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Key gets stuck in ignition after shifting into park. Problem diagnosed as related to a switch that is actuated by the button on the gear shift, either the switch is faulty or it is not being depressed correctly.
The fix – I have manually bent the metal lever on the switch slightly downwards (an extra 2 or 3 mm maybe) so that when the gear shift lever striker moves upwards, it pushes down harder on the switch mechanism.
Update 2019-03-02 – Since I made this video 2 weeks ago the fix has worked flawlessly, have had no issues with the key getting stuck in the ignition since.
This vehicle was also sold as the Opel & Vauxhall Antara, Chevrolet & Holden Captiva 5, GMC Terrain and Daewoo Winstorm Maxx.
Here is a link to the problem as it affects other GM models of a similar vintage: https://gm.oemdtc.com/972/14632c-special-coverage-adjustment-unable-to-remove-ignition-key-2003-2011-chevrolet-pontiac-saturn
Here is an article about the ‘special coverage adjustment’ offered on similar GM vehicles for the same problem, just not this one:
https://www.autonews.com/article/20141211/OEM/141219956/gm-offers-fix-on-small-car-ignitions-to-prevent-stuck-keys
I submitted the issue to the NHTSA, maybe if enough people do the same who are having the same issue GM will start fixing it for free. But replacing the whole gear assembly, which it sounds like is what they’ll do, instead of just the switch (if the switch is the problem) seems wasteful to me!
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What is the part called?
Thank you so much. I ran across this video accidentally. When I told my mechanic the issue I was having with my Saturn vue he said it was something else and told me to order another part which was very difficult to get. I shared this video with him and he got me to order and he fixed my car. No problem now. Thank you.
I've owned an Original 2008 Saturn Vue XE FWD (17 years and counting) that I purchased the year it came out. I've found that the real problem is not the switch. The problem is the mechanism that pushes up the plastic rod which pushes up on the metal contact on the switch to make contact with the switch sensor. What happens is that over time, the grease tha is used to make the mechanism run smoth, gums up and gets sticky. This prevents the plastic rod from pushing the metal contact up all the way right away, and instead it becomes sticky and goes up very slowly taking a long time to make contact. Hence, the reason why you have to wait a while to take out the key – because the mechanism is sticking and going up very slowly. I have repaired several over the years by cleaning and re-greasing the push up mechanism for the lever and making sure that it is not sticking and that it pushes up all the way up when you put it in the park position. This should fix the issue.
I had this issue… all u gotta do is tap the end of the key with the handle of a screwdriver, or a pocket knife, some pliers… whatever u have on hand… & get a new key cut. That's important. No joke. No problems since.
Can please post a link to the switch and where I can buy it? Thank you
cut the two wires, twist them together and put a cap on them. Key comes out no problem. Source: just did it after years of painfully working this this problem. I had the switch pulled out and was manually pushing the button. One day I twisted the whole switch so the wires touched and heard the click of the key releasing. Took the gamble, cut the wires and stripped them back, twisted and capped.
Winning
My 2003 ion Saturn can someone fix my car locked key