Just a little O.T.---GM mechanics take a look, please

Wayne in MN · Feb 16, 2012

This car is in my heated workshop where I keep my snow moving tractor, so I am close to being "on topic"!

My daughter bought a 2000 Buick Regal for my "almost 16" granddaughter. Nice driving machine.
Problem: when shutting down after moving the car, the key cylinder doesn't always rotate to the position where you can remove the key. With a floor shifter, I suspect a linkage adjustment is needed somewhere to allow the key to be removed.
I also found out that by not being able to remove the key, the battery will run down!
Any GM experts out there with a suggestion for fixing this problem b/4 my granddaughter is leagal to drive? (about a month)
Thank you.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 16, 2012

git rid of it ,, you will be headaches ahead ,, gmjunk has really gone to the dogss in the last 30 yrs

glennster · Feb 16, 2012

the shifter is cable operated. pull the center console out and inspect the shifter and cable. also check the base of the steering column and see how the lock release attaches. been a while since i was in one, but problem should be apparent when its apart. i think the bezel will come off the shift indicator plate, but the plate itself stays on the shifter, the console lifts off over it.

Brokenwrench · Feb 16, 2012

Im not so sure it is an adjustment issue.

I think it probably has more to do with the tumbler itself. If you have any other keys try those and see if it makes it any better or worse. Not a stretch to have a worn out tumbler on a gm car, especially if the previous owner was someone who had one of those big multi keychain lanyard deals that weigh about 10 lbs. They will continually sideload the tumbler and wear it out. Just a guess though BW

Jim in MN · Feb 16, 2012

Had a similar problem with my Mother's car. There was a bad solenoid/sensor that would not recognize the car was in park. She spent about $700 at the dealer getting it fixed.

FYI...There is a cap under the steering column that can be removed and a long screwdriver can be used to release the keys. The procedure is in the owners manual. It's not a long term fix but it will save the battery.

Dean · Feb 16, 2012

What uninformed nonsense.

Dean

jddriver · Feb 16, 2012

M-MAN · Feb 16, 2012

I would make sure it's going all the way in Park first. My daughter had a Regal & later a T Bird with similar problems. Turns out women have a bad habit of laying hairbows and eyeliner pencils at the shifter base & they end up going down through the rubber sleeve and stop the shifter from traveling all the way.

oldtanker · Feb 16, 2012

(quoted from post at 20:08:59 02/16/12) Im not so sure it is an adjustment issue.

I think it probably has more to do with the tumbler itself. If you have any other keys try those and see if it makes it any better or worse. Not a stretch to have a worn out tumbler on a gm car, especially if the previous owner was someone who had one of those big multi keychain lanyard deals that weigh about 10 lbs. They will continually sideload the tumbler and wear it out. Just a guess though BW

Don't know about that. I use to hate my keys. Car, truck and house keys, platoon office keys, one for the door and several for my desk and file cabnets, conex keys and tank keys. Must have been about 4 pounds. Didn't have any GM tumble problems and ran one past 200K.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · Feb 17, 2012

On a 2002 chevy truck I started to check the engine I had to push in and turn the key to remove it.Owners manual is the place to look.

cannonball · Feb 17, 2012

must be pretty good junk ...huh
Untitled URL Link

Sprint 6 · Feb 17, 2012

There are wires broken down next to the shifter. You will have to open up the console to see them. The wires are attached to a solenoid that moves every time the shifter moves. Pull on those wires, I would bet one is broken.

cjackman · Feb 17, 2012

I suspect that the solenoid in the shifter has either stuck or gone bad. The solenoid is just a switch telling the column you are in park. Remove the shifter boot and check for a sticky solenoid or the tab that pushes it. Coffee is the the worst nightmare lol. That is where i figure you will start and stop,seen it many times here in the shop. If you cant free it up a new shifter will be in order. Hope this helps a little..

Hobo,NC · Feb 17, 2012

(quoted from post at 06:51:04 02/17/12) This car is in my heated workshop where I keep my snow moving tractor, so I am close to being "on topic"!

My daughter bought a 2000 Buick Regal for my "almost 16" granddaughter. Nice driving machine.
Problem: when shutting down after moving the car, the key cylinder doesn't always rotate to the position where you can remove the key. With a floor shifter, I suspect a linkage adjustment is needed somewhere to allow the key to be removed.
I also found out that by not being able to remove the key, the battery will run down!
Any GM experts out there with a suggestion for fixing this problem b/4 my granddaughter is leagal to drive? (about a month)
Thank you.

I dread these issues,,, the problem could be any that has been suggested..
Most all I have ran into its in the shifter (if its floor mounted)...
One beat me up real bad it turned out to be the cover over the button you depress on the front of the shifter was not letting the shifter button to completely return fully out,,, I peeled the cover off and it fixed it... The customer never missed the cover...

You should be able to hear the lock solenoid click when you depress the brake while in park,, if you don't its in the release linkage/are control's.. If you hear it click it could be a worn out lock/key tumbler...

I would try and pattern the issue by listening for the solenoid click... You can get deeper into it and waist allot of time and money,, that click noise is yer sign
:wink:

MarkWV · Feb 17, 2012

Bought daughter 1999 Sunfire, same problem, check solenoid first, I discovered the shift release at top front of shifter was dragging on shift lever knob/cover, could take finger and finish pulling it down and would then release keys, took pocket knife and trimed where button was dragging, problem solved, HTH

bradk · Feb 17, 2012

Pretty common.Almost always the shifter(less handle)in the floor console.A sensor in this shifter isn"t seeing park position.Most common fail due to pop and coffee spilled in the shifter.

buickanddeere · Feb 17, 2012

If there is a rotating collar on the steering colomb . Just grasp the collar and turn it farther after putting the console shifter in park.

luv2wrench · Feb 17, 2012

I see the shifters go bad all the time or the pink wire to the shifter shift lock solenoid wire breaks. I bypassed the switch on a buddies car. THE CAR CAN NOW BE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT STEPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. but thats what he wanted. wouldn't recommend that on a 16 year olds car.

gab · Feb 17, 2012

More than likely pop spilled in shifter (replace) or broken wire at the bottom of shifter.

Just a little O.T.---GM mechanics take a look, please

Wayne in MN

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Anonymous-0

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glennster

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Brokenwrench

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Jim in MN

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Dean

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jddriver

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M-MAN

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oldtanker

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Anonymous-0

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cannonball

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Sprint 6

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cjackman

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Hobo,NC

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MarkWV

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bradk

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buickanddeere

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luv2wrench

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gab

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