I have had this problem twice now. A little background, the key is a blank that i had cut and program it to my car it is not a master i do have a master though. anyway in the past 2 weeks i have had the car completely die when i try to start it. everything dead and i can't remove the key. At first i thought it was the battery even though it is tested fine when i hooked it back up i could remove the key and everything was fine. the second time happen last night the same way but this time i just disconnected the battery and reconnected it and everything was fine and i could remove the key and start the car. Could it be the battery it seems to be the original ac delco that could have come in the car. There is no date when it was installed. A friend of mine said it was a sensor that cause the security system to shut the car off. I research on the web and found this website. Pontiac Grand Prix Key cannot be removed from ignition - CarSpace Automotive Forums they say it could be either battery or shift assembly. What do you guys think?

the key can't be removed when the battery is dead, because there is an electric solenoid that has to have power to release the key. -- it sounds like you need to get your battery tested, and clean/tighten the battery cables... i'd also check the cable connections at the starter to make sure they're tight.

you can take the battery out and take it to autozone/ other auto parts store to have it tested (can test it in the car if you drive it there also)


as far as the shifter assembly, that's next on the list, but you can also inspect the wiring on it and see if the wiring is cut/damaged...

I did have the battery test the first time it happen at autozone and it tested fine. But I don't know the age of the battery. I suspect it is original to the car.

Don't know if this is realated but i also have a problem every time i start the car. If i don't' pat the gas when it is started it will idle down so low that it will cut off. and i can see that the lights dim when that happens.

that could be related, or it could be totally separate. --- if it's related, then it could be the alternator.. have that checked.

if it's unrelated, theres a good list of things it could be.

This won't fix your problem but, to get the key out, you just remove a little plug, if there is one, from under the steering wheel and stick a pen up there to hit a little button and it will release the key every time.

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