Questions and Answers

Grand AM Won't Shut Off Q. My 1996 with now 70,000 miles on it won't shut off - periodically. It started last year out of the blue. After 5 to 10 minutes there would be a click in the dash and I learned that I could then shut it off. Last summer the dealership service dept. replaced the entire ignition cylinder, but soon it was not shutting off again!

We found on the internet a site that clearly identified the problem - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM at 60,000 miles - but about that time the car started working perfectly - and continued to until after Christmas when it acted up for about 24 hours. The problem is that I was too stupid to write down the problem or bookmark the site! This morning - out of the blue - it wouldn't turn off when I got to work and it still won't turn off. I've tried everything I can think of!!! Please help! The service departments at the dealership are clueless!

A. Guess what? I found the site you are talking about. It is Professional Mechanics Online and the question/answer was:

Question: 96 Pontiac Grand Am 2.5 mileage: 69,000. When you turn off the ignition the switch won't rotate all the way back to the off position and you can't remove the key. If you wait 3-5 minutes, you hear a little click like a relay de-energizing and then you can turn the switch to off and remove the key. Is it a relay problem? Or something holding the relay in?

Answer: Sounds like the ignition lock is causing your problems. Replacing it should be the answer.

I concur with their diagnosis and I think replacing the ignition lock cylinder will cure the problem.

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