Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

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ColoCapriceGuy
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 9:13 pm

Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by ColoCapriceGuy »

Recently I had an issue where I could not remove my key from the ignition from my car even though the car was in park. I did some searching and found two YouTube videos which vastly over complicated the issue, so I will post this here for all future people who have this issue.

The problem: a metal rod touches a metal plate in park which grounds a circuit which allows you to remove your key. Over time the rod sinks into the shifter, which eventually causes the plate to fall and not longer touch the rod.

There should be a recall on this, but if there’s not and you didn’t find this guide you’d be looking at a new shifter which is $150 plus you’re own install, and if you can’t install the dealer will be $700+. Ridiculous.

So here’s the fix:

Needle nose pliers, grab some.

On the left of your shifter is a metal rod. Circular. You’ll have to pop off your driver side console trim to get to it.

Move the metal stick over the metal rod.

With the needle nose, pull the rod out so it will touch the metal so it will complete the circuit and release the key.

Can be done in 5 minutes. Here’s a photo guide illustrating what I am talking about.
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Mooseman
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Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by Mooseman »

Good info. I'm pretty sure the 9C1 shifter is similar. I had to cobble together two shifters for my G8 console swap and that was one of the issues I had.
2011 Caprice PPV, former RCMP test vehicle, never put into service
Build Thread: http://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2419
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elc32955
System Manager
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Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by elc32955 »

This is somewhat of a recurring common issue, so I stickied this post at the top of the sub-forum so it'll be easy to find. Thanks for the detailed write-up and pictures!

Thanks
Eric
System Manager and your tour guide for the day. 2015 Caprice w/LFX, former NC DPS staff car. Partial hybrid G8/SS/Camaro SS interior mods, SS MyLink radio upgrade, 2016 Camaro V6 rims, GMPP Malibu chrome exhaust tips, otherwise bone stock for now.
s/c'd cav
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Location: PHOENIX AZ

Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by s/c'd cav »

RECALL ? HHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAA

just a FYI , that rod is not completing a circuit , its pushing on a micro switch
ColoCapriceGuy
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 9:13 pm

Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by ColoCapriceGuy »

This also applies to the PPV shifter as it is built the same way.
darrenG8
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2023 1:38 pm

Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by darrenG8 »

Hey everyone,

any luck with a permanent solution to this? I am removing the shifter cover every 2-3 weeks and having to pull the Pin out ? Hoping i dont have to buy a new Shifter unit
Sanford
Posts: 356
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:38 pm
Location: Texas Gulf Coast

Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by Sanford »

I have repaired a couple of G8/9C3 shifters by machining a small piece of Delrin rod and making a new section of the white rod that the roll pin slips through. The ones I repaired were broken where the roll pin pushes through. There is not a lot of plastic where the pin is located. I can see where some abuse could break it in that spot. I have pictures of the repair, but I have no way to get them on the forum. I don’t store pictures anywhere but my phone and laptop.
s/c'd cav
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Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by s/c'd cav »

Sanford wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2023 6:32 pm I have repaired a couple of G8/9C3 shifters by machining a small piece of Delrin rod and making a new section of the white rod that the roll pin slips through. The ones I repaired were broken where the roll pin pushes through. There is not a lot of plastic where the pin is located. I can see where some abuse could break it in that spot. I have pictures of the repair, but I have no way to get them on the forum. I don’t store pictures anywhere but my phone and laptop.
you can upload the picture to the site , via the ATTACHMENTS buttons , and it will upload the picture to the server here and that way the pictures stays on the post
Sanford
Posts: 356
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:38 pm
Location: Texas Gulf Coast

Re: Pontiac G8 / 9C3 Key Stuck in the ignition

Post by Sanford »

9C3 shifter repair
9C3 shifter repair
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9C3 shifter repair
9C3 shifter repair
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9C3 shifter repair
9C3 shifter repair
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Here are some pictures of the repair I made on some 9C3/G8 shifters that I acquired. Pretty easy fix if you have a lathe, some numbered drill bits and a dial caliper. All of the shifters were broken where the roll pin goes through.
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