Ignition key won't come out?

[M. MacDonald]

Won't turn either. Sometimes it will but then it will hang when shut off
engine off and lock won't turn and key is difficult, if not impossible, to
remove.
Any ideas as to the problem? Been the WD40 route with no luck. Seems like
something is hanging up. Maybe steering wheel lock?

[Jonnie Santos]

...in general, don't do wet lubricants for lock cylinders.

"M. MacDonald" <mmacd...@bc.com> wrote in message
news:9nnpv1$13hg5$1...@hades.csu.net...

[Lane]

Eventually my key wouldn't come out and wouldn't turn either, no matter what
I did with the wheel. You may want to get this fixed before you get
stranded somewhere. You can replace the ignition cylinder yourself with a
Haynes manual, and if I recall correctly, the parts were less than $20. You
will need a very compact and thin-walled socket to remove the bottom trim
piece off the steering column though due to an inset hex-head screw (this
was on my '94). I found a 'skewdriver'-type tool from K-Mart for around $10
that came with very compact sockets - it easily fit into the opening to
remove that screw.

You may also want to replace your keys, because they tend to get chewed up
when this happens, and a chewed-up key also contributes to the difficulty.

Lane [ l a n e @ t h e r a c e t r a c k . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio & Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

"M. MacDonald" <mmacd...@bc.com> wrote in message
news:9nnpv1$13hg5$1...@hades.csu.net...

[J Rock]

for the love of god.. put it in park!
Just kiddin

--

" Why is it that only stupid people get quoted?"
-J Rock
www.jrock.cjb.net

"M. MacDonald" <mmacd...@bc.com> wrote in message
news:9nnpv1$13hg5$1...@hades.csu.net...

[Jay Bollyn]

"M. MacDonald" <mmacd...@bc.com> wrote in message
news:9nnpv1$13hg5$1...@hades.csu.net...

Lubricants do not help. I think it is some kind of mechanical problem.

I have this problem too. Don't remember exactly when it started, probably at
20K or so. (Should have had this fixed under *warranty*. Must have been
asleep.) 60K now, 98 SL2. My workaround is, when shutting the car off,
remove the key immediately and quickly. That always works for me. If you
shut the car off and leave the key in the ignition, you are screwed. Don't
know the precise mechanical reason for this.

As mentioned earlier, your keys really get chewed up. I have had one
replacement key already. The key I threw out was very rounded, hardly any
pointed notches at all.

[Bent Peg]

Lane-
I'm having the same problem on a '95 SL2. Following the Haynes manual, did
you also need to pull the steering wheel and air bag unit?
Also, from the Haynes, it says to put the key in the Accessory position and
press a release button (is it on the top of the wheel?) to remove the
ignition cylinder. Button's location is not shown well in pictures.
TIA.
Bent~

"Lane" <la...@theracetrack.com-NOSPAM> wrote in message
news:tpvrm1n...@corp.supernews.com...

[mul...@x.files]

How did you get the parts? I tried to buy a replacement cylinder from the dealer
but they insisted I had to leave them the car so they could recode it. I
declined.

[Lane]

With my 94, I didn't have to remove the wheel or airbag (responding to
earlier post). But you should follow the procedures for disabling the
airbag. The hardest part though was getting to that recessed screw on the
underside trim.

My dealer sold me the parts I needed. They knew what the key code was by my
VIN, and selected the proper tumblers/sliders (or whatever they're called).
I just put them into the new cylinder just like they existed in the old one
I took out. Not a very hard job.

Lane [ l a n e @ t h e r a c e t r a c k . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio & Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

<mul...@x.files> wrote in message news:3BA00D5B...@x.files...

[Box134]

I wish I knew what model and year you're talking about. I had big-time
problems with the ignition key on my '96 SL2. They replaced part of the key
mechanism on warranty. (This was a few years ago.) The new mechanism doesn't
squeeze as hard as the old one.

It's a mechanical problem. Before the cylinder replacement I found that
moving the gearshift through the whole range (on an auto) would free the
key. Finally even this didn't work.

My theory is that the key mechanism clamps the key in while the car is the
"run" setting, for safety. For some reason it doesn't release it when it
should.

I have a different problem now, not being able to get the key in. Sometimes
I'll forget, shut down in drive, and pull out the key. This shouldn't
happen, but the keys are so worn that the mechanism can't retain it. To cure
it I give the cylinder a thump with my palm and the cylinder pops up. I
really need new keys, not ones cut from the old ones, but from scratch.

"M. MacDonald" <mmacd...@bc.com> wrote in message
news:9nnpv1$13hg5$1...@hades.csu.net...

[Mike Galler]

94 SL1. I have the same problem. I find that it does not happen if as I
turn the key to remove it, I push the key inward. This also works from the
accessory position (engine off, radio on). I also notice that my key has
wear markings on it, above the notch in the key as it is inserted into the
cylinder (facing me). The wear extends from the tip of the key to about 1/8
inch from the end of the middle notch, on both sides (I can put it in either
way). The worn area appears yellow or gold, instead of silver. Does anyone
else have these wear markings on their key?

Mike

"M. MacDonald" <mmacd...@bc.com> wrote in message news:<9nnpv1$13hg5$1...@hades.csu.net>...

[alan m.vigeant]

I think all the keys (eventually) have the wear markings. The "color"
you see is the brass material used in making the key.

[LeRoy Williams]

"alan m.vigeant" <alai...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:3BC2DACB...@netscape.net...

