ok I have a 2007 LT auto, and I started having this issue were the key will not come out even thoe its in park. I have to kind of play with it and pull it back a forth from park to R to get it to release the key, so I called the dealership and they said that they do have this problem often with the cobalt, I'm not sure exactly what it was he said was worng, but I would have to replace the hole shifter, which runs about $125.00. parts and about $250 with labor.

So I just wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem before and how did you go about getting it fixed, do I really need to buy a new shifter or can I repair this one?\

 

its the steering column, i had mine replaced. apparently its pretty common.


u dont have a warranty anymore?

 

I had this same problem they replace the shifter thats the only real way to fix it.
x2 on the warranty you should be coverd mines an 06 and its coverd

 

at least mine was the steering column. might be the shifter since u said when u fiddle with it the key comes unstuck. but in my case it wasnt the shifter

 

There is a horizontal pin in the shifter assembly that presses a micro switch in park. The micro switch activates the solenoid in the column that releases the key. The PLASTIC (haha right?) that holds the pin broke, so now it won't release the key.

The whole shifter needs to be replaced and it can be done under warranty.

For now, look underneath the steering column. You'll see a little compartment cover (1.5 in by 1.5 in) that can be opened. Pull it off and stick a finger or two in there. You should be able to press the solenoid on the left side of the column. It's plastic and feels like a little button. Push it to the right and it should release the key.

If you have trouble get a light and lay on the floor and look inside to locate it.

 

**** so I have to get the hole thing replaced is that something I can do myself or do I need to leave that to the dealer?

 

Wanna pay ~$125 for a shifter and do it yourself? Fine, there's only 4 panels to pop off and like 4 screws on the shifter.

Orrr, you could take it to the dealer for a day and have it done for FREE.

 

I don't think that is coved under my 5/100,000

 

why wouldnt it be?

 

why not? it should be.

 

ya i had this problem also with my 07 LT, i just always had to play with it and i never bothered to get it fixed before i traded it in. if your warranty is still in play it should be covered.

 

This issue is so well-known and common I bet the "nicer" dealers would do it anyways. If yours say no, check another.

 

I have 50k miles, so the factory war is up, and I called 3 dealers and all them say the same thing about $250 parts/labor, but if I can't find one somewhere I might just buy a new shifter and do it myself

O and the 5/100,000 is just for powertrain shifter is not part of powertrain

 

i had the problem too, if you remove that piece of rubber by the ignition you can pop the key out manually

i did it once and never had to do it again

 

i learned that when ur battery is dead that ur keys wont come out of the ignition either. lol

 

isnt the lemon law that if something from the manufacturer is faulty they have to try to fix it.

 

idk I wish, I have been bitching at the dealer about doing this for free, because he did say that they do have this promble alot, and that it is not covered on my warnty. it is starting to **** me off, but thats ok cuz I went and looked at a used G8 at a diff dealer 11K, white, loaded $17,599 so I may be trading the POS anyways, and yes I said P-O-S I have had no trouble out of this car tell it hit about 40K after that it seems like everything is going bad on it and the dealer that I bought it from has giving me really bad service.

But I will be a the feb 7th meet IF I still have my cobalt!

 

isnt it extended warrenty. do u have one?

 

x2

and this WILL happen eventually if you don't fix this problem

 

I had the same thing happen to me. The problem was the shifter. The contacts for park were wore out. I had to constantly hit the shifter forward to try and get it to make a connection

 

Same here. I posted about this a month or so ago... https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/problems-service-maintenance-69/my-car-ate-my-key-142606/

 

I have a 100,000/5 year powertrain

But like I said I'm going to look at that G8 2morrow :-)

 

^god damn. good luck wit that. hope you get it so i can see pics

 

had same problem...got shifter replaced under warranty

 

well last night when leaving work it would not even come out of park, the clip you pull in to move the shifter from park to drive wasn't working , so I had to break it! now it moves without the having to pull the clip in at all, and I have to push the little thing under the wheel to remove the key.

this is pissing me OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and I have to work today so I will not be going to look at that G8