Key Removal Solenoid

thermanlee · 12-17-2007, 02:06 PM

And while I'm at it, I'll ask for a write-up on how to replace or clean this thing. (ahem - Webracin). I'm talking about the thing that keeps the ignition switch from turning all the way off when the car goes into park so I – er, um, 'someone who might have this problem' – can fix it.

SyntheticShield · 12-17-2007, 02:15 PM

Well I have a write up on how to replace the ignition solenoid and I 'believe' it goes into some of this. I plan on putting it up in the how to section when we get that going, but I could email it to you in the mean time if you would PM me your email address.

thermanlee · 12-17-2007, 04:20 PM

You got it.

Abrasive · 12-17-2007, 10:57 PM

Replace? I can tell you how to remove it at least. LOL! Actually, mine is out until I get a chance to get by our local pick-n-pull and scavenge a replacement. I couldn't deal with the pen trick any longer, so for now I just double check it's in park.

thermanlee · 12-18-2007, 09:28 AM

What is this 'pen trick'?

Abrasive · 12-18-2007, 11:12 AM

There is a small hole in the plastic cover on the bottom of the column just below and a bit further back than the ignition. This hole is directly below the park lock solenoid which is what usually goes bad and prevents you from turning the key all the way off. There is a button on the bottom of the solenoid that you can push (ink pen works dandy) through this hole to manually release the solenoid and turn the key all the way off and remove it. Just a P.I.T.A. to do this everytime you get out of the car.

If you want to just remove the solenoid like I did, just tilt the column all the way up. Remove the lower plastic cover which is held in place with just a couple Torx screws. You will have to remove the handle on the tilt lever to get the cover off. It just pops off by pulling or prying straight out. Now, with the cover off, look just behind the ignition switch and you will see a white (at least mine was white) cylindrical shaped part with one plug on it. That is the park lock solenoid. Unplug it and remove. It is held in place with one tiny little hex head screw that is sandwiched in between the solenoid and the ignition and is pretty hard to get to. Not to mention, I didn't have a socket small enough to fit it (4mm was still way too big). I used a small pair of needlenose visegrips and got the screw out. Toss solenoid in nearest trashcan, but save the screw if you plan on replacing it. I just put the screw back in it's hole for the time being. Now, be careful from now on because you can now remove the key regardless of where your shifter position is. Double check you are all the way in park everytime you turn the car off until you get a replacement solenoid. I wouldn't suggest leaving it out permanently, one time is all it takes for your car to roll away.

thermanlee · 12-18-2007, 02:10 PM

Sweet deal, thanks for posting that. I may try to do something about that this weekend if it stays relatively warm and I get the limbs dealt with. It's REALLY REALLY annoying sitting in your car for some random number of minutes waiting on the stupid thing to decide to relinquish your key.

Especially w/kids and wife saying, "Come on!"

SyntheticShield · 12-18-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abrasive

There is a small hole in the plastic cover on the bottom of the column just below and a bit further back than the ignition. This hole is directly below the park lock solenoid which is what usually goes bad and prevents you from turning the key all the way off. There is a button on the bottom of the solenoid that you can push (ink pen works dandy) through this hole to manually release the solenoid and turn the key all the way off and remove it. Just a P.I.T.A. to do this everytime you get out of the car.

If you want to just remove the solenoid like I did, just tilt the column all the way up. Remove the lower plastic cover which is held in place with just a couple Torx screws. You will have to remove the handle on the tilt lever to get the cover off. It just pops off by pulling or prying straight out. Now, with the cover off, look just behind the ignition switch and you will see a white (at least mine was white) cylindrical shaped part with one plug on it. That is the park lock solenoid. Unplug it and remove. It is held in place with one tiny little hex head screw that is sandwiched in between the solenoid and the ignition and is pretty hard to get to. Not to mention, I didn't have a socket small enough to fit it (4mm was still way too big). I used a small pair of needlenose visegrips and got the screw out. Toss solenoid in nearest trashcan, but save the screw if you plan on replacing it. I just put the screw back in it's hole for the time being. Now, be careful from now on because you can now remove the key regardless of where your shifter position is. Double check you are all the way in park everytime you turn the car off until you get a replacement solenoid. I wouldn't suggest leaving it out permanently, one time is all it takes for your car to roll away.

Aren't you quite the useful one to have around...

Abrasive · 12-18-2007, 09:27 PM

For reference, here's is what the park lock solenoid looks like. Mine never made it to the trashcan.

MTXGTP · 12-19-2007, 05:35 PM

ssome times you ca spray it with some penetrating oil and spray it down thats what i did and it worked till i got a chance to replace it it gave me about a month before it started again.

