Chevy Equinox key stuck problem
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Chevy Equinox stuck key issue resolved. Check your state vehicle safety inspection laws before doing this fix. It involves modifying the ignition key lock. In doing so you may fail a safety inspection.
Brian - Excellent job presenting your solution. My father has been living with this ignition key problem in his 2007 Equinox for over a year and your solution is the only one we've implemented that prevents the key from getting stuck. As others indicate, this solution also removes the lock that secures the steering wheel and ignition shift when the key is out of the ignition, but I've got the same situation on my '58 and '65 cars and have never had a problem! Thanks for sharing your solenoid fix.
I am wondering, did you plug the solenoid back in after taking out the actuator arm? If not I"m wondering if that's breaking the circuit from the other solenoids causing your issue? I just checked and both the shifter and steering wheel lock w/out the key in the ignition.
I did this to my daughter's car tonight thank you again for such a great video the key being stuck in the ignition all the time was very aggravating it was almost time to sell thanks again for a great video
Thanks for this, been having this same problem with my 2007 Equinox since way back when it was only around a year old. Putting it in gear and back into park several times eventually gets it to release to where I can turn the switch all the way off (sometimes first time, sometimes a few dozen... Usually 4-6 times gets it.), but it's super annoying when it happens and I'm in a rush and have to spend a minute or two at it, while getting odd looks from people nearby. lol
Seems with us it always happened at the most inconvenient times.
By testing for power at the c226 connector attached to the shifter, you will find power on terminal 2 /purple/white wire, but no power on terminal 5 /purple 2hite wire. It is a stuck micro switch that is part of the shifter assembly. Replacing the shifter will correctly repair this problem.
Dude THANK YOU. I got so frustrated that I accidentally ripped my key out of the fob trying to turn it back and forth while pulling on it 😂
THANK................YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! Exactly what I was looking for!! Mine seems to work fine when it’s cold outside but won’t disengage for several minutes when it’s warm.
No problem! Glad to help.
I actually just came upon this on my 2009 equinox so there is actually a small micro switch under the shifter that activates the solenoid on the column. I inspected the switch switch was working fine on mine. The issue on my vehicle was actually simple the shaft that come thru the center that activates that switch was sticking so in turn it was not activating the solenoid. So all I did was sprayed silicone spray down the shifter to make the shaft move easily up and down the tube. You do have to remove the shifter knob to spray down the tube of the shifter. Your problem could be the micro switch is bad or the same issue I had just a little advice. I know it's been a while since you had this problem.
Appreciate the info. That wasn't the case with ours.
My 07 was the same way. Took the shifter apart, lubricated the rod on the shifter and problem fixed!
What is "silicon spray?" not WD40? Can you elaborate?
I just had the same problem with my 2011 Equinox, there is a small slot under the key, you can use a straight blade screw driver and push in the slot and release the key. I don't know if other years have the same thing but my 2011 does.
Found the same problem on my 08 Equinox. Found the micro switch in the shifter to be the problem. I ordered new micro switch part number DB1C-AL1B online for $2.50 + sh. I will have to unsolder and resolve the new switch in but I hope that fixes it cheaper than a new shifter assy. I will also lube the shaft in the middle of the shifter.
Can I ask where you found that switch online? I haven't been able to find it.
Awesome. I have a 2007 Equinox with the same problem. Very annoying. Expensive fix also. I've been looking for a solution for quite a while. THANK YOU,
startafyre dude learn how to get to the fucking point people are looking for answers not your life problems
UPDATE- For starters, this is a solenoid. Not a servo. The next thing is I discovered the door speaker did not work because the wiring harness protected by a rubber boot between the body of the car and the door has deteriorated. Found this out after the drivers door lock stopped working. There were several wires within the harness which were bare where insulation had rubbed off. I soldered the severed wires and taped the ones that were bare. I have yet to reinstall the actuator on the SOLENOID to see if it works. If anyone else is having this issue, check the wires within the rubber boot between the door and car body to see if any of them are damaged. Please report your results!
Just curious. Are you saying that the speaker wiring problem is part of the ignition lock solenoid problem? I can't see how they could be connected.
I don't either, but every time the door speaker stopped working the solenoid would engage/disengage fine. Once the speaker started working again then the problem would return. I am wondering if it's somehow part of the same circuitry upstream somewhere?
First off, thanks for clarifying on the solenoid/servo comment. I was super suspicious if that was correct. Second. I'm gonna check my wires because I've had speaker issues in the past. I also have a problem where intermittently i cannot get my key out of the ignition OR sometimes I cant turn the car on.
