1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Igns witch will not go to OFF posi

TRAIN_MICK

MEMBER
1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE

Interior problem
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 147K miles

My 1998 Olds Intrigue has the ignition switch mounted on the dash. I am not able to get the switch to go to the OFF position and therefore I am not able to remove the key. The car starts and runs just fine but since I cannot remove the key, the vehicle stays in what I believe is ACCY mode with the PRNDL position and the ODO illuminated. Since this first happened, I was only able to get the key out once out of a approximately 10 drive cycles.
Looking for some advice as to where to look for the problem.

3 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

For a temporary fix, try spraying some WD40 on the switch as good as you can and work the key until it frees up and comes out. It sounds like the cable may not be releasing completely when your vehicle is in park. This will cause the sensor to think that the vehicle is still in another gear, not allowing you to remove the key completely.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, December 13th, 2008 AT 7:55 PM

TRAIN_MICK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Bluelightnin, Thanks for the feedback. You did get me thinking.
The "brake to shift" interlock was causing some problems where it was difficult to shift out of park with the foot on the brake. I checked that the interlock solenoid was getting the proper signal when the brake was applied so it appeared to be a mechanical "sticky" problem with the solenoid. I disconnected the solenoid about 3 weeks ago and everything was working fine with it disconnected. The ignition switch problem started this week. Any chance they can be related? Some security/safety feature? Tomorrow I will re-connect the solenoid and see if the ignition switch problem goes away.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, December 13th, 2008 AT 8:29 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

I wouldn't think that it would take a couple weeks for it to just now start acting up, but yes this is a safety feature for the vehicle so I believe you are spot on with the solution.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, December 13th, 2008 AT 8:33 PM