Key stuck in ignition

[H2-T2]

A friend just called me with this problem:
Battery in his H2 went dead...recharged battery, now key is stuck in ignition because it will not return to the "off" position. Also, will not start. Any ideas? Thanks, Gary (H2-T2)

[H2-T2]

A friend just called me with this problem:
Battery in his H2 went dead...recharged battery, now key is stuck in ignition because it will not return to the "off" position. Also, will not start. Any ideas? Thanks, Gary (H2-T2)

[Adam in CO]

Gary, I had a problem like this as a result of some blown mega fuses. I think it's a theft deterrent issue and he will need a new battery, or at least a jump.

Adam P. Smith
Mortgage Pros, Inc.
303-407-2405 p
303-407-2414 f
aps101374@yahoo.com

[H2-T2]

Thanks Adam...I am sure that the battery is fully charged. Any idea what fuses were blown in your vehicle? I would hate to see it flat bedded all the way back to the dealer on Monday.
Gary (H2-T2)

[Hummer Man]

DO THESE IN ORDER TO UN STICK KEY!!!

CHECK THE BRAKE FUSE

CHARGE THE BATTERY

PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON

ROTATE THE KEY TO ACCESSORY POSISTION

CLOSE THE DOOR

ROTATE KEY TO IGNITION POSOTION

DEPRESS FOOT BRAKE

RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKE

START VEHICLE

[Kevin B]

H2-T2, Please let me know if HM's fix worked, or if you got it out another way. Oh, do tellhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[H2-T2]

Hummer Man!!!! you are the H2-GURU.. We followed your instructions, and, low and behold, truck started...key came out...saved a flat-bed trip to dealer. I recommend everyone print Hummer Man's magic formula, in case your key gets stuck...Thank you, Thank you...Gary (H2-T2)

[Kevin B]

Props to H.M. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Good job.

[Anthony33]

Hi Hummerman

I followed those steps and NO luck http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Im sure Im doing something wrong.

All is good, my battery life seems strong. My 2003 H2 has 29k on it, and today I got in, drove two blocks. It was about 18 degrees here in Chicago. When I arrived to my destination, I tried to pull the key out it was stuck. I called onstar, and they connected me to a Hummer service rep and she had no idea about my problem nor ever heard of this. After reading the board. I see I'm NOT the ONLY one that experianced this.

I am able to start the H2, turn it off, but the dash lights stay on. I disconnected the battery for the moment.

Anyone with advice please help. I will call around later today between business hours and see if anyone at the hummer dealerships can help.

thank you http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Anthony

[Fever]

I took mine in today for the same problem. They replaced the ignition swicth and repaired a loose connection somewhere around the shifter.

[HUMTECH]

Remove center console cupholders and check wiring at 4 wire connector on switch, may have one or more broken wires there if so repair and extend harness to allow more travel when shifting gears.

[Anthony33]

Took it in and same sitution as Fever. All is better now http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Ray West]

Key stuck in the 2003 H2 yesterday. Would turn to ACC or IGN and start but would not go past ACC to remove. Tried procedures on this list to no solution. Saw one post on the wiring under the cup holder and went after it. 6-wire connector on the side of the shifter under the cup holder had one broken wire (the yellow one). Took apart and soldered and problem is fixed. Thanks to the group for the lead. GMC wanted to replace the key switch for $350 and that wasn't even the problem...

[VTSTOMPER]

Welcome to the forum Ray! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Glad the forum helped out! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Hummer Guy]

I was never a fan of the key locking itself in if you have a dead battery. What if you had a dead battery in a parking lot and needed to leave and didn't have a spare key handy? Anyone who had jump cables now has a free hummer...

[ARH1956]

There is an easy way to temporarily solve this problem if faced with it without any tools. Grab the plastic cover on the bottom of the steering column under the the key & yank it down from the rear,(side closest to front of H2). When it is removed you'll see a plunger, (metal cylinder about 3/8" in dia.) under the key cylinder. Push the plunger upward & pull the key out. This can be done until you are able to repair the broken wire on the shifter interface.

[Hummer Guy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ARH1956:
There is an easy way to temporarily solve this problem if faced with it without any tools. Grab the plastic cover on the bottom of the steering column under the the key & yank it down from the rear,(side closest to front of H2). When it is removed you'll see a plunger, (metal cylinder about 3/8" in dia.) under the key cylinder. Push the plunger upward & pull the key out. This can be done until you are able to repair the broken wire on the shifter interface. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cool -- thanks for the tip!

[xonxoff]

I'm on my second switch. I had a problem where my transmission would not shift. they said it was a problem with one of the power leads on the switch. Now i have a problem where the radio won't shut off all the time when I take out the key. I think they might have some bad switches out there. I am taking it in next week for another one

[ryanh2]

What is the proper procedure for removing the cupholder to gain access to the wires? Thanks

[Kellen]

I know a guy who played hockey without a cup. Not good.

[PARAGON]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ryanh2:
What is the proper procedure for removing the cupholder to gain access to the wires? Thanks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Pull... Oh wait. Take a small allen wrench and remove the shifter handle and then PULL. The cupholder panel is just held in place by clips.

[Hummertech]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by xonxoff:
I'm on my second switch. I had a problem where my transmission would not shift. they said it was a problem with one of the power leads on the switch. Now i have a problem where the radio won't shut off all the time when I take out the key. I think they might have some bad switches out there. I am taking it in next week for another one </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would say they didn't time your ignition switch right.
To see if you have a broken wire by the shifter take the torx screw out of the front of shifter handle and lift up. then with a small flat blade screwdriver, just pop the shifter plate up. Then look at the connector for the shifter, the wires usually break right by the connector. Although your problem has a 30 to 1 chance of being a battery or ignition switch problem first.