Pontiac Repair: ignition key stuck in the ignition, key cylinder, actuator

Question
i have a 2000 grand prix the key is stuck in the ignition n won't turn back to the lock position. It turns the engine off but every thing else stays on and kills the battery. Does this have anything to do with the tranny computer? Any advise will help. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi
Your problem IS MOST LIKLEY the shifter assembly.
when you put the vehicle in park, it sends a small current to an actuator (park Lock Actuator) located in the steering column.
CHANCES are the shifter just is not sending current.
You could removed the covers off the steering column, and check to make sure there is no current going to the actuator. The actuator is a small round silver actuator mounted just below the key cylinder. Has 2 small wires going to it.
BTW there is a small round cut out below the key on the lower column cover (alittle smaller than a dime). You could remove this with a small knive or screwdriver and insert a pencilin hole, and this will manually override the actuator, so you can remove the key.
I have replaced numerous shifters for this concern.
I have not replaced any actuators for this concern, EXCEPT the customers requested the actuator be replaced also.
I hope this helps.
JUST advice from experience.
Good luck
Pawl