Key will not come out of ignition once in park. Searched

[98SSE]

I've got a 1998 SSE with 163k on it. Recently the key will not come out of the ignition once I put it in park (Normal Operation). I have to either turn the car off while in drive then pull the key out and put in in park. Or I can turn it off while in park then move it to neutral and remove the key. The key will turn all the way over just before being able to remove it.

Sounds like a brake interlock problem to me. I've did some searches and most people seemed to have tumbler issues, but my key comes out everytime without any issues if I do the "trick" so I dont think that could be it. Any help would be appreciated.

[Pontiac1]

See if the button on the shifter is fully releasing,mine would stick a little and not let the key come out.

[98SSE]

See if the button on the shifter is fully releasing,mine would stick a little and not let the key come out.

I peeled the rubber boot off the old shifter knob and nothing changed, then today I installed a different shift knob with no change as well. I believe I even pulled the knob off before and did it without one and still wouldn't release the key.

I have a brand new tumbler I can install and try out. Been waiting to make sure that is my problem though. Haven't had to much luck on finding out how to remove the air bag. Thanks for the reply.

[1oldman]

Wow! From my experience, I'd say it could be one of four things, or any combination of the four. Shifter knob, tumbler mechanism, interlock and the mechanism in the steering column that the tumbler goes into. I started with the easiest items first, shifter know, tumblers, mechanism in the steering column, interlock. I've never had to work on the inter-lock. First time was the shifter knob, second time was a combination of the tumblers and the mechanism in the steering column. If it's the mechanism in the steering column, I'd recommend visiting the parts department at your "friendly" Chevy dealer for the name and number of the vendor they use to rebuild steering columns. The youngest son did the column for me, so didn't have to use the vendor. Hope you can resolve your problem without too much more trouble. - BC

[98SSE]

Wow! From my experience, I'd say it could be one of four things, or any combination of the four. Shifter knob, tumbler mechanism, interlock and the mechanism in the steering column that the tumbler goes into. I started with the easiest items first, shifter know, tumblers, mechanism in the steering column, interlock. I've never had to work on the inter-lock. First time was the shifter knob, second time was a combination of the tumblers and the mechanism in the steering column. If it's the mechanism in the steering column, I'd recommend visiting the parts department at your "friendly" Chevy dealer for the name and number of the vendor they use to rebuild steering columns. The youngest son did the column for me, so didn't have to use the vendor. Hope you can resolve your problem without too much more trouble. - BC

Thanks for the reply.

The more I think about it the more I believe its the tumbler/column. When I put the car in park and let off the knob I hear a click from behind the dash close to the column. But the fact I can pull the key out while still in drive just throws me off. Every now and then the key will turn over during normal operation, but its getting less and less.

[1oldman]

Wow! From my experience, I'd say it could be one of four things, or any combination of the four. Shifter knob, tumbler mechanism, interlock and the mechanism in the steering column that the tumbler goes into. I started with the easiest items first, shifter know, tumblers, mechanism in the steering column, interlock. I've never had to work on the inter-lock. First time was the shifter knob, second time was a combination of the tumblers and the mechanism in the steering column. If it's the mechanism in the steering column, I'd recommend visiting the parts department at your "friendly" Chevy dealer for the name and number of the vendor they use to rebuild steering columns. The youngest son did the column for me, so didn't have to use the vendor. Hope you can resolve your problem without too much more trouble. - BC

Thanks for the reply.

The more I think about it the more I believe its the tumbler/column. When I put the car in park and let off the knob I hear a click from behind the dash close to the column. But the fact I can pull the key out while still in drive just throws me off. Every now and then the key will turn over during normal operation, but its getting less and less.

Not having a lot of experience with this kind of thing and not being there to examine it, I'd have to agree with you from your description. - BC

[2000Silverbullet]

When the battery died on the Torrent, not only could I not withdraw the key but I could not lock the doors because the locks are electric and not manual from the outside of the vehicle.
Glad it happened at home and not out on the road.

What would happen if the doors were locked and the battery died? Wouldn't be able to open the hood to change the battery!!

[98SSE]

Thanks for the replies. Had some time on my hands in between calls at work today and was messing around with it. Come to find out I no longer have to apply the brake to move the shifter from park to any other gears like it should. I can simply just move the shifter into whatever gear and take off. Seems almost certain that something in the shifter or the brake interlock is acting up. Got to wait it out till saturday due to all the rain we're having this week. Input is always welcomed.

[RJolly87]

The lockout solenoid is easily located and disabled by unplugging it. Mine was up by the brake pedal.

[98SSE]

The lockout solenoid is easily located and disabled by unplugging it. Mine was up by the brake pedal.

Thanks for the response. I'll give that a shot, lately its coming out more and more on its own for whatever reason lol. Had other things to tend to on the ol' gal (Wheel bearing blew out and front struts) recently. Hope to try and work on it this weekend.

[wolverine9827]

The lockout solenoid is easily located and disabled by unplugging it. Mine was up by the brake pedal.

Thanks for the response. I'll give that a shot, lately its coming out more and more on its own for whatever reason lol. Had other things to tend to on the ol' gal (Wheel bearing blew out and front struts) recently. Hope to try and work on it this weekend.

I'm having the exact same issue on my 98 SE - did you manage to fix this and what was the cause?

Thanks