key wont come out

2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
215,000 MILES • 3.4L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DOUG LEAP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
left key in switch and wont come out. it will start but it runs the battery down and the security light is on and the lights stays on on the drive display on gearshift.
Dec 4, 2016 at 1:50 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,295 POSTS
Two possibilities, One is that the ignition interlock is stuck and not allowing the key to rotate back to off (its purpose is to keep you from locking the steering if you shut the engine off while in gear). Start the car, shift it through the gears and then push the stick into park with some extra force. There is a cable that moves to prevent you from shutting the ignition off while in gear and sometimes it fails or sticks or the adjuster slips.

Usually you can just remove the console cover to get at the shifter and readjust the cable.
Dec 4, 2016 at 8:15 AM
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