Question2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. The key gets stuck in the ignition. It doesn't always happen but it happens enough to make it annoying I usually have to put the car back into drive and move it a little then back into park and try again and if that does not work I lock and unlock the doors listening to the clicks and try again.
Any ideas what this can be?
AnswerHi
first I will tell you there is a small round plug (about the size dime under where you put the key. If you remove this plug and insert a pencil eraser into hole, you'll be pushing on an actuator and it manually over rides the Key lock so you can remove your key.
Now That actuator is fed a current from the shifter when Park is selected. The actuator then releases the key cylinder so it can rotate fully so the key can be removed. So your dealing with 3 items that could be your fault.
1) the shifter assembly- This is the most common item I have seen cause this EXACT same problem.
2) The Park Lock Actuator - If the shifter IS supplying signal voltage to this actuator and it is not releasing, this will be the problem.
3) The wiring from shifter to actuator- If liquid has spilled down the shiter and got into the connector at the shifter. The wire can also rub through with the constant back and forth movement of the shifter and eventually break the wire.
These are the 3 items I have personally ran across.
My Best advise is to have a mechanic your familiar with check the wiring, and the actuator. This can be done realitivly easily. They should be able to pinpoint it easil;y at that point and give you repair options from there.
These are JUST suggestions from experience.
Please check with local repair shop for further diagnosis.
Good Luck
Paul
