2016 CANYON: Can't remove the ignition key.

[dougn]

Occasionally I've not been able to remove the ignition key. I have turned the key from ACC to START,  moved the shift lever from Park to Drive, held the brake down, etc. etc.

Today nothing worked!

 

After giving up trying to remove the key, I disconnected the negative battery cable so the battery would not discharge with the key in ACC position. 

I was able to remove the key. The ignition cylinder seemed to function OKAY.

I turned the key on and off multiple times with no problem. (battery disconnected)

I reconnected the battery, started the car, turned off the car, the ignition would not turn to OFF, only ACC.

I disconnect the battery and the ignition key cylinder can be turned to OFF and the key removed.

I did this three times and each time the ignition cylinder functioned normally.

I also noticed that when I was reattaching the battery cable there was a slight spark, indicating a possible closed interlock circuit.

 

I am told by a service writer at a GMC dealership that there is an interlock circuit consisting of the ignition cylinder, an ignition cylinder interlock device, the shift lever, the brake pedal and the associated wiring.

There is a switch/sensor at the brake pedal and at the shift lever. These are connected via a computer to the ignition cylinder interlock module in the steering column. The GMC guy also told me there could be an issue with the wires in the harness.

 

I am an electrician but not a mechanic. I understand an open or closed circuit.

Does this scenario (disconnect the battery and remove the key) indicate one of the two sensors or the wiring between the sensors and computer is defective; meaning the sensor is not opening. 

Does this scenario seem to indicate the ignition cylinder and ignition cylinder interlock device in the steering column are functioning correctly?

 

Can these sensors be changed at home OR do they require a computer update after installation which would necessitate a trip to the dealership?

 

Thank you for any feedback, enlightenment and help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[newdude]

They gave you too much info.

 

There is two well known culprits for this on the 15-22 Colorado/Canyon.  Poorly seated shifter knob, and transmission shift control which contains the electrical switch which is not serviced separately.  We've had a few get fixed with just the knob, but most of them otherwise get the knob and the shift control.

 

Here's one of the PIs about this from GM:

 

#PI1429B: Ignition Key Cannot Be Removed and/or Does Not Rotate to the Off Position - (Jun 2, 2017)

 

Subject: Ignition Key Cannot Be Removed and/or Does Not Rotate to the “Off” Position

Models: 2015-2018 Chevrolet Colorado

2015-2018 GMC Canyon

 

This PI has been revised to add 2016-2018 Model Years. Please discard PI1429A.

 

Condition/Concern

Some customers may comment that they cannot remove the ignition key and/or that the key may not fully rotate to the “off” position (Engine does shut off).

 

Customers may also comment that the shift lever button appears to be already depressed.

This may be caused by the transmission control lever knob assembly not being fully seated when the vehicle was assembled, causing the shifter button to not fully engage/disengage.

Recommendation/Instructions
 

Technicians should inspect and verify that the transmission control lever knob is fully seated and engaged and operating correctly before replacing any parts. The shifter knob button should stand out (popped out) and NOT have the appearance of being depressed or pushed in.

 

If the shifter assembly is properly installed and the condition still exists, refer to SI for further diagnosis. If diagnosis finds that the shifter control lever knob needs to be replaced, ONLY replace the transmission control lever knob. DO NOT replace the transmission control.

 

 

And the other one:

 

#PIT5880: Diagnostic Aid: Key Will Not Rotate Back To Lock Position Intermittently - (Dec 23, 2021)

Subject: Diagnostic Aid: Key Will Not Rotate Back To Lock Position Intermittently

 

Involved Region or Country

North America, Korea

Condition

 Key will intermittently not rotate back to lock and cannot be removed. 

Cause

Incorrect or no input to the BCM from the park switch in the shifter. 

 

As always, if there are related codes present follow the eSI diagnostic for those codes. If the customer claims this issue there can be a few possible causes. First, check the shifter knob and verify that it is fully seated and is not loose. Second, verify that the shift boot is not interfering with the shaft and that the shifter moves all the way forward . If those things check out there is likely in intermittent issue with the switch internal to the shifter. It is not serviceable and the shifter would need to be replaced. 

[dougn]

6 hours ago, newdude said:

They gave you too much info.

