Key Will Not Come Out of Ignition

"Doug Miller" > wrote in message
. net...
> In article <209Bh.6591$2%1.3876@trndny02>, "Mike" > wrote:
>>Hi, I've got a '92 Saturn LS1 w/ a 110K. This evening after I parked it
>>and
>>turned the ignition off the steering will not lock and the key can not be
>>removed from the ignition lock. How can I get the key out of the lock
>>and
>>lock the steering wheel?
>
> First, apply gentle pressure to the key to turn it in the proper
> direction.
> Next, turn the steering wheel as far as you can in one direction, then as
> far
> as you can in the other direction. At some point in that travel, you'll be
> able to lock the column and withdraw the key.
I tried that but it didn't work. The key stopped turning altogether. Too
late I realized the key was stuck in Accesory position which drained the
battery. It get much worse no tow truck company would come to tow the car
because it was in a commerical garage w/ 7' ceilings and a tight corkscrew
shaped exit ramp. . Finally GIECO located a towing company w/ a small tow
truck w/ wheel lift which got the car out in <20 minutes.

"Doug Miller" > wrote in message
. net...
> In article <209Bh.6591$2%1.3876@trndny02>, "Mike" > wrote:
>>Hi, I've got a '92 Saturn LS1 w/ a 110K. This evening after I parked it
>>and
>>turned the ignition off the steering will not lock and the key can not be
>>removed from the ignition lock. How can I get the key out of the lock
>>and
>>lock the steering wheel?
>
> First, apply gentle pressure to the key to turn it in the proper
> direction.
> Next, turn the steering wheel as far as you can in one direction, then as
> far
> as you can in the other direction. At some point in that travel, you'll be
> able to lock the column and withdraw the key.
>Picked up my car today $490.00 total; bill. First they called stating
>$285.00 for a new cylinder
then they called back stating the cylinder was stuck in the "tunnel" and I
had to buy a new "tunnel" for $105.00
the they called again stating thwe battery won't hold a charge and they'll
put in a 5year 750 amp battery for $80.00
$20.00 installation. Bottom line $490.00

"Mike" > wrote in message
news:CmPCh.4016$_O1.3737@trndny04...
>
> "Doug Miller" > wrote in message
> . net...
>> In article <209Bh.6591$2%1.3876@trndny02>, "Mike" > wrote:
>>>Hi, I've got a '92 Saturn LS1 w/ a 110K. This evening after I parked it
>>>and
>>>turned the ignition off the steering will not lock and the key can not be
>>>removed from the ignition lock. How can I get the key out of the lock
>>>and
>>>lock the steering wheel?
>>
>> First, apply gentle pressure to the key to turn it in the proper
>> direction.
>> Next, turn the steering wheel as far as you can in one direction, then as
>> far
>> as you can in the other direction. At some point in that travel, you'll
>> be
>> able to lock the column and withdraw the key.
>>Picked up my car today $490.00 total; bill. First they called stating
>>$285.00 for a new cylinder
> then they called back stating the cylinder was stuck in the "tunnel" and I
> had to buy a new "tunnel" for $105.00
> the they called again stating thwe battery won't hold a charge and they'll
> put in a 5year 750 amp battery for $80.00
> $20.00 installation. Bottom line $490.00

Ouch! That is one reason why I started doing all the repair work that I
could handle. My basic philosophy was to get an estimate on any repair job,
do the job myself and spend the difference on tools (as required). Built up
a good inventory of tools over the years.

Years ago, I had a Ford wagon that the ignition cylinder jammed while out in
the boonies. Luckily I had the tool box with me. Found the cylinder was a
loss so pulled the steering wheel but couldn't remove the cylinder without
getting it to rotate to the unlock position. Since the column lock was
against the steering wheel instead of the shaft, I just cut the pushrod
between the lock and the actual switch (easy to repair later with a sleeve).
Was able to reach in and push the rod to start the car and drove home sans
steering wheel - with a vise grip on the steering shaft. Next morning, had
to drill out the cylinder. Got a new cylinder and stopped by a locksmith on
the way home to get it re-keyed to match the OEM locks. Annoying and a bit
involved but all worked out well.

"Oppie" > wrote in message
.. .

