key gets stuck

[Black_shadow]

92 camaro

SOME times not all times i will turn it over... it will start fine then when i go to shut it off it wont let me turn the key back so the only thing i can do to turn it off is push the key forward grinding the strarter and turn it back....?


anybody have this problem before?

[Akodo]

Well, I had something similar where it wouldn't let me turn the key FORWARD until I rocked it back and forth a few times. I bought something from Autozone, I think it was called Magic Key or something like that, which was basically a lube you sprayed onto your key then worked the lock like 6 or 7 times to get it all limbered up. Never had the problem again, which they said was caused by sticky tumblers.

[1qwikSS]

that cant be good! i had a car where it froze up in the off position and wouldn't turn on. I ended up breaking the latch off and all that was left was a slot for the key, but you could start the car by sticking anything into the slot...key, screwdriver, dime etc.. lol

good luck tho hope you figure it out!

[Black_shadow]

thanks maybe ill try that magic key thing

[Darren]

Yeah Eric I didnt think of the majic lock stuff, I used some of that in one of my door lock cylinders. Try that it could be a easy fix that way!

[camarochick16]

i hope that fixes it, because I don't like hearing that when I'm sitting in the driver seat

[meissen]

Is it that it won't let the key out of the ignition cylinder until you wiggle it a few times or that you can't turn the engine off?

[JoeliusZ28]

thanks for making this thread, mine has been having the same problem. has scared me a couple times.

[camarochick16]

I think the key won't go backwards (you know when you turn it off)... so he has to turn it foward a few times (grinds the starter) and then can turn it backwards...


at least that's what I saw.

[meissen]

If it won't go back far enough to let the key out, then it's a solenoid that's in the gear shifter - I was dealing with a sticky solenoid when I swapped shifter assemblies a couple months or so ago.

[JoeliusZ28]

If it won't go back far enough to let the key out, then it's a solenoid that's in the gear shifter - I was dealing with a sticky solenoid when I swapped shifter assemblies a couple months or so ago.

not necessarily - my car doesnt have that solenoid with an M6 and i still have to really wiggle my key around to get it to turn back.

[MP81]

Maybe it has to do with the wheel locking.

[JoeliusZ28]

Maybe it has to do with the wheel locking.

that definitely can happen but not my case either.

[Black_shadow]

ok picture this... you start the car by pushing the key forward... it stays forward while running when i go to turn it off the key is locked in the start position...will not move back what so ever.. so in order for me to get it back i have to grind the starter by pushing the key forward and if i get lucky the car will shut off....

only sometimes tho not everysingle time

im puzzled?

[98blackbeauty]

Ok depends if you have an auto or stick. If its a stick there is a button that you push down to release the key. If its an auto there is a solenoid down under the gear selector indicator. It can get sticky and not release the key. the gear selector must get fully into park for key release.