Occasional Stuck Key in Ignition?

Tiny
DRTUCK318
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 143,000 MILES
Bought this car used about four months. It had a number of issues about which almost all have been resolved. The remaining issue is that occasionally the key gets stuck in the ACC position after turning off the engine. Turning the ignition back to the on position (restarting the car) and shifting from Park to Drive and pushing the stick shift forcefully back into Park will sometimes allow me to turn the ignition switch into the Off position and I can pull the key out. Sometimes turning the steering wheel hard to the left or right will allow the ignition switch to turn to the off position and I can pull the key out. Other times, I have to insert a screwdriver into the Key Release hole in the bottom of the steering column.

I took the car to a Chevrolet dealership three months ago. Over $600 later, they did not diagnose either of the two problems that I took it in for (one of which was the stuck key in ignition) but gave me a $12K-plus list of recommended repairs. Another repair shop that I took it two could not get the problem to occur, even though they kept it and drove it for several days. By the way, after my initial discovery of the problem, I ordered new keys and had them cut by a locksmith. Still the problem persists.

Thank you for your assistance.
Monday, November 18th, 2024 AT 11:12 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
To me it sounds like the key lock tumbler is bad which is common. What happens is they fall apart internally. Here is how to change it out. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Monday, November 18th, 2024 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
DRTUCK318
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Will talk to the locksmith tomorrow about replacing the lock cylinder. He told me that it was probably the neutral safety switch. However, my vehicle displayed none of the symptoms normally associated with the neutral safety switch.
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Monday, November 18th, 2024 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I have seen way more lock cylinders go out than neutral safety switches on these cars. Let me know what happens.
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Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
DRTUCK318
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I took the car to the locksmith yesterday. He said the problem was not the ignition lock cylinder, but a solenoid on the ignition housing periodically getting stuck. Please see accompanying photo.) I have ordered a new ignition housing. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
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Thursday, November 28th, 2024 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Good find, that is the ignition lock control solenoid in case you needed to know what it was called. Let me know if that fixes it, please. Have a good weekend.
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Friday, November 29th, 2024 AT 10:41 AM

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