>
> Ouch! That is one reason why I started doing all the repair work that I
> could handle. My basic philosophy was to get an estimate on any repair
> job, do the job myself and spend the difference on tools (as required).
> Built up a good inventory of tools over the years.
>
> Years ago, I had a Ford wagon that the ignition cylinder jammed while out
> in the boonies. Luckily I had the tool box with me. Found the cylinder was
> a loss so pulled the steering wheel but couldn't remove the cylinder
> without getting it to rotate to the unlock position. Since the column lock
> was against the steering wheel instead of the shaft, I just cut the
> pushrod between the lock and the actual switch (easy to repair later with
> a sleeve). Was able to reach in and push the rod to start the car and
> drove home sans steering wheel - with a vise grip on the steering shaft.
> Next morning, had to drill out the cylinder. Got a new cylinder and
> stopped by a locksmith on the way home to get it re-keyed to match the OEM
> locks. Annoying and a bit involved but all worked out well.

I hear you but it's the auto I have and I needed to get out of that rental
car.

>
>

My 1994 Saturn SC2 key is often hard to remove from the ignition.
Whenever it won't come out readily, I have been able to get it out by
pushing the key in and turning clockwise again, as if I were starting
the car. Then while pressing the key into the lock the whole time, I
can turn it back counter clockwise to off and pull it out in one motion.
I also have to make sure that the steering wheel is positioned
correctly too. It's kind of a "feel" thing that I had to practice. I
first got the car for my son, and he figured it out. When I started
driving the car, he had to show me how to do it.
--Roger


James1549 wrote:
> My '92 did the same thing several years ago. I couldn't get the key
> out, the tumbler wouldn't turn in any direction. It was locked into
> accessory postition and I was about 10 miles from home. I went into
> the store and bought some WD40 and tried everything I knew. Finally I
> had it towed home. I went to Saturn, got a new tumbler keyed to my old
> one. It took me about 2 hours to change it out. There are 3 screws in
> the column that must be drilled out to gain access.
>
>>From my understanding at Saturn, this is a very common problem on the
> aging Saturn S series cars. I am sure I will do it again someday if I
> keep the car long enough.
>
> James
>

For what it's worth...
When things start to stick, don't use WD-40. It leaves practically no
lubricating film after it evaporates. Not bad though for flushing out if
there is debris. I prefer to use a drop or two of Dexron ATF for lube. It
will never gum like motor oil and leaves behind a long lasting lubricating
film. If you want less film, mix 50/50 with kerosene. The kero evaporates
after it helps the atf creep into smaller spots. You will have to wipe off
your key before putting it in your pocket for a while but it does work
nicely!
Oppie

"Roger Bolan" > wrote in message
. ..
> My 1994 Saturn SC2 key is often hard to remove from the ignition. Whenever
> it won't come out readily, I have been able to get it out by pushing the
> key in and turning clockwise again, as if I were starting the car. Then
> while pressing the key into the lock the whole time, I can turn it back
> counter clockwise to off and pull it out in one motion. I also have to
> make sure that the steering wheel is positioned correctly too. It's kind
> of a "feel" thing that I had to practice. I first got the car for my son,
> and he figured it out. When I started driving the car, he had to show me
> how to do it.
> --Roger
>
>
> James1549 wrote:
>> My '92 did the same thing several years ago. I couldn't get the key
>> out, the tumbler wouldn't turn in any direction. It was locked into
>> accessory postition and I was about 10 miles from home. I went into
>> the store and bought some WD40 and tried everything I knew. Finally I
>> had it towed home. I went to Saturn, got a new tumbler keyed to my old
>> one. It took me about 2 hours to change it out. There are 3 screws in
>> the column that must be drilled out to gain access.
>>
>>>From my understanding at Saturn, this is a very common problem on the
>> aging Saturn S series cars. I am sure I will do it again someday if I
>> keep the car long enough.
>>
>> James
>>

