Mechanics inside...

Uthinkso

Forum Member
My wife ran to the Horton's for coffee this morning and upon return wasn't able to remove the key from the ignition. She told me that this has happened before and she just puts it back in gear and slams into park (floor shifter) and then it releases the key. I went outside and ran it through all the basic, turn the wheel, start it and put it in gear business and the key is stuck in the ignition.

Before I get too far, I'll mention that is a 99 GMC Jimmy. My guess is that the park lock solenoid either has failed or isn't getting sufficient voltage or ground. Just as a potential quick fix, I'm going to clean the battery contacts as I've seen certain solenoids flake out before due to bad contact at the battery.

Anyone else have any ideas? TIA
 
turn the key into the first position. the notch just before the on position. she should be able to put it in neutral . From there she can start the car and put in in drive.
 
there is a solenoid in the column that sticks, it's only purpose is to keep the key from turning to off and being removed when the shifter is out of park

if you pull the cover off the bottom of the column, it is white colored, on the bottom, on the ignition side of the column

I removed mine and a buddies, for the exact same issues, no issues with having it removed, and it has been off mine for 2 years
 
turn the key into the first position. the notch just before the on position. she should be able to put it in neutral . From there she can start the car and put in in drive.

the issue is the key not coming out of the ignition, reading is fundamental
 
there is a solenoid in the column that sticks, it's only purpose is to keep the key from turning to off and being removed when the shifter is out of park

if you pull the cover off the bottom of the column, it is white colored, on the bottom, on the ignition side of the column

I removed mine and a buddies, for the exact same issues, no issues with having it removed, and it has been off mine for 2 years

This is what I wanted to hear. I looked at a schematic online and the diagram had a brief description that said, "prevents key removal".

I get the safety shit, but I'm not gonna drop a bunch of jack on the damn thing. Out to the garage I go. I assume you just un-plugged it and removed the solenoid?
 
This is what I wanted to hear. I looked at a schematic online and the diagram had a brief description that said, "prevents key removal".

I get the safety shit, but I'm not gonna drop a bunch of jack on the damn thing. Out to the garage I go. I assume you just un-plugged it and removed the solenoid?

correct
 
Also any pics of wife in anything other than everyday clothes will help us as well!!!!:rooster::sagrin: I kid
 
I am not sure if the Jimmy's have this but the Grand Am, underneath the column there is a small plastic plug that can be removed and a pen can be inserted to overide the solenoid. I have seen the wires break by the switch at the shifter causing this problem.
 
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