Help, please: Silverado key won't turn.
 

Help, please...

On a 2002 Silverado 1500, all-of-a-sudden the key will not turn.
The gear-shift lever seems to be stuck in Park,
but the steering wheel does move. The key is removable.

I've searched this, and other forums, and found some suggestions:
1. tap the key with a hammer; didn't help.
2. unhook the battery for several hours; didn't help.

I followed the Haynes manual to remove the ignition switch...
disassembled many dashboard parts, to get access to the switch...
now, it says to turn the key to "on",
then push the pin thru the access hole, and the switch will slide out.
That's cool, But I Cannot Turn The Key . :(

Underneath, I disconnected the trans cable at the trans,
and with a wrench, I was able to shift the tranny into all of the gears.
Still, the gear-shift lever will not move.

Any ideas, people?

Thanks very much, in advance.

Mark53

This may sound stupid but have you tried rocking the wheel and turning the key at the same time?

the only other explanation is catastrophic failure of the switch/column.

Thanks for the reply, Hick.
Yes,... I tried that; didn't help.
I also tried slamming the adjustable steering wheel height to both extremes; didn't help.
Please... some more ideas, people. How to remove that ignition switch?

Thanks.

Mark53

This may sound even more stupid, but I don't know if you have more than one of these vehicles, but, is it the right key?

Do you have a heavy keychain attached?

This swinging weight degrades the lock

cylinder.

Did you try a new key? If its the original it could be worn down to the point it won't work. If the new key doesn't help get a new cylinder.

Thanks very much for the replies, people.

I'm sure that this is the correct key.
Still, I tried the spare key that's normally in a desk drawer; didn't help.
(I did read a post somewhere about a guy who's "friend" played a practical joke...
switched lookalike keys. Same circumstances as my current problem.
I'm sure that's not the case here.)

Only one other key is on the keyring. Very light-weight.

"Get a new cylinder"... I'd like to do that.
But the Haynes manual says I need to turn the key to remove the current cylinder.
And I cannot turn the key.

I'm starting to think that the only option is to remove the cylinder with a slap-hammer,
like the car thieves do. :)

Any other ideas?

Again, thanks very much for your help.

Well, you might try more "force" with a pair of channel locks.

Kevin, feel your pain.
Most likely, pins in lock cylinder came out and locked the lock. Truly, cylinder needs to be lubricated once in a while, as they use bimetallic pair, and it causes ton of galvanization in the lock itself.
For starters, book says to have it in Start (earlier models) or Run position, not in On position.
But if you can't turn it, it does not really matter, right, bud?
I'd say go banzai on it and drill the core out. No need to shadder half steering column with hammers and thieves tools.
There should be flat recess deep in the lock well thereafter, and you can insert flat head into it and should be able to start car with it. Of course, BCM will be looking for key and want to disable fuel pump and ignition.
Does the steering wheel turn freely? Mechanically and per design, if you have steering wheel locked, key will not turn, and you have to release tension on locking pin to turn the key.
It all looks, because of chipped keys and BCM, like a major trip to dealer and new locks, and new keyys, and full reset for ECM/BCM. As you need door to be opened by same key too, right?

Well,... just FYI.. here's a status update, people...

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/att...1&d=1368390824

I removed the white plastic wheel (A) in the middle.
Then, I removed the big black "controls assembly" (B) on the left side (just for the heck of it).
With the (A) removed, I had access to the two torx screws that hold on the ignition assembly (C).
I removed that... and with that assembly in hand, the key works. It can turn.
I put the ignition assembly (C) back, on, and the spare key works,
but the most-used key (quite worn) works rarely... only after playing with it for a while.
SO,... the problem seems to be solved,
but I didn't find anything that caused the problem in the first place.
That's kinda' frustrating.
Maybe the problem will arise again next week, when I'm on the road somewhere.

Any ideas as to what caused the original problem?

Woops... another problem...
In reassembling, I have a spare part...

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/att...1&d=1368390824

I vaguely remember that it was a secondary holding/mounting for a wire/cable?
Anybody know where that little plastic piece (about an inch long) goes?

Again,... thanks.