Can’t remove the key from ignition – GM

Diagnose and fix GM to correct situation where you can’t remove the key from ignition

If you encounter a situation where you can’t remove the key from ignition on a GM vehicle, you have lots of company. Shops are reporting lots of problems with these vehicles and GM has issued a bulletin PIT4840A that applies to the vehicles listed below.

Can’t remove the key from ignition, or the key won’t rotate to the Lock/OFF position on these vehicles:

2008-2011 Buick Enclave

2009 – 2011 Chevrolet Traverse

2007-2011 GMC Acadia

2007-2010 Saturn Outlook

When you encounter the problem you’ll discover that turning the key towards the LOCK/OFF position will turn off the engine, but you won’t be able to rotate the key to the full LOCK/OFF position and you can’t remove the key from ignition.

In order to fully return to the park position, a rod connected to the shifter in the console must contact a micro-switch which switches power from the body control module (BCM) to the ignition lock cylinder control actuator (shift interlock solenoid).

Shops report that the yellow wire going to the micro switch is breaking and that’s prevent the lock cylinder control actuator from powering up (see diagram).

You’ll have to open the console and check the wire and possibly jumper power to the ignition lock cylinder control actuator to see if that solves the problem. GM doesn’t sell just the micro switch. You have to buy the shifter assembly.

©, 2016 Rick Muscoplat