kblehm

iTrader: (8)

I have a 2001 camaro, The key will not turn to the lock position or remove from the column. I cant find anything in my book that will tell me what the problems is. Need Help cant drive the car since the key cant be removed.

Whats wrong, and has anyone else had this problem. I need it fixed ASAP!!!!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

danbo313

iTrader: (8)

Stick or Auto?

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

Its a Auto!!!!! I checked and made sure it was in park still the key will not come out!!!!

2002_Z28_Six_Speed

iTrader: (19)

Turn the wheel back and forth really hard while trying to remove the key. If that doesn't work maybe you went too far and got it in the ACC position. Worst come to worst you will have to remove the lock cyc

bobbyd

iTrader: (10)

same thing happends to me sometimes.

push the key towards the left and then push it back at the same time.

thats how i get mine out

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

I have tried to turn the wheel back and forth and pull the key out didnt work.

Rushin

iTrader: (18)

Crank it up again and then turn it off. It should come out...

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

Done that. I thought it wasnt in park at first. But its in park and still wont turn to the lock position to remove the key. Its kicking my A$$!!!!!!!!

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

Car 1 Driver 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bobbyd

iTrader: (10)

have you try the method that i told you? push the key in like if you were inserting it withs some pressure dont let go and push back to take it out see if that works

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

I'm not at home to try that yet!!! I will be going back to the house to try it very soon!!

JTelesone

iTrader: (13)

similar thing happened to me but my key wouldnt move forward or backwards so I couldnt drive it at all. Mine ended up being the spring inside the ignition cylinder. had to take to take the whole column apart. yours is probably broke or on its way out. you can get a kit to repair it so that you dont need a completely new cylinder for about 85 bucks from napa.

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

Thanks...Do you know if these columns are the same as the old style that have a rod that goes threw the column. I hoping if they have a rod mine isnt broken. I'm going to start working on the car first thing in the afternoon when I wake up!!!!!!!! Wish me luck because I will need it. My fathers call sign was blackcloud and I think he passed it on to me!!!!!!! If it can break, its never the easy stuff usually its the stuff thats a pain in the A$$!!!!!!

Thanks for all the info.

2002_Z28_Six_Speed

iTrader: (19)

Yea, it has the same rod and sector gear from like 1987 and up. Same old bottle-top-opener looking ign switch trigger.

I don't know if an older ign key cylinder will fit but they are very similar...I don't have one in front of me to compare. I also know the turn sig canceller, horn contactor, upper steering housing, pivot pins are all about the same from 1974 up

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

I hope its not that rod that is broken!!!! Going in the garage now to pull steering wheel and all that fun stuff.

2002_Z28_Six_Speed

iTrader: (19)

I have heard that from time to time that little pot metal rod will break.

They have it at most auto stores but it won't say that it will fit an f body.

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

I took out the steering wheel and removed the ignition and found out thats not the problem!!!!!!!!!WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!

I then jurked the steering wheel from left to right hard and fast and was able to get the steering wheel to lock and pull the key out, but it put a hard bind on the ignition so I couldnt turn that car back on. I jerked the wheel again and I was able to start the car but still having the problem with putting the key to the lock position............ any Ideas where else I can look or how to fix this......

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

Whats next???? Key is still stuck!!!!!!!!

2002_Z28_Six_Speed

iTrader: (19)

Ok. So you removed the lock cylinder and you can turn it freely while it is removed? Correct?

When you removed the lock cylinder could you grab the rod that connects to the sector gear and turn that easily to start the car?

kblehm

iTrader: (8)

The lock cylinder was removed and would turn freely, yes.
We did grab the rod and yes it moved freely forward like we where starting the car.

I went and talked to GM dealership and I was told its the rack in the column that needs to be replaced and the parts kit it only $50.00. I was told that its the slid that connects to the gear that is broke.