Thanks! 5 minute fix on our 07 equinox!
I follow your instructions and it worked perfectly thank you. ps it was 95 out and did it under an hour. If i can do it any buddy can.
I had the same problem,But I replaced the micro switch in the gear shift and no more problems.
By testing for power at the c226 connector attached to the shifter, you will find power on terminal 2 /purple/white wire, but no power on terminal 5 /purple 2hite wire. It is a stuck micro switch that is part of the shifter assembly. Replacing the shifter will correctly repair this problem.
People have spent all kinds of money having this done by a GM Certified mechanic or dealership to no avail. I still wonder if it has anything to do with the wiring harness in the door. The Equinox has a notorious issue with that harness becoming brittle, insulation rubbing off and/or wires breaking. There were three wires on mine that were broken and had to be repaired. Didn't find them until after this video was made. And it would seem for some reason the left speaker very well could be a part of this circuit.
You keep referring to the part as a "Servo" I think it is actually called a " Solenoid "
If you look closely at the bottom half of the column cover also known as the cowling
you will notice a small snap-in cover, remove the one inch square cover and simply
push in on the, typically silver colored, round bar extending from the solenoid when you want to remove the key.
If your battery dies and you insert your key and turn it to the ON position
You will not be able to remove your key until you recharge or replace the battery.
You are correct about it being a solenoid. Honestly as far as the access, I'd rather do this fix than have to push on the actuator to get the key out. I may or may not have found out why this is happening which seems to be a common problem with older Equinoxes. I'll explain in another comment field...
i appreciate your response here. Why don't people just replace the solenoid if that's the problem. I have an 07 with this same problem, that's i'm trying to determine the best possible fix for. I noticed that the level/servo/solenoid doesn't cooperate correctly at times, and i haven't figured out which it is. Is it the switch arm off the ignition tumbler? Or is it the electric solenoid that's failing?
Because mine was having a worse symptom of not starting... if this problem occurred. Key would be stuck. All electronics stopped working. No click, no start, no nothing.
Push solenoid button in, key would come out. But all systems were disabled for unknow reason, for unknown time, and then eventually it all just worked again.
Does anyone know the actual fix?
Is it simply just replacing this solenoid? Thanks
I have been having this happen, key sticking - and now I have no start. It doesn't engage the starter. I have power and every fuse is checked and still nothing. the gauges activate, I hear a little buzz noise and no starter engagement.
It's possible there is a problem solenoid in your gear shift tricking the system in making it seem like the car is in gear. You can try to rapidly shift from park to low a few times and try to start again if you haven't. It's also possible there is an issue with the key cylinder lock. May be worn out enough where voltage is not being sent to the starter solenoid. On that you can try and jiggle the key in the lock and try to start again. That's about all I have for this problem. Sorry.
I also encountered the no start, all electronics disabled, and i would really like someone to put up a REAL solution to this. Because gerry rigging is never the right answer. I'm curious if its the solenoid that needs replaced, or the cylinder tumbler ignition. Anyone know yet!?
How'd you take the rod out? There's no pin or anything to take out
Are you doing this on an Equinox? What year? I'm not sure if there's a difference. I took the solenoid off its mount and I believe the rod unscrewed or twisted off.
@@brian96597 yeah 09 equinox. I tried forcing it out lol so I didn't know it screwed out but I'll try it today when I get back to it. I ended up forcing the spring out for a temporary fix and it worked but now my alarm won't stop going off. I think it's cause the rod is still in but also pressed in without the spring.
There's a tiny little access door on the bottom plastic of steering column take it off stick finger in and push bottom to get key out
can you send a picture of what you mean? I have this problem also, and I am not sure about the fix in this video, but your fix sounds more like it would work for me. Thanks!
TheNCJewel th-cam.com/video/Ns4MbOukX8E/w-d-xo.html
Jared Bonefas omgthx!
I have a 2010 Equinox and my key is stuck. How do i find this?
I don't exactly feel safe rigging it like that. What if I just order a replacement part to install?
Problem is it's not necessarily the solenoid that is at fault. We had the car at a GM mechanic and they couldn't figure it out without tearing into it and it costing money we weren't willing to spend. I've read others who went to the dealer for this issue and being charged for a new park/neutral shifter sensor, it working for maybe a day and then doing the same thing.
