Why won't my 2021 Chevrolet Colorado key come out of the ignition?

Quick Summary

• Issue: Key stuck in ignition won’t remove
• Vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 V6
• Problem: Failed park switch in gear selector
• Solution: Gear selector control assembly replacement
• Location: Omaha service

Summary

Keys that won’t come out of the ignition in 2021 Chevrolet Colorado trucks typically indicate park switch failure in the automatic transmission gear selector. Gateway Auto’s ASE-certified technicians diagnosed the intermittent key removal problem and discovered the park switch was failing to properly signal when the vehicle was in Park. Replacing the entire gear selector control assembly with a factory GM component restored reliable key removal function.

At Gateway Auto, we recently repaired this ignition issue on a Colorado ZR2. Here’s how we found and fixed it.

5 Signs Your Colorado Has Park Switch Problems

• Key won’t come out of ignition intermittently
• Key removal works sometimes after moving shifter around
• No diagnostic codes stored in the computer system
• Problem occurs randomly without warning
• Key gets stuck even when vehicle is properly in Park

What We Found: 2 Key Issues

1. Failed Park Switch

The internal park switch was not properly detecting when the transmission was in Park.

2. Intermittent Operation

The problem occurred twice during testing, confirming unreliable switch function.

Our 4-Step Repair Process

1. Diagnostic Testing
   → Confirmed key removal problem and checked for related codes.
2. Problem Recreation
   → Experienced the issue during testing and verified shifter movement sometimes allowed key release.
3. Component Replacement
   → Installed a factory GM gear selector control assembly with integrated park switch.
4. Function Testing
   → Verified reliable key removal operation after repair.

3 Ways to Prevent Gear Selector Problems

• Regular Transmission Maintenance
  Keep your automatic transmission properly serviced.
• Gentle Shifter Operation
  Avoid forcing the gear selector into positions.
• Professional Diagnostics
  Address intermittent issues early before they result in complete failure.

What Customers Say

“Key comes out perfectly every time now. No more getting stuck.” — Linda F.

“Professional diagnosis found the exact problem without guessing.” — Mike R.

Quick FAQ

Q: Why does moving the shifter around sometimes help?
A: The failing park switch may make temporary contact when the shifter is moved, allowing key removal.

Q: Can I drive with this problem?
A: Yes, but you may get stuck unable to remove your key, which is inconvenient and potentially unsafe.

Q: Why replace the entire shifter assembly?
A: The park switch is integrated into the assembly and cannot be serviced separately.

Don’t Get Stuck With Your Key

A key that won’t come out of the ignition can leave you stranded and unable to secure your vehicle. If your Colorado is having intermittent key removal problems, schedule professional ignition repair at Gateway Auto in Omaha today.