[Jacquie]

Hi all,

I'm hoping you can help me. My 1998 Grand Prix has an issue with the ignition, I think. Twice we have tried to start the car and the car has completely died -- the entire electric system has shut down. The first time, we were able to start the car with no issues. This morning, we cannot get the key out of the ignition.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Do you have any ideas what might be wrong?
I appreciate any assistance you can give us.

[russlaferrera]

If it is very cold outside your lock may be frozen. The grease gets thick and binds the linkage.

Try a hair dryer to thaw out the lock. Make sure the key is in the off position and it should come out. Then squirt some lock lube in there to keep it from reoccurring....russ

[vettedreams2001]

The only time that I have ran into that issue was because the ignition switch went out and needed replaced so it locks the key in there. That was on quite a few older chevy trucks. Is the battery dead or perhaps some wires are corroded. I'd start with the battery and then once fully charged attempt to start. In the meantime check out prices on ignition switches, farely easy to replace. By the way when you say "the entire electric system has shut down", no headlights or emergency flashers?

[1969NovaSS]

I would check things in this order:
1. check the battery
2. Heat the swith with a heat gun or hair dryer
3. Tap the key with a hammer (the tumblers inside sometimes get stuck and this will free them.

[docvette]

Doc here,

Try jerking the wheel back and forth while trying to cycle the key...if the linkage is stuck, this sometimes will loosen the tumbler assembly, If that won't do it, try the same with the shifter...

DON"T use oils or heat, you'll just further gum up the works and / or melt wire or plastic parts, IF you need lube, USE GRAPHITE only..

Sounds like the tumbler assembly, OR the column linkage between it and the switch is past runout OR is out of adjustment..you'll need to repair or replace it.

Doc

[locknkey]

These ignitions are fine, the key is designed to stay in the ignition to "tell" the owner that there is a problem with the starting circuit....thus dead or low/weak battery. Common solution is to replace witha fully charged battery, cycle the key with it in the on position for 10 min, 3 times and then remove the key. All assy's including lights will have to be off. You are not the only one that has had this kind of problem....and I get calls like these all the time. Even after they broken the key in the lock.

[vettedreams2001]

Any luck with the car??

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

If it's anything like the GrandAm I had, the key goes in the dash... as Doc said use graphite lubricant ONLY, oils will gum up the tiny mechanical parts in the locks once a little dirt gets down in there

Same applies with exterior door locks.

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

Originally Posted by locknkey

These ignitions are fine, the key is designed to stay in the ignition to "tell" the owner that there is a problem with the starting circuit....thus dead or low/weak battery. Common solution is to replace witha fully charged battery, cycle the key with it in the on position for 10 min, 3 times and then remove the key. All assy's including lights will have to be off. You are not the only one that has had this kind of problem....and I get calls like these all the time. Even after they broken the key in the lock.

/\sounds like something GM would have in their later models.