Ignition key wont turn on....
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True Car Nut
Joined: May 2003
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From: Holt, MI & Lima, OH

Ok, went to back out of the garage, put the key in, turned it and it wont turn on. It will turn just a little bit (almost to the acc position, the radio will actually come on and the shifter will "unlock") but the key will turn no further.
Any ideas wtf would cause this?
FWIW, I did notice the steering wheel isn't locked. With the key off and not even in the ignition the steering wheel doesn't lock, and it always has in the past. Maybe the lock is somehow broken and is causing it??? I'm open to any ideas because the car can't be driven the way it is.
Any ideas wtf would cause this?
FWIW, I did notice the steering wheel isn't locked. With the key off and not even in the ignition the steering wheel doesn't lock, and it always has in the past. Maybe the lock is somehow broken and is causing it??? I'm open to any ideas because the car can't be driven the way it is.
Is this in a GP or the SSEi? I'm not sure on the 2000+ Bonneville'*, but on the W-bodies there'* a little hole to stick a pen in to unluck. My buddy'* 99 Regal did this once and that was the trick.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,022
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From: Holt, MI & Lima, OH

Originally Posted by PontiacDad
Try resetting the shifter, maybe its not fully in park. Can you get it to shift into neutral?
I believe the issue probably has to do with the steering lock not functioning properly. I was hoping maybe there is a fuse or something causing this though...
Is this in a GP or the SSEi? I'm not sure on the 2000+ Bonneville'*, but on the W-bodies there'* a little hole to stick a pen in to unluck. My buddy'* 99 Regal did this once and that was the trick.
Actually, Shawn, there is a shift/park lock cable associated with the switch that will affect how the ignition switch works. I know it will keep the switch from going all the way to lock if not in park when it'* shut off. as I've goofed a couple of times. Never tried it the other way around. The instructions for replacing the switch refer to it.
Ignition Switch Replacement
Ignition Switch Replacement
Thread Starter
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: May 2003
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From: Holt, MI & Lima, OH

Originally Posted by PontiacDad
Do you have another key to try?
Originally Posted by Archon
Actually, Shawn, there is a shift/park lock cable associated with the switch that will affect how the ignition switch works. I know it will keep the switch from going all the way to lock if not in park when it'* shut off. as I've goofed a couple of times. Never tried it the other way around. The instructions for replacing the switch refer to it.
Ignition Switch Replacement
Ignition Switch Replacement
I had the same problem once with my '02 SE. This required replacing the lock cylinder. Of course yours may be a different cause, but this sounds a little suspicious.
I'm pretty sure that, at least on the 2000+'*, there'* no steering wheel lock when the key is taken out. There'* a post about that somewhere here in the forum.
Occasionaly, i have the problem of my key not wanting to turn, but i attribute it to the lock cylinder. If you've tried both keys and you can take your key out of the ignition in "neutral", then maybe the lock cylinder is going out. You shouldn't be able to take the key out of the ignition in any gear (except 'Park' of course).
Occasionaly, i have the problem of my key not wanting to turn, but i attribute it to the lock cylinder. If you've tried both keys and you can take your key out of the ignition in "neutral", then maybe the lock cylinder is going out. You shouldn't be able to take the key out of the ignition in any gear (except 'Park' of course).