[Randy Bilyea]

The key in my 97 SW2 WILL come out...even if it is in the "run" position...I
really don't mind...It allows me to leave it running while I get coffee and
take the keys and lock it with the remote! ;) The key is just so worn down
it will pull right out now. The best solution is to order a NEW key from
saturn, rather than having your already worn key duplicated. Your key
number should be in your roadside assistance package.

Good Luck!

Randy Bilyea
97 SW2
86 Dodge 600 :(

"Mike Galler" <maga...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:143eed6e.01100...@posting.google.com...

[coo...@bright.net]

I've had some difficulty with my key turning when trying to start, felt
like I've had to force it. Now I'm in the opposite position, I can't
get the key out! It is stuck in the accessory position and I left it
in the car last night and obviously had some battery drainage. This
morning the wipers and radio didn't work until the car had ran for a
few minutes. Is there any work around instead of taking this into the
dealer? I've tried messing around with the key and pushing in/pulling
out...turning the steering wheel in different directions...it just
seems to not want to turn...

Thanks,
Alan
92 SL (182k)

In article <Up6x7.15814$jM.19...@news20.bellglobal.com>, Randy Bilyea

[Jay Bollyn]

<coo...@bright.net> wrote in message
news:221020010921206167%coo...@bright.net...

>
> I've had some difficulty with my key turning when trying to start, felt
> like I've had to force it. Now I'm in the opposite position, I can't
> get the key out! It is stuck in the accessory position and I left it
> in the car last night and obviously had some battery drainage. This
> morning the wipers and radio didn't work until the car had ran for a
> few minutes. Is there any work around instead of taking this into the
> dealer? I've tried messing around with the key and pushing in/pulling
> out...turning the steering wheel in different directions...it just
> seems to not want to turn...
>
> Thanks,
> Alan
> 92 SL (182k)

When this happened to me (98 SL2) I just kept at it, like you say jiggle the
steering wheel, push and pull the key in the ignition, etc. It took me about
20 minutes.

After you get the key out, my workaround to avoid the problem in the future
is to pull the key out of the ignition immediately and quickly. Afterward,
you can reinsert the key if that is where you want to keep it, as in a
locked garage.

[coo...@bright.net]

Okay...I called the local Saturn service center earlier in the day and
they suggested continuing to jiggle the key, trying to use some WD-40
and possibly tap on the end of the key to loosen any tumblers that
might be stuck. With the help of a pair of pliars, I did get the key
out (and put the ignition switch back to Lock)! This twisted the key a
bit, but I have 2 others on hand...one that was entirely worn down that
I stopped using about 2 years ago because I could pull it out of the
ignition and I'd still get the "key in the ignition" warning bells.
Anyways, I figured that I should probably work on this tonight since I
had some time...put my overly worn key and tried starting the car. Now
I'm back to where I started in that I can't get back into Lock
again...but I can easily pull this key out of the ignition so at least
it's not a blatent target sitting with the key in the ignition...but
it's still stuck the ACC setting when the car is not running. If I've
turned off the radio, etc...is there much chance of draining the
battery? what else pulls current if everything is turned off on the
dashboard...?

Thanks,
Alan

In article <Bo1B7.96978$P8.34...@news1.elmhst1.il.home.com>, Jay

[LeRoy Williams]

Try "Lock Ease" graphited. Worked for me. Lee

[Mark S]

Since I am a Saturn Tech, I feel it is my duty to say this... If you want
the problem fixed and not have to worry about it again, buy a new ignition
lock cylinder. This should fix it and my parts department always cuts 2 new
keys at no extra cost. If you don't want to pay to have them install it, I
can probably walk you through it if you feel comfortable enough and have the
right tools.

Mark

[coo...@bright.net]

Thanks Mark,

It was only a major problem since I felt strange leaving the key in the
car and worried about the battery with the accessories turned on. Now
that my key is out and I'm becoming comfortable making sure all the
accessories are turned off before walking away...I have some more time
to look at repair options. The nearest Saturn dealer is about an hour
away and their service department is open late one night a week, but
was booked this week. I'm fairly inept at mechanical repairs (and I
thank you for your offer to assist me), so I will probably schedule it
in for repair or have my father who is retired and very mechanically
inclined take a look at it.

Since I have had so few problems with my Saturn SL, I have been a bit
spoiled. 182k and 10 years this past August...I just put on new 80k
tires and intend to drive it until it falls apart...so far mostly that
has been on the inside...the driver's side armrest cracked on top and
has since split open (I knew I should have duct taped it)...but the
Saturn keeps going!

I did a search for new ignition switches and see that they are fairly
inexpensive (like $15)...approximately how much would a replacement
cost me at the dealership?

Thanks for everyone's help,
Alan

In article <BcnB7.13525$3s2.4...@typhoon.kc.rr.com>, Mark S

[Ron Herfurth]

Last winter my 94 SL1 automatic started hanging onto the key but I don't
think it's the cylinder. I think there's a switch on the gear shift so you
can't get the key out unless it's in neutral (of course I could be wrong).
I've had much more luck getting they key out by jiggling the gear shift than
by jiggling the key. It's a lot worse in cold weather and my solution was to
keep one key on my key ring and one key in the car. If it sticks I just make
sure it's in the off position, if it comes out I leave it in the car and
lock it up. So far I haven't had any noticeable battery drainage and no
one's stolen it.

<coo...@bright.net> wrote in message
news:221020010921206167%coo...@bright.net...
>

[Sally]

When we took our 2001 wagon in, the tech took one look at our
bulky/heavy keyrings and warned us to lighten the keyrings or we would
have ignition problems down the road.

Sally
"I use to be Smart then I got married"

"Ron Herfurth" <rg...@virginia.edu> wrote in message news:<9rpp01$3p9$1...@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>...