Q: Key locked in the ignition switch

asked by on November 10, 2017

My dad has a 79 Cadillac deville the battery is dead now he cant get the key out the ignition it has locked up what could be the problem is it because the battery is completely dead
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Clicking sound when turning over.
This may be related to a faulty starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is located on the starter and has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not...
Misfiring Cylinder after replacing the plugs three months ago. Is it a chance that the whole batch of plugs may have been defective?
Hi there. The best thing to do is switch the coil over from cylinder 3 to cylinder 1 and see if the misfire continues with cylinder 3 or if it changes to cylinder 1. If the misfire stays with cylinder...
No crank/no start
Be sure the battery is fully charged. "New" batteries are not necessarily fully charged at time of sale. Of course, confirm that the engine immobilizer system (security system) is not activated. With the key held in the "start" position, you...
How much would it cost do do a top end motor rebuild on my 1991 acura integra
Hi there. Unfortunately, this is a service that our mobile mechanics are not able to perform. In general however, this type of service ranges from $1,250 to $2,000 based on the location, parts used and damaged to the cylinder head....
Rough idling
Hi there. It's possible that your throttle position sensor is the cause of your idle issues. If you cleaned the throttle body and that helped, it's also possible cleaning the fuel injectors and ERG valve would also improve this situation....
Will a oxygen sensor cause your transmission to stop pulling
A faulty oxygen sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-oxygen-sensor) will cause the engine to run less efficiently (use more gas than usual) and may degrade engine performance to some extent. However, failure of the oxygen sensor itself can not cause the transmission to fail...
Having problems with door locks on 08 Cadillac CTS. Driver side door especially and will not lock or unlock with key. Others loc
This is often related to a malfunctioning door lock actuator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/door-lock-actuator-replacement), a blown fuse or a faulty power door lock switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/door-lock-switch-replacement). When you use the door lock switch in the car it sends a signal to a relay which...
Donde esta ubicado el fusible o relay de los fog lights en 2008 Dodge charger SXT
The fog light fuse and relay are usually in the under hood fuse box. If the lights are not working, these components can be tested using a volt ohmmeter. Note that grounding is very important and failure of the lighting...
2013 GMC Terrain stalls when accelerating from a stop
There are many potential causes for your concern. However, there are a couple common problems with your model vehicle that come to mind. First, this vehicle is known for having problems with the variable valve timing (VVT) system. The VVT...

Related articles

A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Even Even with hybrids being all the rage these days, you might find it hard to imagine a full-size SUV embracing this new tech. However, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid should be all that it takes to show you what’s...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Cadillac STS
Big, Big, bold and beautiful, the 2011 Cadillac STS is a full-size, four-door sedan that promises more than ample room for the entire family, as well as the power and performance you expect from the automaker. 2011 marked the final...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Architect
Obviously, Obviously, architects appreciate beauty and symmetry. This is not just the case when it comes to their building projects, but also in terms of the vehicles they choose. We have evaluated several used cars, and identified the Mercedes CLA,...