Key hard to release. HELP!

**transamdan** · 01-16-2007, 06:16 AM

i just bought a automatic 2001 WS6. no problems until yesterday when i parked the car and went to turn the key OFF the key would not turn all the way back and i had to force the ignition to turn back in order to get the key out. now when i put the key in it feels like the ignition is really tight and my key will not turn backwards (like to just have the radio on but car not running) at all. and everytime i want to get my key out i have to force the ignition to turn back. i was thinking maybe it was the sensor in the tranny that tells it when its in park, so i pushed it park real good a few times but it still didnt cure the problem. Any help would be really appreitated guys!!

**fastassbird05** · 01-16-2007, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by transamdan

i just bought a automatic 2001 WS6. no problems until yesterday when i parked the car and went to turn the key OFF the key would not turn all the way back and i had to force the ignition to turn back in order to get the key out. now when i put the key in it feels like the ignition is really tight and my key will not turn backwards (like to just have the radio on but car not running) at all. and everytime i want to get my key out i have to force the ignition to turn back. i was thinking maybe it was the sensor in the tranny that tells it when its in park, so i pushed it park real good a few times but it still didnt cure the problem. Any help would be really appreitated guys!!

I had this same problem with my 98 trans am the ignition would turn back but the key would not release and no matter what I did the key wouldn't come out. I have one question did you turn off the car in drive or neutral at any time? I had that problem after I turned off my car in neutral. And a couple of times after that the same thing kept happening. Then all of a sudden it just stopped getting stuck? Its really weird you had the exact same problem.....I wish I knew exactly but my gut tells me was wrong but I think you might have activated a anti theft switch.

**transamdan** · 01-16-2007, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by fastassbird05

I had this same problem with my 98 trans am the ignition would turn back but the key would not release and no matter what I did the key wouldn't come out. I have one question did you turn off the car in drive or neutral at any time? I had that problem after I turned off my car in neutral. And a couple of times after that the same thing kept happening. Then all of a sudden it just stopped getting stuck? Its really weird you had the exact same problem.....I wish I knew exactly but my gut tells me was wrong but I think you might have activated a anti theft switch.

thanks for the reply!
i dont recall turning the car off in neutral. but i think you could be right about activating the anti-theft, because a few times since i have got the car the alarm has went off when i get into it and i have just stuck the key in it and turned the key over to make it go off. Anyone have a clue on how to reset the anti-theft system??

**MapleredT/a** · 01-16-2007, 02:40 PM

maybe the tumblers in the cylinder are worn out or maybe the key itself. Im not to sure what to tell you though. Good luck i hope it works out for you.

98T/Aformula · 01-16-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by MapleredT/a

maybe the tumblers in the cylinder are worn out or maybe the key itself. Im not to sure what to tell you though. Good luck i hope it works out for you.

Im pretty sure its the tumbler I had to replace mine, at first it was doing what your were saying then it just droped and I couldnt put my key in it and had to get it towed, thankfully it happened in my garage, but look into it before you get stuck in a parking lot and have to wait for a tow truck for five hours.

**transamdan** · 01-21-2007, 10:39 AM

i figured out if i just press the brake extra hard when i put it in park it seems to work fine, must be some sort of sensor. oh well at least it's working