Gearshift/key won't release

[Howard w]

My 2012 Sonic has recently developed the following problem. After putting the car in park and shutting off the engine, the key will not turn all the way off and out of the access mode. So in addition to not being able to remove the key, the dash lights stay on. At first, after a few minutes I would hear a clicking sound from the gearshift and would then be able to turn the key all the way off and remove it. Now, a few days later, it takes anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours for the key to be released. I have an appt at the dealership in a few days. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem.

 

[Breezybro]

Did you rotate the wheel at all

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

My 2012 Sonic has recently developed the following problem. After putting the car in park and shutting off the engine, the key will not turn all the way off and out of the access mode. So in addition to not being able to remove the key, the dash lights stay on. At first, after a few minutes I would hear a clicking sound from the gearshift and would then be able to turn the key all the way off and remove it. Now, a few days later, it takes anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours for the key to be released. I have an appt at the dealership in a few days. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem.

Hi Howard,

If you need any additional assistance or need the dealership's attention with this, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via private message. Be sure to include your VIN, current mileage, contact information and a preferred dealership. Always happy to help .

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Howard w]

Yes, I tried that. No luck. It won't go into park at all now, so to turn it off, I have to put it in neutral and use the parking brake. I'll probably leave it parked until my appt with the dealer.

 

[wbjones]

some will disagree with me … but …. especially with an automatic, you should always pull on the parking brake BEFORE putting the transmission in park … eventually the E brake pawl will become buggered up (that's a technical term) to the point that if you're parked on a hill and you DON'T use the parking brake, you won't be able to get the gear shift out of park … the car will have rolled against the pawl and by "locked" in park … the only way out will be to get some help and push the car which ever way relieves the pressure on the transmission …

I speak from experience LOL … try getting your drunk friends to help you push a 5000 lb 25 yr old Jag sedan on a VERY steep hill …LOL

 

[Howard w]

The dealership ended up replacing the gearshift in my 2012 Sonic. They said it was "full of debris". Last year I had trouble shifting and when I took it in to the dealer they said it was "full of debris" then too. They just cleaned it out that time. I'm not a messy person and keep my car very clean. Where is all this debris coming from? It seems to be very attracted to my gearshift LOL!

 

[Natesriv]

I'd sure ask the mechanic who diagnosed it what "debris" is!!!