The key is stuck in the ignition of my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, but it will start and I can turn it off. How can I get they key out?
by 
John Jones
ANSWERS: 7
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One method may be to inject a lubricant like WD-40 into the ignition switch. It won't hurt anything as the real ignition switch with the electrical components are actually located lower down on the steering column closer to your feet. The mechanical switch operates a long steel rod that works the switch. Try a lubricant or different types and if this does not work I would think your alternative would be to have a locksmith use picks on it to remove it. If this is a success, I would then have someone you know or yourself use a wire wheel to deburr the key, as this is probably why it got stuck in the first place. First generation keys work flawlessly, but after copies are made from copies, from copies, etc. keys will tend to stick or not work at all. I believe this is your case.
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My wife's 98 Pontiac Grand Prix has the same problem. There is a manual key release under the steering column. You need to stick something thin like a pen up into the hole to release it. There are two possible problems one is the contacts on the shifter that checks to see if your in park and the other is the ignition cylinder is worn out. If it is the contacts on your shifter, I would take your center console apart and clean the contacts on the park switch. If it is the ignition cylinder you could try replacing it, but you need to re-key the new ignition cylinder. Therefore I recommend going to the dealer for this one.
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I am dealing with this issue right now, on the bottom of the steering box cover is s small square knock out, or you can take the cover completely off with a 7MM socket, either way there is a switch there, just push it with a screwdriver or with your finger if the cover is off, it loosk like a small gold plunger. at least that way you wont have the recharge the battery all the time, when I find the correct fix, I'll post
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I was having the same problem today. (1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE). This site was very handy. I used a 7mm socket as mentioned above to take off 3 screws but the cover still wouldn't come off. It was just loose enough so I tilted the steering wheel up and put my fingers at the bottom in between the dash and the loose cover. I felt around for the round manual release switch and found it. There is a rectangular slot for a screwdriver on the cover but you need to know that the screwdriver must be inserted in pointing away from you and then tilt it towards you to press the release button.
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the floor shift,shifter release button triggers a safety solinoid to make sure your in park before the key will go into the lock position.# 1 you need a hot battery,# 2 if the solinoid next to ign. switch is good ,the release button isn't comming completly out in the floor shift stick,you should be able to here the solinoid clicking when you squees and release the button,if not solinoid probley bad.
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My 1997 pontiac grand am showed no signs of any problems...One day last week I go to start it and all the dash board lites and gauges go crazy...I get nothing from the car...no crank nothing... then I cant get the key to return back to remove it!!! After 5 mintues I get the key out....well after doing everthing I've read about the button to remove the key and the soliniod and all the other good stuff and thinking it may be related to the recall in 2002 about the ignition switch...I was ready to do the switch...untill I remembered reading about how these cars will not operat properly without the correct voltage reading off the battery....even thought you car may start ,,,,try replacing the battery...I put in a new one and all my problems were gone.
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I CAN NOT GET MY KEY OUT
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