No power this morning, can't remove key...

[Onslow]

Weirdest thing try to leave the house today. The Sonic (2012 LT) was dead as a doornail with no power going to dash in the slightest. To top that the key will not fully turn to the position required for removal.

All has been well leading up to this so not sure what it would be. The only thing I can think of is about a week ago I noticed the radio (which has recently lost its "click" in the push-on button) is TOO easy to turn off or on. Also it appears that the radio works with the door open after turning the ignition off. I made sure it was off last night so don't think it ran the power down.

Any advise appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Pirate Luke]

It doesn't sound like the same thing, but I know on automatics the shifter button you press to select gears can break inside. It's just plastic after all. If this occurs the button doesn't fully release and the key won't turn to a position to remove it. Try finagling with that a bit to be sure, but it sounds like a different issue. Is your battery dead?

 

[Onslow]

Yes. The shifter is fully in park. I'll see if a jump helps. Gotta wait til my other care returns home : )

 

[ScarabEpic22]

Every GM I've owned keeps the key in the ignition if the battery is dead. Either jump it or get to the shift lock override (not sure if or where the Sonic's is). Happens occasionally to me with my TrailBlazer, I just jump it or stick it on the charger for a few and then you can turn the key back.

 

[Onslow]

Thanks all. Was able to jump it this evening.

Trunk (where the jumper cables were) was inaccessible due to no power - thought about it and remembered I could get in through the back seat fold-down.

Working now to get into the fuse box to remove the radio fuse (based on other posts I read on this forum : ) . Don't need this happening again!

 

[Onslow]

Well crud.

While getting at the "audio" fuse (with the driver door open) the battery went dead again. I ran the engine for about 10 min and did a quick turn off /restart of the car before all that. Will continue to investigate. Maybe I didn't run the engine with enough time to recharge the battery.

 

[Maddmatts]

Sometimes the key will get stuck if the steering column is being pushed against the locking pin. Turn the steering wheel a little one way or the other and see if it'll let go of the key.

 

[Onslow]

A quick follow-up: Removed the "audio" fuse last night. Jumped the car again. Been driving it around okay, but the Advance battery tester I visited said "Battery Bad" (or something like that).

Started it up this morning okay (which is something that didn't work out the prior morning when the audio fuse was still in). Took it on a trip to the next county and no problems with restarting. So far so good!

I will take it to the Interstate battery dealer (Advance wanted $150 for replacement) to get a second opinion on bad battery diagnosis. If I'm going to spend $$$ I need something decent unless you all know of a better brand for the money?

Probably need to get the $45 radio Crutchfield has (supposedly better than the factory one except no CD - but does come with USB stick input!). I think the wonky radio is also the culprit - for now.

Thanks again all!

 

[gnonne]

Sam's Club has batteries for about $100. Its a newer/odd size, so I don't think you will find one cheaper. We have three Sonics, all 2012/2013, we live in MI, and I've not replaced any battery yet.

 

[gannato08]

This was a huge relief to me to find out that keys can get stuck like this if the car battery is dead. I am getting my car jumped later and hoping it will release it then. Thanks for that bit of info!

 

[gannato08]

This thread helped me a lot.

 

[gannato08]

VERY happy to report that the minute my new battery was put in my car kicked right over AND my keys came out as they should the first try!! This info was good to know!!

 

[Tormach]

VERY happy to report that the minute my new battery was put in my car kicked right over AND my keys came out as they should the first try!! This info was good to know!!

Awesomeness, glad it was a simple fix!!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[kaceyellis]

how to release your key on a dead car

Just for future reference - this happened to me (several times!!) turns out it was the radio on/off/volume button not turning radio off when I turned the car off. My key was stuck in the ignition and after research discovered that there is a little hole (youll need a flashlight or the flashlight on your cell phone to see it) on the steering column right at the key entry - you push a flathead screwdriver in the hole and it will release the key - even on a dead car.

 

[bravosierra2010]

Thanks for this thread. This happen to my Sonic today. The battery is 7 years old, so I guess it's time for a new one.