# Can't turn ignition off. key stuck to on position

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [April 20, 2015, 5:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714 "2015-04-20T05:25:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tyler2xx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tyler2xx](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tyler2xx)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 5:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714/1 "2015-04-20T05:25:42Z")

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It’s a 2001 Chevy cavalier. The key is stuck and won’t turn the car off. Already have tried shaking the wheel and wd-40. The wipers won’t work and the gauges won’t turn on until I jiggle the key.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 5:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714/2 "2015-04-20T05:28:34Z")

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Sounds like it’s the park interlock switch.

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**Author:** ![SteveC76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SteveC76](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveC76)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 5:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714/3 "2015-04-20T05:30:55Z")

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Remove the fuel pump fuse or ecm fuse to shut the engine off then disconnect the battery. It sounds as if your ignition switch has failed.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714/4 "2015-04-20T07:33:58Z")

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For future reference, graphite is preferred over WD-40 for lock cylinders. WD-40 and the dust it attracts can gum up over time.

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 9:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-turn-ignition-off-key-stuck-to-on-position/89714/5 "2015-04-20T09:15:33Z")

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Sounds like a job for big pliers too.