|
|
2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
|
|
| |
|
|
teresaziegler
New User
Dec 3, 2012, 8:28 AM
Post #1 of 8
(10971 views)
|
|
2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
2006 Chevy Monte Carlo, unsure of engine size, about 68,000miles.
Put key in ignition turned and wouldn't start. Car does not even crank or make any noise when trying to start it. I tried to turn key off and it won't return to off position. Checked to see if car in Park. Yes in Park. Turned steering wheel from side to side to release key. Key still won't return to off position. Pressed down on brake & tried to take car out of Park in an attempt to return to Park to see if this would release key. Button on gear shift won't even press down. Then I realized that there was no power to anything in the car. No lights, door locks won't work, trunk release won't work, no dash lights, nothing. I don't know if this is b/c the key is half way in the ignition or it this was the problem to begin with. My husband washed and waxed my car yesterday afternoon and then put my car into the garage. I've not been able to reach him at work to ask him any questions on what he did that might have precluded this issue.
Any suggestions on where to start to troubleshoot.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2012, 8:34 AM
Post #2 of 8
(10965 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
Totally wild - do you know for sure you are using the correct key?
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2012, 9:07 AM
Post #3 of 8
(10954 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
Make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. If they are good, have the battery tested. If the battery is dead, you won't be able to get the key out of the ignition because the park lock solenoid doesn't have any power.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 3, 2012, 9:08 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2012, 10:17 AM
Post #4 of 8
(10941 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
Good point DS - missed that it had no power to anything
T
|
|
| |
|
|
teresaziegler
New User
Dec 3, 2012, 11:24 AM
Post #5 of 8
(10922 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
Yes, using the right key.
I will check the battery cables and make sure clean and secure. Will then try starting car and/or getting the key out.
If this doesn't work, should we test battery to see if it is good? Or put battery on charger first.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2012, 12:13 PM
Post #6 of 8
(10912 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
OK - Seems battery is totally dead or a total failure of a connection if so right at battery. Just a maybe (here I go again) that your kind husband who washed and waxed it left a light on.
If you are OK with charging it up with a charger I would. Especially if you have one that will indicate it is done or warns of a dreaded reverse polarity hooking it up.
I couldn't possibly know every trick all the assorted cars can do but many when battery is unhooked or dead that much you could have an assortment of things to reset. Alarm if equipped might go nuts on you. Not sure which ones by model year but it could have lost some or all adaptive memory and not run perfectly for a while till it "re-learns" how to cover ongoing engine operation like holding the correct idle speed. Takes several cycles on those to figure themselves out.
If just dead battery let the charger do all the work not just long enough to start the car so alternator doesn't work too hard and hope that's all it is,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
teresaziegler
New User
Dec 5, 2012, 7:52 AM
Post #7 of 8
(10878 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
 My husband turned my headlights to the on position when he pulled my car into the garage (which by the way, since the day I bought the car 6 years ago, have always been on "automatic" so they come on and turn off automatically). He thought they would turn off automatically, shut the car off and went in the house.
Battery dead. He charged the battery. Took a really long time. All charged up now. Key came out. Had to reset everything. But, that's better than having to buy a new battery and install it.
You were right on. Thank you for all your assistance.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 5, 2012, 11:04 AM
Post #8 of 8
(10866 views)
|
|
Re: 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo won't start - key stuck in ignition
|
Sign In
|
|
Just one more thing to watch out for and could be checked soon. The common automotive battery does sustain damage from running dead. How much damage is really unknown to me or anyone so it should be checked for its ability now. That is load tested when fully charged as to where it is right now.
I've seen them be destroyed and some show no problems of any consequence. Checking now could save a surprise later,
T
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2011 Dodge Nitro OBD scanner seems to drain battery in 10-20 minutes
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
Howdy