"Oppie" > wrote in message
.. .
> For what it's worth...
> When things start to stick, don't use WD-40. It leaves practically no
> lubricating film after it evaporates. Not bad though for flushing out if
> there is debris. I prefer to use a drop or two of Dexron ATF for lube. It
> will never gum like motor oil and leaves behind a long lasting lubricating
> film. If you want less film, mix 50/50 with kerosene. The kero evaporates
> after it helps the atf creep into smaller spots. You will have to wipe off
> your key before putting it in your pocket for a while but it does work
> nicely!
> Oppie
>
> "Roger Bolan" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> My 1994 Saturn SC2 key is often hard to remove from the ignition.
>> Whenever it won't come out readily, I have been able to get it out by
>> pushing the key in and turning clockwise again, as if I were starting the
>> car. Then while pressing the key into the lock the whole time, I can
>> turn it back counter clockwise to off and pull it out in one motion. I
>> also have to make sure that the steering wheel is positioned correctly
>> too. It's kind of a "feel" thing that I had to practice. I first got
>> the car for my son, and he figured it out. When I started driving the
>> car, he had to show me how to do it.
>> --Roger
>>
>>
>> James1549 wrote:
>>> My '92 did the same thing several years ago. I couldn't get the key
>>> out, the tumbler wouldn't turn in any direction. It was locked into
>>> accessory postition and I was about 10 miles from home. I went into
>>> the store and bought some WD40 and tried everything I knew. Finally I
>>> had it towed home. I went to Saturn, got a new tumbler keyed to my old
>>> one. It took me about 2 hours to change it out. There are 3 screws in
>>> the column that must be drilled out to gain access.
>>>
>>>>From my understanding at Saturn, this is a very common problem on the
>>> aging Saturn S series cars. I am sure I will do it again someday if I
>>> keep the car long enough.
>>>
>>> James
>>>
>
>

"Oppie" > wrote in message
.. .
> For what it's worth...
> When things start to stick, don't use WD-40. It leaves practically no
> lubricating film after it evaporates. Not bad though for flushing out if
> there is debris. I prefer to use a drop or two of Dexron ATF for lube. It
> will never gum like motor oil and leaves behind a long lasting lubricating
> film. If you want less film, mix 50/50 with kerosene. The kero evaporates
> after it helps the atf creep into smaller spots. You will have to wipe off
> your key before putting it in your pocket for a while but it does work
> nicely!
> Oppie
>
> "Roger Bolan" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> My 1994 Saturn SC2 key is often hard to remove from the ignition.
>> Whenever it won't come out readily, I have been able to get it out by
>> pushing the key in and turning clockwise again, as if I were starting the
>> car. Then while pressing the key into the lock the whole time, I can
>> turn it back counter clockwise to off and pull it out in one motion. I
>> also have to make sure that the steering wheel is positioned correctly
>> too. It's kind of a "feel" thing that I had to practice. I first got
>> the car for my son, and he figured it out. When I started driving the
>> car, he had to show me how to do it.
>> --Roger
>>
>>
>> James1549 wrote:
>>> My '92 did the same thing several years ago. I couldn't get the key
>>> out, the tumbler wouldn't turn in any direction. It was locked into
>>> accessory postition and I was about 10 miles from home. I went into
>>> the store and bought some WD40 and tried everything I knew. Finally I
>>> had it towed home. I went to Saturn, got a new tumbler keyed to my old
>>> one. It took me about 2 hours to change it out. There are 3 screws in
>>> the column that must be drilled out to gain access.
>>>
>>>>From my understanding at Saturn, this is a very common problem on the
>>> aging Saturn S series cars. I am sure I will do it again someday if I
>>> keep the car long enough.
>>>
>>> James

Wish I could've done that.

> >Picked up my car today $490.00 total; bill. First they called stating
> >$285.00 for a new cylinder
> then they called back stating the cylinder was stuck in the "tunnel" and I
> had to buy a new "tunnel" for $105.00

Wow, that is really high for the cylinder.

A year ago while in a junkyard getting the plastic covers that go over the
lock, I grabbed the cylinder with the key for a couple of bucks. It saved
me last summer when the cylinder that I had re-keyed by a locksmith screwed
up. I was able to pop it out, put in my junkyard one and get going in just
a few minutes. Turns out the locksmith had done something wrong, she fixed
it and I was swapped the cylinders a few days later.

The reason that I had the cylinder re-keyed, along with the doors and trunk
is because I have two Saturns in the family and they both use the same key
now.

-David

"James1549" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>From my understanding at Saturn, this is a very common problem on the
> aging Saturn S series cars. I am sure I will do it again someday if I
> keep the car long enough.
>
It didn't even need to be aging. My 96SL2 gave me that problem in the first
year and a half, and then another episode a couple of years later. The first
time they had the car four days waiting for a part. The new tumbler was a
redesigned model which didn't grip the key so tightly. Both times they
repaired it on warranty. It's been around 7 or 8 years since I've had a
problem with it. I suppose it's so worn by now it's not likely to happen
again.