'84 key stuck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Hendersonville NC
'84 key stuck
Been having a problem on and off for 3 weeks with key not coming out of ignition lock when I shut it off. It acts like there is a blockage that will not allow key to turn all the way off. No matter how much pressue I put on key, it will not come to lock position.
Anyone experience this before?
Anyone experience this before?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,422
Likes: 602
From: Minneapolis Mn
Vette - no, other vehicle -yes. It was a bad cylinder in my case.
Here's something you can try if it's stuck. Take something like a plastic handled screwdriver and tap the cylinder while trying to turn the key to get it out. If it works, you likely also have a cylinder going bad like I had.
In my case I had my mechanic change it out. He was able to get the new cylinder keyed to use the existing keys so other than now actually working, everything else was the same.
Good luck.
Here's something you can try if it's stuck. Take something like a plastic handled screwdriver and tap the cylinder while trying to turn the key to get it out. If it works, you likely also have a cylinder going bad like I had.
In my case I had my mechanic change it out. He was able to get the new cylinder keyed to use the existing keys so other than now actually working, everything else was the same.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 583
From: New Port Richey FL
There are many things that can keep your key from being able to be turned to the locked/remove position. 1 is a Killed Cylinder but also your park/Reverse interlock cable out of adjustment or just not working can keep the key from being able to return. a bad Ignition switch it self or a problem with the Rack and rod for the switch, I am sorry to say but you will need to roll up your sleeves and do a little digging
Last edited by s carter; Nov 30, 2017 at 05:21 PM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
As future PM, try using a thin layer of WD40 (trolls, warm up your key board here) on your key and moving it in, out, around, back and forth.
You don't want drips on your key, just enough to have a thin coating. I find that doing that PM kept the 25ish year old tumblers lubed and happy.
If WD40 does not do the trick, you will most likely need to get a new cylinder.
You don't want drips on your key, just enough to have a thin coating. I find that doing that PM kept the 25ish year old tumblers lubed and happy.
If WD40 does not do the trick, you will most likely need to get a new cylinder.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 1,121
From: Vermilion OH
I'm with the above on a park interlock cable. If its a manual trans, make sure that the gear shifter is completely in reverse. If its an automatic, you may want to move the gear selector through the gears a few times and back into park to see if that helps.
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Another possibility if it's not shift lock cable related is a failed pinion on the lock cylinder shaft or lock actuator rack and rod. There's much to consider. Lubing a cylinder if it already rotates through to crank and back to off but not lock generally I doubt a fix.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Hendersonville NC
'84 stuck shifter
Me too!!
Another possibility if it's not shift lock cable related is a failed pinion on the lock cylinder shaft or lock actuator rack and rod. There's much to consider. Lubing a cylinder if it already rotates through to crank and back to off but not lock generally I doubt a fix.
Another possibility if it's not shift lock cable related is a failed pinion on the lock cylinder shaft or lock actuator rack and rod. There's much to consider. Lubing a cylinder if it already rotates through to crank and back to off but not lock generally I doubt a fix.
SOOOOO much to consider here. Thanks for all the thoughts. Maybe something will work for me. Thing is, it does't do it all the time, thank GOD!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 583
From: New Port Richey FL
If you do buy a Cylinder remember that C-4s use the Black trimmed Cylinder Opposed to the Chrome Trimmed used in the C-3s and Caprices, Sometimes the Parts Store Zombies will drop the Chrome one on the Counter.
Last edited by s carter; Dec 2, 2017 at 10:31 AM.