Unable To Remove Ignition Key

[djetton]

Having a problem with my 2012 Sonic LTZ. When the car is placed in park and the ignition is turned off, the key will not come out. It usually releases after 20-30 minutes. A couple of times I've had to leave the key in the ignition and come out to a dead battery. Took it into the dealer this morning and waiting to hear from them. I know this was a problem in GM small cars thru 2011. I'm hoping that whatever is wrong will be covered by GM since my warranty is expired. Just heard from the dealer. The transmission is not sending the signal to the ignition to release the key. Transmission will need to be replaced at a cost of $436 and is not covered by any warranty or recall. Not happy to hear this.

 

[Hectic]

Having a problem with my 2012 Sonic LTZ. When the car is placed in park and the ignition is turned off, the key will not come out. It usually releases after 20-30 minutes. A couple of times I've had to leave the key in the ignition and come out to a dead battery. Took it into the dealer this morning and waiting to hear from them. I know this was a problem in GM small cars thru 2011. I'm hoping that whatever is wrong will be covered by GM since my warranty is expired. Just heard from the dealer. The transmission is not sending the signal to the ignition to release the key. Transmission will need to be replaced at a cost of $436 and is not covered by any warranty or recall. Not happy to hear this.

That seems cheap for a transmission, unless it was the transmission control unit. Which includes the TCM.

 

[Flyer]

Ya ... Transmissions are more than that. Labor alone is more for the trans.

That may be for the ecm. The TCM is inside the ecm.

It may be the shifter too. That or the ignition switch would be my guesses. If it's a matter of the lock cylinder won't release the key, then lock cylinder. If it's a matter of the lock cylinder can't be turned backwards enough to get to the release point then the shifter.

Assuming this is an auto car.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

Ya ... Transmissions are more than that. Labor alone is more for the trans.

That may be for the ecm. The TCM is inside the ecm.

It may be the shifter too. That or the ignition switch would be my guesses. If it's a matter of the lock cylinder won't release the key, then lock cylinder. If it's a matter of the lock cylinder can't be turned backwards enough to get to the release point then the shifter.

Assuming this is an auto car.

TCM is not inside the ECM, they're separate modules. The TCM is inside the transmission on auto cars, manuals dont have a TCM.

Sounds like ignition cylinder, GM has had a few issues with them on different platforms but this is the first I've heard on our Sonics.

 

[djetton]

Update

The car is an automatic. I contacted Chevrolet Customer Service yesterday and they will be contacting the dealer to determine exactly what was repaired and will get back to me tomorrow regarding whether they can offer any assistance with the repair. The dealer called me today to say that repairs have been completed. Parts in the shifter that tell the ignition switch that the car has been shifted to park had failed and had to be replaced. The repair was mechanical rather than electrical. I checked the NHTSA web site and found quite a few reports of 2012 Sonics with failure to release key problems that had been reported. I went ahead and filed a report. I'm hoping that Chevrolet will offer some assistance with the repair cost.

 

[Flyer]

TCM is not inside the ECM, they're separate modules. The TCM is inside the transmission on auto cars, manuals dont have a TCM.

Sounds like ignition cylinder, GM has had a few issues with them on different platforms but this is the first I've heard on our Sonics.

Ya. The TCM is is combined with the control solenoid valves and labeled 'Control Solenoid Valve and Trans Control Module'.

However, my assumption was the ECM or TCM is what handled telling the ignition cylinder solenoid to unlock so the key will turn all the way back and release. I was still mistaken after looking it up. That instruction is handled by the BCM.

The really frustrating part is, it's probably a $5 switch inside the shifter that could be replaced for only a little more labor that would fix the problem resulting in the higher priced entire shifter having to be replaced.

 

[wingnut]

I had a problem where I couldn't get the key into the ignition. turned out to be a bad ignition switch at the steering column. Fortunately it was still under warranty at the time and replaced for free. Mine however was a 6 sp man.

 

[djetton]

Resolution

The control assembly was replaced. The final cost was $494. Chevrolet Customer Service contacted the dealer yesterday and this morning the dealer service advisor called me and asked what sort of assistance I wanted. I told him I'd like Chevrolet to cover 50% of the cost. He agreed so my final cost was $247. I later received a call from Chevrolet Customer Service asking if the matter had been resolved to my satisfaction. I guess it sometimes pays to lodge a complaint. Maybe I should have asked them to cover the total cost but some discount is better than nothing.