Key will not release when car is placed into park. also trouble keeping engine going when starting the pontiac sunfire

SOURCE: 1997 pontiac sunfire key wont turn in ignition

You will have to have the ignition cylinder replaced in the car. The only thing that keeps that ignition from turning is a little tang on the sdie of it. The only way that tang moves is by the tumblers inside the cylinder moving it. They will have a hard time replacing it too as they can't remove the cylinder from the bore until it is in the "run" position. Obviously there are ways to get them out but it usually involves using half the tools of a good tech's toolbox. if it is towed the towtruck driver will have to use dolly wheels or remove the shifter cable at the transmission to get it to move as it will be stuck in park- unless is a standard shift.
I am sorry for the bad news. Get a second opinion from somebody that can put their hands on it , but it sounds like you have a tried all or most of the tricks.
Good luck...........Scott

SOURCE: key locked in ignition... can't get it out. HELP!

I had this problem. To get your key out a pencil or thin bolt 2-3" long is needed. Look under the steering wheel and you will see a hole (not a screw hole). Press up with the pencil and you will depress a lever and you can turn and remove your key. You can keep doing this forever, if you like, but the problem is the neutral Park switch which is located under the console where the shifter is. When you get the cover off, which takes a little patience, you will see a switch up towards the top near the Park position. There is a broken or shorted wire that connects to that switch. I think in mine and maybe yours the wire was installed in a bad spot and got pinched, eventually it breaks or wears thru. How it works is when you put it in park it touches thaat switch which turn on a tiny sloenoid in your key mechanism which depress that lever you pushed with you pencil, and you can then turn off the car and remove your key! Fix the broken wire and you are back in business.
Walt

SOURCE: key locked in ignition... can't get it out. HELP!

while in park, press harder up past park and it will disengage. Otherwise there is a pin on the ignition you can press and remove the entire ignition. You call also lightly tap gently around igniton piece to loose the pins inside that hold the key.

SOURCE: 98 pontiac sunfire starts then in a second shuts off

first of all lights on dashbord should come on no matter security or pass key deterant is in .better check "ignition switch".

SOURCE: 1999 Pontiac Sunfire ignition lock cylinder

try turning the ignition on try to start then without shutting key off wait 10 mins then shut key off then back on but do not try starting leave on for ten mins then back off turn key back on to run but do not try starting it wait ten mins then if it reset it should crank over and start if not repeat all steps again