Stuck Key Solution or Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

obiwan66 · 09-15-2010, 11:31 AM

Sunday, I was out in my SS/RS, I ran a couple of errands and returned home. When I tried to remove the key it would not come out. I then went throug the forum and found the thread about a bad shif knob. I wasn't able to call Onstar for a couple of hours so the car sat in my garage until then. It was 7pm when the tow truck driver called to pick up the car. He suggested picking up the car in the morning because he didn't want to leave the car anywhere with the key stuck (you could just drive off in it). The next when the tow arrived the battery was dead! (go figure). Anyway, when I spoke to the dealer he said the battery was the problem and they replaced the battery. He told me when the battery was replaced the key released. I don't think this is the fix what do you guys think?

epstein · 09-15-2010, 11:33 AM

New Gm Vehicles will not release the key if the battery is dead........

Dead battery is your issue

soulcages01 · 09-15-2010, 11:38 AM

The real question is - how do you have a dead battery in 2010 for a car that didn't come out until 2009?

obiwan66 · 09-15-2010, 11:48 AM

I wasn't having any problems with the batttey prior to the key getting stuck! I had made several stops that day and everything was fine until I returned home.

Rogue Leader · 09-15-2010, 11:52 AM

The steering wheel lock occasionally holds my key in, next time try turning the steering wheel a bit while pulling on it and the key will release.

Tallboy · 09-15-2010, 11:53 AM

Your owner's manual tells you how to remove the key if the battery goes dead.

obiwan66 · 09-15-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

The steering wheel lock occasionally holds my key in, next time try turning the steering wheel a bit while pulling on it and the key will release.

Didn't work.... I have owned lots of cars and this is usually a remedy not in this case.

clg_98ta · 09-15-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallboy

Your owner's manual tells you how to remove the key if the battery goes dead.

What section is that in? I couldn't find it.

SS/RS NJ · 09-15-2010, 12:15 PM

I work for a dealership and you can have a defective battery, not often but it happens. We have a machine that can test for this but sometimes you have to run multiple test to get a defect code in order to warranty. Do you have any Aftermarket mods added to the electrical system that could be causing a drain?

Did you pull in and then the car just went dead and you couldn't get the key out?
It could have been a loose connection on the terminal that got jarred as you pulled in and caused the battery to lose connection and the car would appear dead.

Tallboy · 09-15-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

What section is that in? I couldn't find it.

"Driving and operating" under "Key lock release". Page 9-21 of my 2011 owner's manual.

MillerTime · 09-15-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulcages01

The real question is - how do you have a dead battery in 2010 for a car that didn't come out until 2009?

Because the heat here in AZ kills batteries... 2 years and your doing GOOD on most batteries here...

Angrybird 12 · 09-15-2010, 12:29 PM

Batteries sometimes will short out internally and go dead. I don't care who makes them, you can get a bad battery just as easily as any other item you buy. that is why there is warranties on batteries. I've had bad luck with those Optima Batteries 1 year and Kaput if they are not diven for a week.... but most people will swear by them...
If it happens again i would look for something that is draining your battery or maybe it had the battery cable problem that some of the early SS cars had..

i007spectre · 09-15-2010, 12:29 PM

Owners manual section 8-18 Key lock release.

This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic key lock release system.
The key lock release is designed
to prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in P (Park).
The key lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9 volt) battery. If the vehicle has an
uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump
starting the battery.
If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, remove the
plug covering the hole below the
ignition lock. Insert a screwdriver into
the opening as far as it will go and
remove the key from the ignition.

justincase_2008 · 09-15-2010, 03:42 PM

yeah my old 93 camaro u could take the key out and it would run no problem was always weird to me.

09-15-2010, 11:31 AM	#1
obiwan66 Drives: 2SS/RS White/Orange Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tucson Posts: 25	Stuck Key Solution or Question Sunday, I was out in my SS/RS, I ran a couple of errands and returned home. When I tried to remove the key it would not come out. I then went throug the forum and found the thread about a bad shif knob. I wasn't able to call Onstar for a couple of hours so the car sat in my garage until then. It was 7pm when the tow truck driver called to pick up the car. He suggested picking up the car in the morning because he didn't want to leave the car anywhere with the key stuck (you could just drive off in it). The next when the tow arrived the battery was dead! (go figure). Anyway, when I spoke to the dealer he said the battery was the problem and they replaced the battery. He told me when the battery was replaced the key released. I don't think this is the fix what do you guys think?

