Steering Column Repair: Gear shifter and key, release pin, side button

Question
QUESTION: Ok I have a 2005 trailblazer. Somehow my gear shifter has messed up. You can noww change gears without even pushing the button down on the side of the shifter. I can drive it fine and put it in and out of gear fine. the problem is that now when I put it in park I still cant get my key out. I can turn the vehicle off but I can't switch the key all the way back to take the key out. But the truck must recognize it is in park because the truck unlocks autmatically when I put it in park. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Amy:
I figured out form your question that you have a floor shifter.  That makes a big difference.  This is fairly common on that model.  what's going on is the 'side button' is stuck inside the shifter on the floor under the console.  The truck transmission is in park, but the steering column does not recognize it because that locking 'button' is not coming out.  Most of the time, it's because coffee or pop was spilled in there at one time or another and now the electrical or spring loaded mechanism is sticking.
Two repairs, one cheap & one expensive
The expensive one is to replace the shifter mechanism completely for about $400
The cheap repair is to eliminate the key locking function in the column.  The only downside is that the key will be able to be removed in ANY gear, nut just park anymore.

Temporarily, you can release the key with this little trick.
Under the steering column are 3 holes.  Two of them have bolts in them and the 3rd is an access hole to the release pin for the key.  Take a small screwdriver and just push up in the access hole until you feel some spring resistance.  Then, while holding that release pin in, remove the key.

I hope this helps.  If you need photos, I can get some tomorrow

Good Luck
Doug

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QUESTION: Well I know nothing was spilled in it. What I think caused the problem is my childs leg hit the shifter and shifted it all the way to the end without pushing the side button in. How can you eliminate the key locking function by yourself?

ANSWER: Hello Amy:

If you think the shifter handle (or lever) got bent by you child's foot, maybe all you need to do is straighten it so that the lever and rod inside move freely and the side button works again.  You may be able to bend it slightly by forcing it back straight. Try that first.  Once you get that button to work freely, everything will work properly.
If not, then the lower steering column cover need to come off and the electric solenoid inside the column needs to be disconnected.  It's a silver barrel about 2" long by 1/2" diameter just behind the key on the right side of the column with a black and white wire going to it.  Disconnect the small black wire plug and it should release the locking mechanism.

Doug

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There isn't anything bent. I don't even have to push the button on the side to change gears. And I took the handle off of the top of the gear shifter to where the yellow plastic piece sticks up and if I get pliers and pull it up I can take the key out but then I can't change gears.  

Answer
Amy:
The fact that you have to pull up on it with pliers tells me the shifter is bent slightly.  this plastic rod should be spring loaded and move freely.  You've gone this far...try pushing the lever one way or another to see if it helps free the plastic rod, then you will know which way to rebend it (if you want to go that far)

Thanks for the ratings and compliments

Doug