In an emergency say you're stuck in the parking lot and your key won't come out on the bottom did you see that little like access panel just use a screwdriver to take it off that little square you can stick your finger in and reach that servo to push it back and get your key out so that way you're not tearing apart your column in the parking lot
Why don't people just replace the solenoid if that's the problem? Or is it the ignition tumbler? I have an 07 with this same problem, but i have also seen a no start condition associated. So a gerry rigged half ass fix doesn't seem like the best option. that's i'm trying to determine the best possible fix for. I noticed that the level/servo/solenoid doesn't cooperate correctly at times, and i haven't figured out which it is. Is it the switch arm off the ignition tumbler? Or is it the electric solenoid that's failing?
Because mine was having a worse symptom of not starting... if this problem occurred. Key would be stuck. All electronics stopped working. No click, no start, no nothing.
Push solenoid button in, key would come out. But all systems were disabled for unknow reason, for unknown time, and then eventually it all just worked again.
Does anyone know the actual fix?
Is it simply just replacing this solenoid? Thanks
After reading all comments, it seems the most succinct fix is replacing the gear shifter assembly or the solenoid within. Does that gel with most of you? As an actual all encompassing professional fix?
It has been done before. Solenoids have been replaced as well as new gear shifters. Some report it works "for awhile" and other say it made no difference. As I've said before the wiring harness between the chassis and drivers door had some damaged wires. I am wondering if that may be a/the culprit. When the door speaker would work the solenoid would get cranky. When the speaker quit working the solenoid worked perfectly. Sold the car before I tested that theory out.
Thanks man for the info!! I’ll try it!!
I found a few other posts that talk about GM supposed being able to fix the problem - but its not part of a recall which means its on your dime. Seems a small microswitch in the transmission has failed which does not send the signal to the ignition solenoid to release the key. Dunno what the repair costs are but the switch is probably a $2 part. Labor might be $$$$$$$$.
so this might be the actual problem after all. and nothing to do with the actual ignition at all... that makes sense, with these crappy internal sensors in modern cars. I have seen this before with Nissan trans.
My key is stuck in the on position and the gear shift is stuck. So I have a different problem, right?
I believe so. There is a solenoid within the gear shift to keep it from shifting into reverse or park when the key is in the "on" position. It's possible the solenoid in the gear shift is stuck, preventing the ignition from being turned off and the solenoid in this video is preventing the ignition from being turned to the off position.
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING MAKE SURE NOTHING BLOCKING CAR FROM FULLY BEING IN PARK POSITION I HAD A COIN ON GEAR SHIT BLOCKING IT FROM BEING IN PARK FULLY ONCE I MOVED COIN THE SHIFT WENT UP FULLY NOW MY KEYS RELEASED
Any knowledge of 06 its the only model thats build is entirely different
Thanks this just happens to my 08 equinox I will try this.
I have the 2013 and my key is stuck in my car at this moment. I will never purchase another and will tell everybody I know about this garbage.
that is also a safety requirement . so any small child can also put in in gear without having to put foot on brake pedal . just be safe out there . just saying
No. That uses a different solenoid. When working properly this solenoid locks the key into the ignition unless the shifter is in neutral or park.
Honestly you should add the word FIX and SOLUTION to your video title. I’m sure you’ll get more hits if you do
GM has a special coverage adjustment for inability to remove ignition key. I'm taking my '08 Cobalt LS to the dealer on Tues to have that very same part replaced. It's a $30+ part they will cover. Call your dealer, explain the issue and they treat it as an emergency repair. gm.oemdtc.com/972/14632c-special-coverage-adjustment-unable-to-remove-ignition-key-2003-2011-chevrolet-pontiac-saturn/3
I don't see Equinox on that list.
Mi equinox se atora la llave en el swich
siga esta guía y debería estar bien.
My problem is my key is stuck in the ignition and my whole car is dead i woke up to it.
It's been a few years, but I want to say since the ignition does not go into the off position the car's accessories will remain powered, which can cause a draw on the battery. I do believe I also experienced this issue when we still had ours.
Hah
Jesus Christ, get to the point…
Did you get the info you needed?
@@brian96597 I did not. Not your fault, but the bottom of my steering column doesn’t look like any of the ones I’ve seen in any of the videos. I figured it out, as there was just a slot near the ignition.
@@kidcrossfire3489 Is it an Equinox? The first video I saw of this the video illustrated it in the location you describe. It was a good video. Probably not as wordy as mine, but I figured I'd do one for this other location.