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KEY IGNITION PROBLEM
Sent to Car Experts December 26 02:33 AM

I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND I CAN STICK THE KEY I THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL IT WONT EVEN TURN TO THE ACC. POSTION,IT JUST WONT TURN AT ALL,WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $2
Answer
December 27 1:49 AM (23 hours and 15 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
The ignition lock cylinder is probably the culprit. In order to replace it the steering wheel needs to be removed and the lock plate and turn signal switch needs to be removed.
Rich -- Auto Mechanic -- No feedback on 2 Car accepts
Auto Electrical Specialist
Reply
December 27 2:42 AM (52 minutes and 52 seconds later)
         
Reply to Rich's Post: the key switch isnt on the column it is on the dash it is a 1999 pontiac grand am se.Im also a mechanic,but I have never came across this problem.so I dont under stand why the steering wheel ,the lock plate and the turn signal needs to be removed.That does not make sense.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
December 27 12:33 PM (9 hours and 50 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         
Sorry, but I am not familiar with the ignition switch in the dash. I was assuming the switch was in the column.

I did some research and found more info. This description of the problem was not exactly like yours but I thought it was similar enough that it might help. "When you go to shut the car off,the key goes to the "off" position, but will not return to the "lock" position (so that the key can be removed). After pumping the brake pedal several times, the ignition lock can be turned to the "lock" position, and the key can be removed. it has a floor shift, which seems to operate properly."

Here is the fix: "Replaced shifter assembly. When squeezing the shifter repeatedly, the solenoid in the column would 'hang up' once in a while."

I also found out that this is very common on the `97 to present Grand Prixs and Grand Ams w/floor shifted automatic trans. The lock release solenoid/actuators on the shifter assembly often fails. This is not a replacable part. The complete shifter assembly needs to be replaced. The only way you can get this part is to buy the whole shifter.
Rich -- Auto Mechanic -- No feedback on 2 Car accepts
Auto Electrical Specialist
Answer
December 27 12:41 PM (8 minutes and 27 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
    It sounds like one of the lock tumblers is stuck or hanging up. Use WD-40 with the straw and spray into the ignition switch. Work the key in and out of the switch and spray again. It should loosen up the tumblers and allow the key to work.
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