09-15-2010, 11:52 AM	#5
Rogue Leader Iatefiberglassinsulation Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,601 View My Garage	The steering wheel lock occasionally holds my key in, next time try turning the steering wheel a bit while pulling on it and the key will release. __________________ 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS - was daily driver, now toy 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - Daily Driver 2017 Mercedes Benz GLE 350 - Wifes Car 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.0 - Tow Vehicle 1991 Alfa Romeo 164S - Project Car 1994 Volkswagen Golf - Race Car "Like" my race team on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/farfrumwinnin

09-15-2010, 12:15 PM	#9
SS/RS NJ Chevy/Buick Internet Mgr Drives: 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northern, NJ Posts: 78 View My Garage	I work for a dealership and you can have a defective battery, not often but it happens. We have a machine that can test for this but sometimes you have to run multiple test to get a defect code in order to warranty. Do you have any Aftermarket mods added to the electrical system that could be causing a drain? Did you pull in and then the car just went dead and you couldn't get the key out? It could have been a loose connection on the terminal that got jarred as you pulled in and caused the battery to lose connection and the car would appear dead. __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Victory Red AEM C.A.I. MGW Shifter - tried the Hurst...save your money and get the MGW. MTI Rear dovetail spoiler. Replaced: 2010 Silver Ice A6 2SS/RS

09-15-2010, 12:29 PM	#12
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	Batteries sometimes will short out internally and go dead. I don't care who makes them, you can get a bad battery just as easily as any other item you buy. that is why there is warranties on batteries. I've had bad luck with those Optima Batteries 1 year and Kaput if they are not diven for a week.... but most people will swear by them... If it happens again i would look for something that is draining your battery or maybe it had the battery cable problem that some of the early SS cars had.. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

09-15-2010, 12:29 PM	#13
i007spectre Drives: 2016 2SS, 2008 HHR ECTO-2H Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 1,927 View My Garage	Owners manual section 8-18 Key lock release. This vehicle is equipped with an electronic key lock release system. The key lock release is designed to prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is in P (Park). The key lock release is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt) battery. If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery. If charging or jump starting the battery does not work, remove the plug covering the hole below the ignition lock. Insert a screwdriver into the opening as far as it will go and remove the key from the ignition. __________________ 2016 Camaro 2SS. Hyper Blue, Ceramic White, Auto, MRC, and NPP. 1100 - 9/25 2000 - 9/28 3000 - 9/30 3100 - 10/27 3300 - 10/28 3400 - 10/29 TPW 11/09 3800 - 11/10 4300 - 11/24 4B00 - 11/25 4200 - 12/5 5000 - 12/7 6000 - 12/11

09-15-2010, 11:33 AM	#2
epstein Account Suspended Drives: SS/RS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Transplanted from NYC..(ret. NYPD).Now in CT Posts: 904	New Gm Vehicles will not release the key if the battery is dead........ Dead battery is your issue

09-15-2010, 11:38 AM	#3
soulcages01 Drives: * Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: * Posts: 6	The real question is - how do you have a dead battery in 2010 for a car that didn't come out until 2009?

09-15-2010, 11:48 AM	#4
obiwan66 Drives: 2SS/RS White/Orange Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tucson Posts: 25	I wasn't having any problems with the batttey prior to the key getting stuck! I had made several stops that day and everything was fine until I returned home.

09-15-2010, 11:53 AM	#6
Tallboy Say "when"... Drives: 11 2LT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 431	Your owner's manual tells you how to remove the key if the battery goes dead.

09-15-2010, 03:42 PM	#14
justincase_2008 The Freak Kid Drives: ABM 2010 SS/RS White strips Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,212 View My Garage	yeah my old 93 camaro u could take the key out and it would run no problem was always weird to me. __________________

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