2001 Pontiac Aztek Logo
Posted on Sep 12, 2008

Key locked in ignition... can't get it out. HELP!

Got home from a trip and parked the car and attempted to get my car key out of the ignition. I found it was locked and unable to be retrieved. It would not go all the way towards me and thus placed a strain on the battery and now I have car keys stuck in the ignition AND a dead battery! Help? I have tried ramming the automatic shift up and down several times to see if I could get it to disengage the ignition switch. Didn't work though.

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  • donspradling Oct 13, 2008

    Same problem! I use a key or pencil and stick into hole!

  • hakimi Dec 07, 2008

    I cannot get my key out of the accessory postion of my 2001 Pontiac Aztez. In additon, I cannot ascertain which hole you place the pencil into. Is it under the sterring column or under the steering wheel itself? I placed a phillips screwdriver into the hole, only to run into a metal plate. Am I putting the screwdriver into the right hole?

  • Anonymous Dec 30, 2008

    My aztec did this and also won't start probably the battery not sure key is still in the ignition and car won't start and can't get the key out

  • Anonymous Jan 02, 2009

    I have same problem there is a little hole with a cap on steering column if you take this off and then stick a small screwdriver up there it will depress the lock and you can get your key out

  • ishibabe Feb 15, 2009

    My key got locked in the ignition and I used the screwdriver to unlock it. But, that didn't fix the problem. Now every time I turn off my car it locks and my key gets stuck again. Does anyone know the solution to the problem? The whole problem. Why is it locking up every time?

  • toniaboyd Mar 03, 2009

    i found the hole with the little cap on it I removed the cap and stuck a pencil in there but I am not hitting anything what am I doing wrong?? please help I am going crazy trying to get my keys out

  • Anonymous Jul 31, 2013

    I have had this happen to me twice now- the first time I replaced the ignition this time the car had not been able to start and we tried to reset the pass lock for the key and it will no longer release it. Cannot figure out what is up.

  • Anonymous Mar 13, 2014

    key got stuck in on position and had to disconnect battery and fuel pump fuse to kill it. then removed ignition from car and key is still stuck. how can I unlock it?

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  • Posted on Oct 19, 2008
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I had this problem. To get your key out a pencil or thin bolt 2-3" long is needed. Look under the steering wheel and you will see a hole (not a screw hole). Press up with the pencil and you will depress a lever and you can turn and remove your key. You can keep doing this forever, if you like, but the problem is the neutral Park switch which is located under the console where the shifter is. When you get the cover off, which takes a little patience, you will see a switch up towards the top near the Park position. There is a broken or shorted wire that connects to that switch. I think in mine and maybe yours the wire was installed in a bad spot and got pinched, eventually it breaks or wears thru. How it works is when you put it in park it touches thaat switch which turn on a tiny sloenoid in your key mechanism which depress that lever you pushed with you pencil, and you can then turn off the car and remove your key! Fix the broken wire and you are back in business.
Walt

  • Anonymous Sep 08, 2012

    What color is the wire that is causing the problems?

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  • Posted on Oct 02, 2008
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TAKE A PAPER CLIP UNFOLD ONE END AND UNDER SWHEEL COLUMN THERE IS A HOLE PUT P CLIP UP AND PRESS SPRING AND U CAN TURN KEY IN OFF POS. AND TAKE KEY OUT.TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I DONT KNOW SOME SAY A SWITCH UNDER CAR.

  • Anonymous Apr 22, 2012

    under car no, but i know on my 96 lincoln town car the brake switch went bad, and it had these problems, its located just off the brake pedal. for other cars such as my buddys 96 acura legend the lockout is actually located in the center console on the gearshift... i belive walt said this

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  • Posted on Mar 25, 2009
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Hi guys i have that probleme and my garage told me that it a liltle motor that press a spring that make the key release but if u have it now and dont want to spend 100$ of dollars take a pencil or a long screwjiver and under the colum you will see there are 3 holes and it the one on the right ( if u put a screwgiver in it you will feel a spring ( once u feel it press it and take out your key :)


it a drag but tell yourself it better than 800$ for a new colum or 200$ for the part witch gm barely have beside nova scotia and the states ;)

have fun


sacha Montreal

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  • Posted on Mar 21, 2010
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Got home from a trip and parked the car and attempted to get my car key out of the ignition. I found it was locked and unable to be retrieved. It would not go all the way towards me and thus placed a strain on the battery and now I have car keys stuck in the ignition AND a dead battery! Help? I have tried ramming the automatic shift up and down several times to see if I could get it to disengage the ignition switch.

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  • Posted on Jan 18, 2011
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I have just found out a solution to your problem. The lock mechanism is an anti-theft response. In order to remove your key, you must slightly turn your steering wheel back and forth while turning your key to the "lock" position, which will allow you to remove your key. For further information, see you car instructions manual. Hope this helps. Cheers :)

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  • Posted on Feb 08, 2009
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If you can't find the solution in the first helper try open your cars steering cloum & hit the little button behind the key whole. it should be gold/silver, once pressed your key will turn back toward you & your good to go.

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  • Posted on Dec 27, 2008
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Our fule gauge in our beloved Aztek can read as full or empty. Never in between. odometer never work olsa no digital light. noting show up how mach KM.

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  • Posted on Mar 15, 2009
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I have a tom tom GPS that wont turn on,it worked 2 days ago and wont work now.Can you help me

Bill Haigh

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