1998 Saturn SL2, ignition key will not turn or come out.

[Stampede]

Here is my issue, when I turn the car off, and leave the key in the ignition more then 10 secs, the key gets stuck, cannot turn or remove the key. Most of the time I can get to come out, but now I cant. This is what it is doing right now, I can move the steering wheel from left to right, most of the times, sometimes it locks, then it will unlock after turning it. The key has been stuck for a day now, I'm thinking its the ignition module, so how can I bypass this, so I can remove the key?

 

Thanks.

[acklac7]

so how can I bypass this, so I can remove the key?

 

 

Try disconnecting the battery.

[Buck531]

Look under the steering column I know some GM's had a key lock hole that you can stick a key or a screw driver in there to put the key back to off.

[Farkas]

Ignition cylinder... common problem.

[verse]

You'll need an ignition cylinder and housing. Cylinder most likely came apart inside the housing. Pretty common on those.

[Stampede]

So, do I need to beat, / cut the tab off for the cylinder lock , and can I get a cylinder lock to much the factory one?

 

Thanks.

[BoostedAce]

you will need it to be in acc position and there will be a hole you need to stick a pick in and pull lock cylinder out by key.

[twistedfocus1647545489]

Might sound silly, but have you tried pushing in on the key as you rotate it to the remove position?

 

The wife's SC1 is a bit janky in that you need to push in on the key and make a smooth sweep all the way to the off position or it sticks in the middle. If that "technique" doesn't work, you probably need a new cylinder as others have suggested.

[Stampede]

I'm unable to remove the key, and unable to rotate the key in either direction, that's why I asked if I will have grind the tab off that holds the key cylinder in.

 

Thanks.

[AJ]

Tap on the end of the key with a screwdriver handle while trying to turn it off. Of the hundreds I've done on all GM's this has worked for me 99.9% of the time. Then replace the ignition cylinder.

[verse]

So, do I need to beat, / cut the tab off for the cylinder lock , and can I get a cylinder lock to much the factory one?

 

Thanks.

 

You can get a cylinder to fit the factory one from a GM dealer. They code it for you for like $50. You get the key code and the tumbler sequence and I'll build it for $10 for you. It's not difficult. You'll need a new key cut off the VIN from a dealer as well.

 

I worked at Saturn for 5 years doing this stuff.

 

Does it not turn either way? It just stays in the ON position? You might be able to get it out of the housing if it's in the on position.

[Stampede]

The key is stuck in the off position, and will not rotate forward or backward.

 

Stampede.