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Ignition key not turning? (Stuck)

Tiny
C THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 80,000 MILES
Is there something beside the ignition. Lock cylinder that would keep the key from turning? Key is stuck in on pos. 09 cobalt car won't turn off. Pulled fuse to kill engine
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 7:20 PM

47 Replies

Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
If its stuck and wont turn the key cylinder is bad. Here are the instructions on how to replace the key and tumbler int he diagrams below. Also when you get the new key go to the dealer so they can program it for you, please bring your VIN number. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
WTWRGATES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT
Electrical problem
2008 Chevy Cobalt Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Key is stuck in the run position. I put shifter in multiple postitions, turned steering wheel in all positions and pressed on brake pedal in different scenerios. Had to take fuse out to get car to shut off
Battery has run dead. Key will not turn back
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Check out our tips on this common issue at https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_wont_my_ignition_switch_turn.htm
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGELEVE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 47,000 MILES
My car still runs when key is removed, now the anti theft light came on, we tried the white button under the steering wheel already. We have the cover off but cannot get the key hole to turn back. Battery is unplugged, when it is plugged up it is stuck in the accesory position. So it starts but wont turn off when key is removed is there anyway I can do to fix it myself, funds are not there for a repair bill.

I had a friend that said most likely I'm going to have to go to the dealership to get it fixed, because your springs that's in the inside of the ignition is out of place its only about three hundred no more than four hundred dollars to get it fixed. Does that sound about right?
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
I hate to say it, but the fact that the security light is on tells me there is more involved. You may actually save money by having it checked with the proper test equipment at a dealer.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FULLERT8609
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT
My wife took the key out of my 2007 cobalt in the auxiliary position and now it will only go in half way. Is there a. Way to fix this? Thanks in advance
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FULLERT8609
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Also it will turn like you're going to start it with the key halfway in, I don't think there is anything Luke sort in the key hole to block the key from being inserted. The key never was able to come out in the auxiliary position before she dis this.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Stranger things have happened. My advice owuld be to have a locksmith look at it as it may have the tumblers messed up.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRUGAL4LIFE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
Steering problem
2006 Chevy Cobalt 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Over the past two days I have had this problem with my Cobalt. After driving the car, I shift the transmission into park and turn off the ignition. I try to remove the key from the ignition but it will release. To remove the key, I have to restart the car, shift the transmission into drive, shift it back into park, and turn off the ignition again before the key will release from the ignition.

Any advice is appreciated!
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
This is a common issue with the Cobalts. There is a small access panel on the bottom of the steering column, remove that and you will see a button up and to the left. Push that button in and the key will come out. This will work until you can get repairs made, most likely being a faulty shifter.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JLEMBERTON42
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT
I tried to start my car this morning but the battery was dead then when I went to take the key out it would not turn to the off position, it will turn between the acc and on position but thats it. Also the gear shifter will not go into gear when the key is in the "on" position.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
With the battery charged up if you play with the shifter button it the park position will the key turn off?What about smacking the shifter forward with your hand in the park position then trying to turn the key off. Some of those cobolts had issues with the micro switches at the base of the shifters causing the keys to not turn off.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Charge or jump battery so electrical will work.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Iam sorry I miss read the question I thought the battery went dead because the key wouldnt turn off. Thats why I mentioned what I did. Take the battery to the auto parts store and have the battery charged and tested. When you get it started also have the alternator tested.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Did you read your owners manual?
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TED6620
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
Electrical problem
2006 Chevy Cobalt 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 86000. Miles

I cannot turn the key all the way off also I cannot remove the key unless I push a little button inside the steering column. Whats wrong?
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Most likely u have a bad micro switch on ur shifter its what tells ur car if its in park so it will let u turn the key off. Try playing with ur shift and shifter button see if that helps ur key turn off. If that doesnt work u will have to pull ur center console so u can make sure ur shifter is fully releasing in park and the micro switch is working properly. Let me know what u find.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TED6620
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It turned out to be mechanical instead of electrical. The gear selector release button pushed a cross bar attached to the release shaft which activated a switch that told the car it was in park and not a drive gear. The cross bar had somehow fallin out of the release shaft. I returned it to its proper location and everything works again. Thank you for your help it headed me in the right direction to find the problem.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BEACHJANET
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,340 MILES
I have a dead battery and I can not get the keys out of the ignitions to open the trunk to get to the battery. Thank you, Janet
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
There is a small access panel under the steering column. Pop that panel out and you will see or feel a button up in there. Flip the button and the key will release from the ignition.
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Sunday, April 26th, 2020 AT 12:01 PM (Merged)

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