there will be a very faint click sound and the key will turn the rest of the way and release (about 50% off the time.)
First thing I did was go through the steps of a worn out ignition cylinder. I ended up replacing it about 4 months ago. But made absolutely no difference. I'm fairly sure it's not anything to do with the shift indicator, because if I try to turn the engine when the car is not in park the key will click back once, but when the car is in park it clicks back twice. (It has to click back three times to release.)
I checked for recalls and there are none. I've had to disconnect the battery a couple times in the last few months. Immediately after disconnecting the battery it will release the key, and usually it will work properly once or twice.
It does not make a difference how far or how frequently I drive. It seems pretty random when the key will release, I haven't been able to find any tricks. For example, sometimes if I turn the car on and straighten the steering wheel it will release, but next time I try that it doesn't work.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 4, 2019, 12:48 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1316 views)
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Re: 02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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Few questions first:
Are you trying to turn off with steering wheel really turned hard one way or the other or did often?
Are brake lights working?
Does shifter really feel like it's in Park meaning can you move the thing with it there on level ground?
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Buffokill
New User
Oct 4, 2019, 12:57 PM
Post #3 of 6
(1312 views)
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Re: 02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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I never turn it off if the steering wheel is hard in one direction. I tend to straighten it out first, unless I'm on a hill, even then I make sure it's not where it's going to lock my ignition. But I have been messing with where it is when I park the last couple months just to try to figure it out.
Brake lights are all working fine. I get a little paranoid about them, so I check them pretty regularly.
Shifter feels solid. I assume you mean can I move the car when it's in park on level ground, which would be a no.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 4, 2019, 1:39 PM
Post #4 of 6
(1303 views)
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Re: 02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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One more is this a console shifter? I lied - another too, is key on dash or steering column? (I just can't know each sub model of each)
Those are sending a signal to the key as to when you can "lock" the wheel via electrical actuator. Oh my - never had one go wrong or stay wrong enough to chase one down but works that way.
Perhaps Hammer Time will be by with a faster way to zoom in on this you've had enough troubles without a fix already,
T
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Buffokill
New User
Oct 4, 2019, 2:40 PM
Post #5 of 6
(1296 views)
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Re: 02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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Shifter is down between driver and passanger seat. Key is in the steering column.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 5, 2019, 7:14 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1268 views)
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Re: 02 Grand Prix ignition won't release key
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Been a little while here's some stuff you could do: It worked with a new battery for a while is a clue. This should send a signal from console that it's in "P" that moves a small sensor on to column releases the barb holding a key. That should be down lower to a rod on up thru noted when cylinder was done I hope working?
Higher power delivered now just a guess "Du Jour" is a wire plug connection is weak. So which one(s) are the most likely? I guess the console end it can get spilled things on that, higher chance of being wet may also get damp from underside of vehicle there would take a look. Good time to WD-40 any moving shift parts that you can see that go on up front to transmission. If you find pretty nasty corrosion with that stuff try to stop it from busting things off, cables, things that pivot newer than this are exposed just fell off an '05 (other GM thing) and waited for stuff for lack of lube - fairness roads are salted here if you don't prevent it you are screwed with that stuff.
It's a weekend for most folks not me will check in later have a job going on just a break for now,
T
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