19th Apr 2004, 15:05

Hello Steven:

My GP is going through similar problems. Where is the neutral safety switch located? I was going to try it on my car, but don't know the location.

Mike.

29th Apr 2004, 19:19

Mike:

The neutral safety switch is the little knob to the right of the gear shift assembly... just pull the cap off of the switch and put a screw driver down the hole... then you'll be able to bring the car out of park!

Andrew.

17th Mar 2005, 20:06

Hi, I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with 56,000 miles and I am also having a problem getting my key out of the ignition and the car out of Park. Dealer replaced "switch interlock" ($390) but it did not fix the problem. Cars handbook says that Battery could be the problem. I was having a problem with the battery and I replaced it, but it also did not fix the problem. After about 15 minutes of trying to get my car out of park by starting and restarting my car. I stuck a pen into the "shift lock release" and then I was able to drive home.

Not sure what else to do. Dealer could not get the car to act up.

23rd Apr 2005, 13:31

I also have a 2000 grand prix GT, it only has 44,000 miles on it and I also cannot get it out of park. Every morning I have to sit there a while to try to get it to go, I also stuck a pen in the shift release button and was able to take off. Then when I get home I have to sit there a while again to try to get the key out ot the ignition. It surely is driving me crazy!

25th Jul 2005, 07:28

We had multiple problems trying to get the vehicle out of park as well. THE FIX - I believe there are three separate solenoids that must function to allow the shifting to take place. After a few tries, once we replaced (JUST THE SOLENOID) in the shifter all was back to normal. I believe the solenoid failure in the shifter was caused by a bad habit of simply tapping the shifter while cruising down the road.

Good luck.

24th Aug 2005, 17:00

I haven't yet had a problem getting out of park, but have had the problem of the key sticking in the ignition. Good to know that it is not worth having it "fixed" to the tune of $400. Thanks!

P.S. My brakes are making a terrible grinding noise. Anyone else with this problem? I am taking it in tomorrow.

5th Sep 2005, 08:53

I have a 2000 Grand Prix GT and I have the same problem of not being able to remove the key and of course it won't do it for the mechanic. They told me to use a pen or screwdriver in the steering column to remove it. The heater fan/motor had to be replaced and the thermostat. The transmission hesitates when going up a hill. Brakes don't last long. A great looking car, but I probably wouldn't own another one unless the problems are corrected.

21st Nov 2005, 23:27

Taking the key out of the ignition switch: I had this problem many years ago in my '92 Olds Achieva I owned from 1993 to 2004. Turning the steering wheel a little bit helped as the steering column probably has a mechanism to keep the key in place. I don't know if the GP's steering wheel locks outright when turning off the engine, but if it can be turned left-right slightly, try this trick and see if you can get the key out. Hope this helps.

4th Nov 2006, 16:41

Hey guys, I've got a 97 GT. The issue with the key stuck in the ignition isn't really worth paying someone to fix. If you look at the steering column right under the key area you will see a small plastic cap. Remove that cap and just leave it out, behind it is a button placed there just for this problem, press it in and your key comes right out. I never bothered trying to fix this since it's no big deal to press the button. Good luck guys, hope you enjoy your Grand Prix's as much as I have.

14th Feb 2007, 04:12

I ran across this problem tonight, and found the above comment very helpful. When I removed the plastic cover, it has a round pole on it that I was able to stick a straw on (the only thing really handy), cut it down to size and shove it back into the hole. Once I get a little time to tinker, I'll find something a little more substantial to put on the pole so I won't have to worry about this problem again. But at least this gets me working again!

I really do love my Grand Prix, and just put on some Goodyear TripleTred Tech P225/60R16 - 97H, VSB last week. Those tires just ROCK in rain, snow and ice! I can only imagine how they will feel once summer hits! I'll take a little more road noise, knowing that my wife is safe driving the car in any weather condition. I slammed on my breaks (about 80%) and couldn't hardly get the ABS to engage, and came to a very quick stop on packed snow covering ice. Then I punched it about 80% throttle (I have a GTP), and the traction control hardly engaged for very smooth and quick acceleration!

1st Mar 2007, 14:07

I also had a problem with my Grand Prix and the Key getting stuck in the engine.

After reading this site I found that the straw trick really does work! THANK YOU!! This saved me over $400.

I took off the plastic cap from under the steering wheel and inserted a regular straw. After I found this to work, I cut the straw down to size and put the cap back on. It works very well.

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with 163,000 miles on it. The car is great and occasionally I have a few common problems with it. But, that is expected with this many miles.

1st May 2007, 18:00

I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. For the past 5 months, my key has been sticking. Not each time I place the car in park, but A lot of the time. I was getting so frustrated with it. I found this website after googling, and wanted to say THANK YOU to those who have given others advise. I went outside (key stuck again) and tried it.. and it worked! My car is still under warranty until this July, so I will be taking it in. In the mean time, your "tricks" have been most helpful. Thanks so much!

16th Sep 2007, 19:27

Hello all.

My wife has a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix and sometimes the ignition key will not come out. The car will not start, in fact there is no power at all. This car does not appear to have a release button under the steering column, unless I did not look well enough.

Also, this happened once while she was driving. Lost all power, had to glide into a parking lot and the ignition key would not come out.

We've found out that it is probably one of the selenoids or wires in between. The Ignition fuse gets tripped, so she carries a few in her car and just replaces the fuse and away she goes. But the fact that it happened while she was driving really scares me.

Love the car, drives real nice.

Thanks for any input.

Bill.