new to forum,2002 extreme,shutting down engine ok,key mostimes will not come back enough to remove.this leaves small batt lite&odometer lite on enough to drain batt overnite.is i play with auto shifter back &forth can get key out most of the time,maybe 5 min.is this an ignition switch problem or trans switch,or door lockproblem?would like to put this job off a few weeks as i need for my work.always parked in secure location at home or work in the country.am carrying a trickle charger & ext cord if cant remove key &going to be somewhere for over 5 or6 hours to keep batt from going dead.see any problems with this----tom

 

i would lean towards an ignition switch problem.

 

My blazer does something simillar. The ignition switch has enough play in it that I can have the key out and turn the ignition enough forward to power on the odometer, gear indicator, and the battery light, but no problems removing the key.

Does your GM security system ever reject the key and disable the vehicle?

 

took blazer to key&lock shop today.with a special tool(looked like a bent up coat hanger)pulled out iginition switch to see if that was the problem,turns out it was not.with screwdriver for key tried to turn all the way off,no luck,so switch is ok.he found in that housing what he called a solinoid switch with a push in plunger,pushed it,it released the key to come all the way back to pull out key.this is siminlar to the old neutral safty switches from years ago.put everything back together as the key shop does not go any further than key problems.he did show me on housing under steering wheel an access hole covered with a plastic plug.this is the overide for this system.now when i shut down engine&want to pull key out i push a small screwdriver up hole to push button,key will turn all the way back to remove key,will do this for awhileuntill have time to go further(may stay like this as i am the only driver)---tom