ignition lock won't release key
 

2004 Blazer Extreme with console shifter. A couple weeks ago started randomly not being able to remove key from ignition switch after put in Park. Could shift up and down a few times and eventually would release key. Today nothing I try works. My immediate concern is getting the key out of the ignition. I tried pushing a ball point pen and also a small screwdriver thru the hole in plastic cover under the steering column. Mine is almost under the center of column, not offset to the right side closer to the switch. This didn't even work. My question is what should I use for this. What am I trying to hit inside this hole? Is there a button that releases the key? Or should I use something like an icepick that would go in a smaller hole pushing the release pin? Please I hope someone can help. Thanks

My Blazer is a 1997 with the hole to the right of center. I use a screwdriver.

On the advice of my mechanic I took the top off the shifter console and sprayed the shifter mechanism with carb cleaner.

It fixed my problem. Now when I depress the button on the shifter I can hear a relay click in the dash and the ignition key will release when I turn it off.

I had the same problem with my 2004 Blazer. The first time I replaced the shifter mechanism and it took care of the problem. It happened again about two years later.

This time I wired a push button switch in the circuit to energize the key solenoid to release the key.

Had same problemwith my 92 blazer just replaced ignition switch no problems afterwords

I have had this same problem before, also. From what I was able to determine with mine, there is a relay activated by the brake light switch, which in turn allows the shift lock to disengage when you depress the shift lock button. There is also a micro switch that detects when the shift lever is in park. This is where my problem was, but in order to rectify the situation, I needed a new console shifter. Luckily, my local scrapyard had one for $50 and I never had the problem again, except the new shifter was bent, and it needed to be straightened to release the lock button. Search on here for threads containing shift interlock and stuck key problems. This isn't a rare problem ;)