Key won't turn in ignition

SallySky · 06-15-2009, 04:20 PM

I am writing this as I wait for AAA to come tow the car to the dealership. I am parked in the hospital underground lot in the area where there is only 5'10" clearance and a garage where you have to do some serious turning to get out. Car was fine this morning no problems with the key or anything. I got in to start it and the steering is locked. Key wont budge. I tried turning the wheel in both directions as hard as I could. I tried all that the dealer said to try....

LilRedGXP · 06-15-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SallySky

I am writing this as I wait for AAA to come tow the car to the dealership. I am parked in the hospital underground lot in the area where there is only 5'10" clearance and a garage where you have to do some serious turning to get out. Car was fine this morning no problems with the key or anything. I got in to start it and the steering is locked. Key wont budge. I tried turning the wheel in both directions as hard as I could. I tried all that the dealer said to try....

Not sure if this is the same issue but check out this thread on the Solstice side... key won't turn - Pontiac Solstice Forum

Good luck.

Bogie · 06-15-2009, 09:37 PM

Could be several things, but the wheel turn lock is the most common I've heard about.

Beats me whether this is a design flaw, a supplier flaw, or what? GM seems to have a problem with this happening. I actually take the extra step during parking to adjust my position so that my wheels are straight before turning vehicle off. Shouldn't have to do that, but I've heard enough stories like this not to take chances.

That said, it could also be a defective lock (more so than than the defect in design).

Leather · 06-15-2009, 11:11 PM

Any chance you were using the wrong key

I woulda thought turning the wheel woulda been the fix.

Let us know what the dealer says!

bamanick · 06-16-2009, 07:14 AM

Posted this in a "venting"' thread a few days ago: I had a problem with my ignition switch - it wouldn't shut off. Dealer had it 3 days to replace the switch.

SallySky · 06-16-2009, 07:27 AM

Well after several hours of trying AAA specifically "Speedy Towing" got me out of the garage and to the dealer. It was too late for service to be open so I need to call them this morning. Pics of Sally's ordeal attached.

MidniteBlues · 06-16-2009, 04:21 PM

Always a sad thing to see..

SallySky · 06-17-2009, 02:59 PM

Yes, It was very sad to watch. But she is all fixed now they lubricated the cylinder.

Ron Lebert · 06-17-2009, 03:44 PM

Bogie is correct. GM has had this problem for a long time. First time I had this happen was in 1980 on my brother in laws Trans /Am. You must turn the steering wheel into the back pressure of the steering system. This could be left or right, but usually in the direction that the wheels are turned, Turn the wheel more in to the turn.this takes the pressure off the ignition key.When you feel it release turn the key. Just for fun, this can also happen when you try to remove the key. Just repeat this procedure. I have never had this happen on a manual transmission car. What tranny do you have?

SallySky · 06-17-2009, 04:01 PM

Manual. The dealer said they took a hammer to the cylinder to get it to unlock. I tried to do that as well but I was afraid of breaking something and then voiding my warranty.

Ron Lebert · 06-17-2009, 05:14 PM

That is really odd. Something in the cylinder must have come undone.

TunerTools · 06-26-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SallySky

I am writing this as I wait for AAA to come tow the car to the dealership. I am parked in the hospital underground lot in the area where there is only 5'10" clearance and a garage where you have to do some serious turning to get out. Car was fine this morning no problems with the key or anything. I got in to start it and the steering is locked. Key wont budge. I tried turning the wheel in both directions as hard as I could. I tried all that the dealer said to try....

Same thing just happened to our 2009 Sky. Steering wheel is locked and key won't turn. Same thing happened to our sons 2005 GTO just two weeks ago.

marlboromike · 06-26-2009, 09:05 PM

the problem is the color..u bought a bluestone.

Redline Linda · 10-02-2009, 04:15 PM

The same thing has happened to me twice now.

The first time, about 4 months ago. Saturn replaced the ignition switch then and today it happened again. This time the tow truck driver sprayed WD 40 inside the switch, put the key in and smacked it with a hammer

, shook the stearing wheel while turning the key and it unlocked and started. I'm taking it back to Saturn on Monday to have them look at it again. This is beginning to get very frustrating.

Makes me wonder if I'm going to have to start carrying a hammer and can of WD 40 with me when I go anywhere.

AliMS · 02-06-2011, 11:17 PM

Good to know I'm not crazy. I drive the car get in to leave and the damned ignition won't turn. The battery's not dead it lights up but I just can't get the ignition to turn.It's happened to me twice now.My husband banged and yanked and everything else & it finally started for him. But now I won't even drive the damn thing.He drives it now and says it doesn't do it to him which is not really the thing to say to your wife.So for anyone who has heard you used the wrong key(yeh like I didn't think of that) it's not just you.