Key stuck in ignition/ Battery Issue

[Deke736]

I need some help from you guys. I seem to having a battery issue. I haven't driven the car in at least a week, and when I went to pop the trunk this morning my Technostalgia taillights started flashing constant but at a reduced power output, and the trunk did not release. I opened the drivers door to push the button and it wouldn't pop there either, and the dome light had low light output. I'm figuring that the battery is almost dead or has a bad connection somewhere. I put the key in the ignition just to see if it will crank and I get nothing but a few clicks.

Now here's the weird part, I cannot get the key out of the ignition. I turned it back and forth to no avail. I pulled on it, wiggled it, and nothing. Not wanting to damage the iginition cylinder, I just left it for now.

I am thinking the battery issue might just be a loose power connection to the engine bay fuse box since I was testing my new scanner bar that I got from AAC last week. I hope I just forgot to tighten the bolt back down when I unhooked the scanner. I don't think it's my taillights since they have been installed for 6 months without any issues, but I will be checking that out as well this evening.

It's the stuck key that has me really confused. Would this be some sort of safety mechanism due to the dead battery (or almost dead)? I ended up having to take my other car to work and I left the key in the ignition with the taillights flashing away (they never turned off after trying to pop the trunk).

Has anybody experienced this before?

EDIT: UPDATE: after putting the car on a battery charger for a few minutes we were able to get the key out. Now the battery is charging and hopefully I can find the source of the drain after work tonight.

[E-Ray]

I have heard alot of complaints on those tail lights, causing problems just like yours. Thats why I never bought them.

[drrm123]

Try pulling on the steering wheel in either direction while trying to remove the key. Mine sticks sometimes but from pressure from wheels, I guess you call it torque lock. I have let my car sit without starting issues for a month.

[THR ZL1 #1]

Yes make sure the steering lock is not causing "pressure" on the cylinder.

Just slightly turn the wheel a bit left or right and see . . .

[chevy 3]

I had this happen.hook up jump cables and then you can get your key out. That's what happened to me.

[Deke736]

Originally Posted by E-Ray

I have heard alot of complaints on those tail lights, causing problems just like yours. Thats why I never bought them.

I am not ruling this out as the issue, but I don't think this is it only because I was messing around with the electrical power the other day while testing the AAC lights. In order to hook up power to the LED's I used the main power wire to the engine compartment fuse box since it is easy to access. I am hoping that I just didn't tighten it back up. It is on my list to test tonight when I get home. I hope the taillights aren't the cause, because they are one of my favorite mods and I have not had any problems to date!

Originally Posted by drrm123

Try pulling on the steering wheel in either direction while trying to remove the key. Mine sticks sometimes but from pressure from wheels, I guess you call it torque lock. I have let my car sit without starting issues for a month.

That was the first thing I tried. The wheels turn freely, but the key won't budge. I have let mine sit for long periods too without problems, which was part of my confusion this morning.

Originally Posted by chevy 3

I had this happen.hook up jump cables and then you can get your key out. That's what happened to me.

I will try this! The more I thought about it it makes sense that the lack of power caused the ignition to lock. Since the fuses for the starter and the ignition are under the hood, I am really leaning toward the loose power wire to the fuse box in the engine compartment. My dad is going to swing by the house in a little while to check it out for me while I am at work and if necessary put the battery on a charger.

Thanks for the input guys. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know! It is going to drive me crazy sitting here in the office wondering what it could be until I get home tonight.

[DwRed1LTV6]

Hope you get it sorted out and find the drain or
what ever to the battery. ~

Dont know why it does that , The key getting stuck
but i have a 2003 S10 Blazer and when its battery
was real low i could not remove the key either.
And i was dumb enuff to do it twice

[Deke736]

Originally Posted by Silver85IrocZ

Hope you get it sorted out and find the drain or
what ever to the battery. ~

Dont know why it does that , The key getting stuck
but i have a 2003 S10 Blazer and when its battery
was real low i could not remove the key either.
And i was dumb enuff to do it twice

Thanks! I hope it's a simple fix. Are you in the St. Louis area? I am too- I live in Glen Carbon, IL but work over in Sunset Hills, MO.

[Mr pogo]

well hopefully the key being stuck is because of low voltage.
chevy HHRs had a recall last year for the key unable to turn off or remove, we sent two of our customers straight to the dealer unable to turn them off.

[HDRDTD]

I'm curious.
What is there in the ignition key cylinder that would be able to physically prevent a key from being pulled out?

now, I'm assuming that the key cylinder is turned to the 'off' position.

[christianmotox]

When the battery is low the Technostalgia taillights with go in to show mode, and they are always drawing current from the battery, The manufacturer has acknowledged that the lights will eventually drain the battery if the car is not used ofter and you dont use a trickle charger. As of right now the manufacturer doesn't have a solution for this problem.

I have no idea whats the deal with the key not being released. but most definitely looks like the dead battery is the cause here.

[lawdog]

It's a simple fix, done this for a few friends already, you need a heavy duty battery charger and charge the battery up from the posts under the hood, after you get an adequate charge, you will be able to turn the car on, then the key will work normal again!

You will have to reset your windows though, up down a few times with the door closed

this is not any kind of a defect in the auto, it's just the way it works, the key cylinder needs power to release the key, not sure why, but they all do that from what I understand.

[Normagene]

Keep us posted. I agree with you that's its very unlikely the taillights have anything to do with the key/power. I just recently purchased the taillights, haven't installed yet, still looking for a good install video to watch first and warmer weather. Most likely since you were working with the power connections, I'd think that may be the cause. Also, do you have a "mild to wild" switch? Instructions say to keep it in the "OFF" position if its going to be sitting awhile or it can drain the battery.

Have you called/talked to a tech at your dealership service dept? Had mine in a week or so ago to get my warranty tire and new rim installed. I noticed that when the tech was finished he did something that had the lights, all I could see was the back end of my car, flashing in some odd/irregular mode and the horn sounded as well. He wasn't in the car when he did this, so I should of asked him "what the heck was that" but forgot about it when he later handed me the keys. And no it wasn't the alarm. Anyway this could be an on-going problem with Chevy vehicles from what other comments/responses people have posted.

[Deke736]

Thanks again for the advice! The taillights did go into show mode, which now makes sense with the low battery.

I'm curious though why I would need charge the battery on a charger from the front posts and not directly to the battery? Is there a difference?