 

There is two well known culprits for this on the 15-22 Colorado/Canyon.  Poorly seated shifter knob, and transmission shift control which contains the electrical switch which is not serviced separately.  We've had a few get fixed with just the knob, but most of them otherwise get the knob and the shift control.

 

Here's one of the PIs about this from GM:

 

#PI1429B: Ignition Key Cannot Be Removed and/or Does Not Rotate to the Off Position - (Jun 2, 2017)

 

Subject: Ignition Key Cannot Be Removed and/or Does Not Rotate to the “Off” Position

Models: 2015-2018 Chevrolet Colorado

2015-2018 GMC Canyon

 

This PI has been revised to add 2016-2018 Model Years. Please discard PI1429A.

 

Condition/Concern

Some customers may comment that they cannot remove the ignition key and/or that the key may not fully rotate to the “off” position (Engine does shut off).

 

Customers may also comment that the shift lever button appears to be already depressed.

This may be caused by the transmission control lever knob assembly not being fully seated when the vehicle was assembled, causing the shifter button to not fully engage/disengage.

Recommendation/Instructions
 

Technicians should inspect and verify that the transmission control lever knob is fully seated and engaged and operating correctly before replacing any parts. The shifter knob button should stand out (popped out) and NOT have the appearance of being depressed or pushed in.

 

If the shifter assembly is properly installed and the condition still exists, refer to SI for further diagnosis. If diagnosis finds that the shifter control lever knob needs to be replaced, ONLY replace the transmission control lever knob. DO NOT replace the transmission control.

 

 

And the other one:

 

#PIT5880: Diagnostic Aid: Key Will Not Rotate Back To Lock Position Intermittently - (Dec 23, 2021)

Subject: Diagnostic Aid: Key Will Not Rotate Back To Lock Position Intermittently

 

Involved Region or Country

North America, Korea

Condition

 Key will intermittently not rotate back to lock and cannot be removed. 

Cause

Incorrect or no input to the BCM from the park switch in the shifter. 

 

As always, if there are related codes present follow the eSI diagnostic for those codes. If the customer claims this issue there can be a few possible causes. First, check the shifter knob and verify that it is fully seated and is not loose. Second, verify that the shift boot is not interfering with the shaft and that the shifter moves all the way forward . If those things check out there is likely in intermittent issue with the switch internal to the shifter. It is not serviceable and the shifter would need to be replaced. 

THANK YOU!

[dougn]

I not sure if I am posting correctly. We'll find out.

A friend helped me. 

We discovered that if I wait 30 seconds to 1 minute I can remove the key.

If I listen carefully I can here a very slight click that seems to be coming from the steering column.

After the click, I can remove the key.

Does this indicate a software issue? I am going to try and live with this;

waiting 30 to 60 seconds to turn the key to thew OFF position and then removing.

I'd be interested to know if other people have used this (waiting 30 to 60 seconds) as their solution.

[davester]

If it wasn't doing this before, I would lean more towards some solenoid in the steering column being stuck due to age or debris, and not a spontaneous programming change.

[newdude]

17 hours ago, dougn said:

I not sure if I am posting correctly. We'll find out.

A friend helped me. 

We discovered that if I wait 30 seconds to 1 minute I can remove the key.

If I listen carefully I can here a very slight click that seems to be coming from the steering column.

After the click, I can remove the key.

Does this indicate a software issue? I am going to try and live with this;

waiting 30 to 60 seconds to turn the key to thew OFF position and then removing.

I'd be interested to know if other people have used this (waiting 30 to 60 seconds) as their solution.

 

 

Hardware, not software.

 

Park switch in the shifter, the shifter boot, I suppose it could be the M93 Key Capture Solenoid Actuator, which is a part of the ignition lock cylinder housing, but IMO that's the least likely culprit that I've seen. 

 

That solenoid in the column isn't seeing signal that the transmission is in park to allow the key to rotate back, which is why the shifter issue is the primary likely cause of what's going on.  

 

 

[GMCustomerService]

These difficulties you're experiencing with your Canyon's ignition key is alarming for us to hear, Doug. We want to connect further so we can learn more and provide you with our support alongside your servicing GMC dealer to help rectify these challenges the best we can. To get started, kindly send us an email with these details to [email protected]. With that, please be sure to include "Dougn GM Trucks Forums" in the subject line of your outreach. We look forward to assisting you further.