Key stuck in ignition

2008 PONTIAC TORRENT

140,000 MILES • 3.6L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

LOU HERMAN

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3 POSTS
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Key gets stuck in ignition after driving, but will turn and come out after just a minute or so after the car is shut off. Wheel lock is not engaged, shift lock is not engaged, tumblers and key look good, not a key cylinder problem. Thinking it is an ignition lock solenoid issue. But am unsure of how to replace it. Maybe a shift lock solenoid issue. I am thinking it is a solenoid issue because the key comes in/out no problem before starting, then gets stuck in "on" after driving for a while. Giving the car 2 minutes to cool off, solenoid cooling off too, the lock disengages. Make sense?

Jun 12, 2020 at 2:56 PM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

When you have the key stuck, what happens when you move the shifter around or push "further" into park? Meaning when you put in park, try pushing it a little harder toward the front of the vehicle and then see if it will release the key. If this releases it then you have a shift interlock issue in the shifter.

Here is a guide that helps with this specific issue so we should run through this as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/ignition-switch-wont-turn-stuck

Let me know what you find. Thanks

Jun 13, 2020 at 6:27 PM

LOU HERMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No, it doesn't seem to be the actual position of the shifter that has anything to do with it. I've fiddled with the shifter on several occasions and the only thing that allows the key to go from ACC to "off" is to wait a min sometimes more... you can hear the *click* when its ready to come out. The hotter the day, or the longer we drive the car, the longer it takes for the 'click' and the key to be free to turn to "off".

Jun 15, 2020 at 7:11 AM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

Okay. That is good info. I attached the info on the ignition lock cylinder solenoid. More then likely this is your issue. Let's run through this info and testing and we can confirm this is the issue.

Lastly I attached how to replace the cylinder case if we find that it is not wiring.

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