Thread: ugh...my family car is falling apart, please help

For the key getting stuck, underneath the steering column there is a cap. Pop the cap off and there will be a key release button. Every time the key gets stuck you can press that up to release it with a screw driver. When you get sick of doing that all the time you can do what I did and what some other folks did and shove a rolled up business card in there to hold the button down.

For the code, I wouldn't be of any help but there are very knowledgeable people of our cars that will help you on this forum.

Originally Posted by formulafbomb

I bought a 98 GTP with 140k miles on it a few months ago. Runs good, drives good...etc Well now like 100 issues sprung up out of nowhere.

First, my girlfriend drove it through a large puddle and the p0300 code appeared. After a few days it went away but still had a nasty misfire at WOT so I changed my plugs and wires and it ran fine without the miss.

Now the p0300 code came back with the same WOT misfire but now it's accompanied by the p0442 vacuum code.

Also my ignition switch won't turn all the way off. It turns to the spot right before off and let's me remove the key but I can turn the car on without it. Now I have to lock it all up every time I leave it.

There are other issues but I'm really only concerned with the ones I described here. Thanks in advance

The P0442 code doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the misfiring or P0300 code, it's actually pretty common if you have any significant rust on your fuel system, or just a bad gas cap if you are lucky.

For the P0300 code, you might want to check to make sure the ICM and coil packs for any rust or water damage.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0300 could be a clogged up cat, bad icm or wires to the icm. or you got two wires crossed up to the spark plugs.

the other code is a evap code. http://www.obd-codes.com/p0442 bad gas cap can cause this one.

and the key getting stuck is almost always a broken wire to the plg that goes to the shiftier in the console. the back up release is under the column in the round plug you'll see when you look up at it.

you don't have to remove that round plug to release the key. on the steering column almost under the key is a hole big enough to stick your finger in . just stick your finger in it pointing back towards you and you'll feel two soliniods with a small gap between them . flip the one on top up with your finger... been doing it for 7 months now. for a permanent fix , take the steering column covers off and zip tie it up or wedge something between the two.

Originally Posted by EHB

you don't have to remove that round plug to release the key. on the steering column almost under the key is a hole big enough to stick your finger in . just stick your finger in it pointing back towards you and you'll feel two soliniods with a small gap between them . flip the one on top up with your finger... been doing it for 7 months now. for a permanent fix , take the steering column covers off and zip tie it up or wedge something between the two.

why not fix the broken wire in the console? 7 months id have burned the car already lol

Originally Posted by ScottyDoggs

why not fix the broken wire in the console? 7 months id have burned the car already lol

it probably takes me .3 seconds longer to get my keys out than it does for you to remove your keys...not a big deal...plus it's additional security. your average bozo can't steal my keys if i leave em in the ignition ...

Why is everyone suggesting a fix to a problem that the op does not have? They have already stated twice now that the key comes out just fine, its that the ignition switch doesn't turn off all the way, ie they can start the car without the key.

If the p0300 started after driving through a puddle I would start checking the wire harness to the ICM, the ICM and the coils as previously stated.
I would also try a new gas cap.

i can pull my key out too while its running or any other position. but just cause it comes out when the tumblers not locked dont mean it cant be started with out the key and stolen.

hes saying the key dont turn back to "lock" thats like always the busted wire deal.

Why would they steal your keys? I mean if they're in the ignition, and the person is in your car, wouldn't they just start it and take the whole car? Or just steal anything of value inside the vehicle if they don't want to deal with future lim and vc gasket problems, and be worrying about kr all the time like they would if they took the whole car? Be funny to have someone steal a car, then return it a few days later with a note, "Bruh, you need to deal with this kr problem, gonna chip a piston soon, we don't feel like replacing a short block so here's your car back."

Originally Posted by 99GT2dr

Why would they steal your keys? I mean if they're in the ignition, and the person is in your car, wouldn't they just start it and take the whole car? Or just steal anything of value inside the vehicle if they don't want to deal with future lim and vc gasket problems, and be worrying about kr all the time like they would if they took the whole car? Be funny to have someone steal a car, then return it a few days later with a note, "Bruh, you need to deal with this kr problem, gonna chip a piston soon, we don't feel like replacing a short block so here's your car back."

why take a key down the side of a car instead of rigging it with explosives ?

Subbd for lols.

so many lazybones in this thread lol

Have you seen the price of c4 lately!

C4 ? apparently you've never taken a jihad 101 class...you don't need no stinkin C4 to make things go boom.

Look, this is America. We use C4, not no camel jockey homebrew explosives that might end up exploding on you en route.

I fought with my key not turning all the way back, I could remove the key as well. I ended up sticking a rolled up business card in there and its fixed. cheap and easy..