Difficult to Rotate Key Or Cannot remove Key From Ignition Cylinder - keywords 03 04 05 06 07 8 AB adjust bind cylinder hard ignition intermittent ION key saturn shifter stuck switch turn

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

A technician may find the ignition key is difficult to rotate or cannot be removed from the ignition lock cylinder. This may be an intermittent condition.

These concerns may be caused by two separate conditions. To determine which condition is present remove the small access panel from the bottom of steering column. Using your index finger to locate the ignition lock cylinder control actuator pin (it will help to wiggle key while feeling for the actuator pin), manually depress the ignition lock cylinder control actuator pin for the ignition cylinder lock towards the driver's door while turning the ignition key towards the lock position. See Doc. ID 1613678-Ignition Positions/Shift Lock Release.

Note: A sticking shifter button (from spills or interference) can cause a similar condition and should be addressed first.

If the key now rotates to the off position and can be removed follow procedures in SI Doc. #1714295-Ignition Key Cannot Be Removed from the Ignition Lock Cylinder. If the technician completes all 13 steps of this document and vehicle still exhibits condition replace shifter module assembly.

If the ignition lock cylinder control actuator pin is depressed and the key still does not rotate or is difficult to turn, check the ignition lock cylinder and housing for binding. Refer to SI Doc. #1752702-Ignition Key Cannot Turn or Sticks in Any Position.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.