Key Stuck in ignition in my 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?

Question

I can strart it, and turn it off, but key wont come out.
HELP! (Its just a simple key, no electronics.) Can be reproduced for $2.00.

I called AAA Locksmith. They say it is not the lock but probaly a cable that tells the car its in Park. The key only coes as far as the accessory position. Not totaly to off.

Answer 1

I will assume that the gear shift lever is in park completely. Try turning the steering wheel a bit as you jiggle the key.

If that doesn't do it, you will probably have to take it to a repair shop. There is an interlock device that keeps the key from being removed when it is turned to the on position. Something may be stuck or broken.

Answer 2

I own a shop, and think this; Is the key going to the off position all the way? Is there some button, or lever you push/pull to make it go to the locked position? Will it go to the ACC position? The key will go to the off position that stops the engine from running, but there is a locking part that is between the off position, and the ACC position. This position locks the steering wheel from being turned, and (most of the time) requires you either push/pull a button, or lever to engage the steering lock part. This is the only position the key will come out of the switch. Some switches require you to push the key in more to make it go to this position. If after all of this the key still won't come out, then the steering wheel must be removed to determine the cause of the problem. If you have an airbag that is in the steering wheel, then I would strongly recommend you not try fixing it, and leaving this to a professional. Try going to a Body Shop that does collision repair work. Most of them have plenty experience with this type of problem since they replace airbags all the time. If you turn the switch off with the steering wheel in a bind, it will prevent the switch from turning all the way until you move the wheel to a more relaxed position. Try moving the steering wheel to see if it will lock. May fix the issue, if that has anything to do with it. I have seen stranger things in my life.
Part 2:
You can't have off, and not have off too? I'm not being funny here, but you stated you didn't have off, and then stated you did have off? You should have ACC, off, on, and start positions. The order they are in matters. If you turned the key all the way, is this ACC? If you go all the way the other way is this not start? If I'm correct it should be this order from ACC to start; ACC, off, on, and start. I was trying to determine if you were having a lock problem, or some other problem. Some do in fact have a cable, and if this cable is out of adjustment, or broken, then you won't be able to have full control of your ignition switch. If it was me, I would go to a reputable shop, and have them take a look at it. This way you can get an estimate, and know for sure what the problem is. Every answer on here could be right or wrong, and without someone looking at it, there is really no way to tell for sure. Like I said; body shops are really good with these situations because they see it all the time, and could fix it in a matter of minutes.
Glad to help out, Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

You are right to have called a locksmith as he has given you some good information. I am assuming this is an automatic trans. with a console shift. If it isn't you will have something similar to this. There is normally a switch or a cable inside or on the auto trans shifter assembly that either grounds or diverts power to a solenoid inside the ignition switch in the event you have an electric one or a cable that goes from the shifter up to the ignition switch. . When this activates, the key can be turned to off and this will also effectively lock the switch and shifter so as not to be too easy to steal. You will have to determine what is not working by dis-assembling the covers around the ignition cylinder and locating the solenoid or the cable to the ignition switch. A lot of the time it was just a matter of fixing a sticky shifter knob as this is what eventually releases what locks out the switch so have a good look at that. Once you either have the shifter exposed or the column, you will be able to tell which one is not releasing or is holding it on. Both of these things are not very hard to open up to look at. Good luck.

Answer 4

Be glad that it's stuck in and not the other way around. Sounds like something in the key slot has broken. I had the same thing happen to me once, but I couldn't put my key in. Hope this helps. Good luck

Answer 5

properly from the information you published looks such as you have a idle air coltrol situation, 2 issues you will possibly be able to desire to do one get air intake cleanser and eliminate the air field and sparkling the throttle physique out and attempt to be certain if that facilitates if no longer replace the idle air cleanser and force ...

Answer 6

SA CABLE THAT TELLS THE CAR--------- DISCONNECT NEG. BATTERY CABLE FOR A FEW SECONDS, IF IT IS A CABLE THAT TELLS ====THIS SHOULD WORK.