12-17-2007, 02:06 PM	#1
thermanlee SE Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Key Removal Solenoid And while I'm at it, I'll ask for a write-up on how to replace or clean this thing. (ahem - Webracin). I'm talking about the thing that keeps the ignition switch from turning all the way off when the car goes into park so I – er, um, 'someone who might have this problem' – can fix it. __________________ Dark True Green Metallic (?) 1999 GP GT with um, 'custom' front bumper. Looking diligently for a same color replacement 110K miles. No U-bend. Crappy stereo. Filthy inside (thanks to my wife & kids). Runs perfect.

12-17-2007, 02:15 PM	#2
SyntheticShield Administrator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 6,518 Thanks: 14 Thanked 46 Times in 32 Posts iTrader: (5)	Well I have a write up on how to replace the ignition solenoid and I 'believe' it goes into some of this. I plan on putting it up in the how to section when we get that going, but I could email it to you in the mean time if you would PM me your email address. __________________ Scotty Hall Bartlesville, OK 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP It whines a lot, but I like it. The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!

12-17-2007, 04:20 PM	#3
thermanlee SE Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	You got it. __________________ Dark True Green Metallic (?) 1999 GP GT with um, 'custom' front bumper. Looking diligently for a same color replacement 110K miles. No U-bend. Crappy stereo. Filthy inside (thanks to my wife & kids). Runs perfect.

12-17-2007, 10:57 PM	#4
Abrasive Community Vendor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Odessa, MO Posts: 648 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts iTrader: (6)	Replace? I can tell you how to remove it at least. LOL! Actually, mine is out until I get a chance to get by our local pick-n-pull and scavenge a replacement. I couldn't deal with the pen trick any longer, so for now I just double check it's in park. __________________ Master Certified Auto Glass Technician Kansas City Pontiac Motorsports Club Green Bastard Products My F-Quick Garage My GPF Garage

12-18-2007, 09:28 AM	#5
thermanlee SE Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	What is this 'pen trick'? __________________ Dark True Green Metallic (?) 1999 GP GT with um, 'custom' front bumper. Looking diligently for a same color replacement 110K miles. No U-bend. Crappy stereo. Filthy inside (thanks to my wife & kids). Runs perfect.

12-18-2007, 11:12 AM	#6
Abrasive Community Vendor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Odessa, MO Posts: 648 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts iTrader: (6)	There is a small hole in the plastic cover on the bottom of the column just below and a bit further back than the ignition. This hole is directly below the park lock solenoid which is what usually goes bad and prevents you from turning the key all the way off. There is a button on the bottom of the solenoid that you can push (ink pen works dandy) through this hole to manually release the solenoid and turn the key all the way off and remove it. Just a P.I.T.A. to do this everytime you get out of the car. If you want to just remove the solenoid like I did, just tilt the column all the way up. Remove the lower plastic cover which is held in place with just a couple Torx screws. You will have to remove the handle on the tilt lever to get the cover off. It just pops off by pulling or prying straight out. Now, with the cover off, look just behind the ignition switch and you will see a white (at least mine was white) cylindrical shaped part with one plug on it. That is the park lock solenoid. Unplug it and remove. It is held in place with one tiny little hex head screw that is sandwiched in between the solenoid and the ignition and is pretty hard to get to. Not to mention, I didn't have a socket small enough to fit it (4mm was still way too big). I used a small pair of needlenose visegrips and got the screw out. Toss solenoid in nearest trashcan, but save the screw if you plan on replacing it. I just put the screw back in it's hole for the time being. Now, be careful from now on because you can now remove the key regardless of where your shifter position is. Double check you are all the way in park everytime you turn the car off until you get a replacement solenoid. I wouldn't suggest leaving it out permanently, one time is all it takes for your car to roll away. __________________ Master Certified Auto Glass Technician Kansas City Pontiac Motorsports Club Green Bastard Products My F-Quick Garage My GPF Garage

12-18-2007, 02:10 PM	#7
thermanlee SE Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Sweet deal, thanks for posting that. I may try to do something about that this weekend if it stays relatively warm and I get the limbs dealt with. It's REALLY REALLY annoying sitting in your car for some random number of minutes waiting on the stupid thing to decide to relinquish your key. Especially w/kids and wife saying, "Come on!" __________________ Dark True Green Metallic (?) 1999 GP GT with um, 'custom' front bumper. Looking diligently for a same color replacement 110K miles. No U-bend. Crappy stereo. Filthy inside (thanks to my wife & kids). Runs perfect.

12-18-2007, 09:27 PM	#9
Abrasive Community Vendor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Odessa, MO Posts: 648 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts iTrader: (6)	For reference, here's is what the park lock solenoid looks like. Mine never made it to the trashcan. __________________ Master Certified Auto Glass Technician Kansas City Pontiac Motorsports Club Green Bastard Products My F-Quick Garage My GPF Garage

12-19-2007, 05:35 PM	#10
MTXGTP GT Level Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: wamego,KS Posts: 498 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	ssome times you ca spray it with some penetrating oil and spray it down thats what i did and it worked till i got a chance to replace it it gave me about a month before it started again.

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