97 s-10, Key wont come out of ignition

[Prerunner1982]

Ok.. wife is stuck at home with the key stuck in the ignition. It will turn forward but the car wont start. It will not turn back all the way to be able to take the key out. I am not at home so I can not fully diagnose it. I searched online and found how to get the key to release but the lock cylinder is still not in the off position. I dont know if the battery is dead, it maybe as she said nothing came on when she turned the key. Is there a relationship between a dead battery and key not releasing? She also states she can not get the shifter to move from the park position.... help.

[Prerunner1982]

Update: Wife was able to jump start the truck and was able to turn the key all the way off and remove the key.

I read where 97 was the only year for the floor shifter and that perhaps the shifter wasnt completely in the Park position. I believe it was full in Park.

Here is my theory: If the battery was fully drained, as it seems to have been. The ignition system wasnt getting the signal from the shifter that it was in park so it would not release the key. Sound good?

[protrash64]

On my 99 blazer the switch will not turn all the way back unless the steering wheel is moved to let the lock set. I think it is just a wear issue. It doesnt happen all the time and Im not sure if its what is going on with yours or not.

[Prerunner1982]

It is not a wear issue, the key wouldnt come out because the battery was dead. But now the bigger issue is what is draining the battery.

[protrash64]

........yeah, that sucks!!! Good luck, maybe the starter is bad???

[Prerunner1982]

Well so far I think I may have it. After a long time chasing wires and pulling fuses I think it is the remote lock controller box. When I pulled the A breaker on the fuse box I could hear the relay clicking in the controller box. The test light went out when the box was disconnected. Her truck started up this morning after sitting all night... so far so good. Thanks for the help/input.

[protrash64]

Where the hell is that thing located??????? Is that what controls all the door locks when you turn the key in the door? On the Blazer, all of the doors unlock with the hatch key, for instance.

Nice work on finding it , by the way........

[Prerunner1982]

It is mounted to the inside of the lowest dash panel, the black panel that mounts down by the pedals. The box is on the left side. You can't see if unless you drop the panel. As far as I know it only controls the locks if activated from the remote. The power locks still work using the switches.

[68C15]

it is the remote door lock reciever. it can be re-programmed quite easily using a short jumper wire in case you get a used one from the salvage yard. hint-hint

[Prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by 68C15

it is the remote door lock reciever. it can be re-programmed quite easily using a short jumper wire in case you get a used one from the salvage yard. hint-hint

I have thought about that or finding someone who is parting out a blazer. However, I may open it up first and see if it can be repaired. The remote door locks worked, it just seems to be shorting and draining the battery.

[Prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Where the hell is that thing located??????? Is that what controls all the door locks when you turn the key in the door? On the Blazer, all of the doors unlock with the hatch key, for instance.

Nice work on finding it , by the way........

The only problem I have found now that I have removed it is that the driver's side door will only lock and unlock manually. The lock switch works on all other doors, but the drivers side will not lock/unlock. The passenger lock switch controls all of the doors except the drivers. You have to move the lever on the door or use the key from the outside. I guess when I initially tested the locks I hit the switch on the drivers door and watched the passenger door lock and figured all was well.
I could probably rewire this to get it to work, but I am looking for another control box to swap in. I would like it to work as I am thinking of selling it soon.

[protrash64]

I didnt have a door handle for 2 years.....I just fixed that and thought it was pretty sweet......