Key won't turn at all. Key is NOT stuck in ignition, it just won't turn the cylinder. I have two keys, the key is not the issue. Tried a graphite lube with no luck. A year ago when this happened the first time, I took things apart to see what was going on. I just kept wiggling things until the lock cylinder popped out a few millimeters from the steering column, and suddenly everything worked fine again. It's as if the lock cylinder was somehow pushed too far into the steering column. Fast forward a year to today, and it looks like the lock cylinder is again pushed in too far. I've tried everything to get it to pop out again, with no luck. I can't even remove the lock cylinder from the column since the key has to be rotated to release it through the hole on top. Anyone have any ideas? I thought maybe I could jerry rig some sort of push button start. So I popped the gear unit out from below the lock cylinder. I can rotate the gear and the Hummer will start, but it immediately shuts back off. Is this not working because the anti-theft knows that the key isn't turned?

 

have you check the ignition lock solenoid maybe it is stuck.

 

Is that the white thing on the backside of the cylinder? I couldn't figure out what it was for. It has a gold metal piece on the bottom and a metal punch comes out of the top. If that's the lock solenoid, it is definitely actuating.

 

yes that sounds like the one. it is good that it is actuating but is it freeing the cylinder to allow it to turn?

 

No idea how to test that further. My next thought is to drown everything in WD40 and see what happens. I'm still researching push button conversions in order to bypass all of this.

 

Make sure the gear shifter is all the way into park.

TH

 

poney up and replace it. Also does your gear selector on the dash say its in park?

 

PASSLOCK bypass
a bit different method but same outcome

 

Yes, it's in park. I would replace the lock cylinder if I could get it out. As far as I know, it has to be rotated to the run position in order to eject it.

 

I'm going to look into this passlock bypass. Thanks.