Key coming out of ignition..in any position.

**chicagochuck** · 08-05-2012

I have a 2001 grand Prix gt that I'm working on. I have been reading around and I have general understanding of a few problems. First off the blower motor will only work in the 5th speed. I have not noticed any other electrical problems dtrl and defroster seem to work even when blower is on lower speeds.So yes I will be changing the resistor first..and see if that does the trick.

What I have noticed it the ignition key can be taken out of the ignition in any position even drive and the car will continue to run it won't fall out you do have to pull it some what but it will come out...The owner states they bought the car like that so maybe it was getting stuck and the previous person yanked the key out..who knows.. Is that dangerous? Should that be repaired right away?

Iv never did any of these before but I have been I'm thinking...
First- I change the resistor?
Second- I change the key lock cylinder, Hopefully I can program the key myself and ( change the ignition switch? since I'm in there).
Third -Check the shift wires in the floor shifter?

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-05-2012

my key also comes out. the key i bought the car with slides out like butter, i only had 1 key so i bought a new one, the new key is tighter but can still be pulled out.

what i do is just make sure my tumbler is locked after i take the key out. if its left forward a bit the buzzer still goes off, key in or not. its a good warning.

you could change the tumbler out but is it really worth it? not in my eyes. like i said mine does it too, not a big deal.

that resistor is behind the blower motor.

is there anything wrong with the sifter? or are you thinking it has something to do with the key coming out? because it dont.

**Rico** · 08-05-2012

If you're going to change the ignition switch do that first and see if the blower works on all settings.

And change the entire thing like scottydogs says.

**chicagochuck** · 08-05-2012

This car also has only one key....

I don't think the shifter is making the key come out, I believe someone could have yanked it out if it had been stuck. I read that the shifter wires can make the key stick. So i assumed if that was the problem and I changed the key lock that they key would get stuck again possibly because of the shifter . That's just speculation.

I will just leave the key cylinder as it is for now.. and change the resistor, if that doesn't work and I have to change the ignition switch then. I'll tackle the cylinder at the same time.

I Just wanted to make sure, I was under the impression these cars would not allow you to put them into drive without the key in the ignition.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-05-2012

all that does in not let the key turn back if still in gear/ not in park.

start with the resistor, its cheap vs the ignition switch.

if you want to get another key for it, you have a vat key with a chip in the shaft of the key. take a ohm meter and touch both sides of the chips, write down the ohms, go to ebay search your year car, then they will have a list of ohms, 1-10 to chose from. mine cost like 12 bucks shipped, had it cut for a buck. there is a relearn for the new key, but hey send you directions with it. you need the old key to make the new one work.

**chicagochuck** · 08-05-2012

OK just didn't want to car to cut off/lose power if the key came out while driving.....But like I said as of now its not that lose.
I remember the ohm procedure when I had my 96 cutlass supreme, I didn't know these keys had to be ohm tested,thanks for the info.

**chicagochuck** · 08-05-2012

UPDATE!!!! Battery dead I guess the key wasn't completely turned to the off position.... I had to use the screw driver underneath steering column technique to get it to turn into the off position... I guess I will be looking into the gear shift wiring.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-05-2012

like i said, i always make sure my tumbler is locked after i take my key out. has nothing to do with the shiftier. when you lose power the tumbler just gets stuck and wont turn back. if you had just put the charger or jumper cables to the battery the key would have turned back. its another GM safety crap i guess.