Ignition lock frozen

wiggle steering wheel up and down sometimes the steering lock tab jams and wont permit key to turn ====if key worn down will not let ignition cylinder turn other is bad ignition cylinder

APPLY BRAKE AND MAKE SURE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED. IF IT IS PARKED SO THERE IS PRESSURE ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD RIGHT OR LEFT IT WILL MAKE THE KEY VERY HARD TO TURN.

the ignition module (ignition switch on top of the steering column) normally doesn't get stuck.

things you can try:
steering wheel lock: (the pin gets a "burr" on it and locks everything up) wiggle steering wheel back and forth while trying to turn key.

transmission lock (parking on an incline will jam up the interlock)
push the shifter farther into park while trying to turn the key, or wiggle shifter

is the steering locked if it is you need to rotate the steering wheel back and forth while turning the key to release the lock, if the steering is turned all the way then try turning the steering wheel right while wiggling the key in the ignition to release the lock, if the steering wheel is free then get some graphite from an auto parts store and put it on the key and insert it into the ignition to get it lubricated

try to turn the wheel so that the steering wheel dose not have a load on it while truning the key also you may want to try and "wiggle" the shifter if it is located on the colum.

You will most likely need to replace the ignition lock cylinder.

Functional Lock Cylinder

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers.
3. Turn the ignition lock to the accessory position.
4. Insert a 0.125 (3.17mm) wire pin or small drift punch in the hole at the top of the cylinder housing and depress the retaining pin while pulling out the lock cylinder To Install:
   
5. Turn the new lock cylinder to accessory position and while pressing the retaining pin in, insert the lock cylinder into the housing.
6. Turn the key to the OFF position the release the retaining pin.
7. Try the lock cylinder operation in all positions.
8. Reinstall the steering column covers.
9. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

Non-Functional Lock Cylinder

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers.
3. Insert a 0.125 (3.17mm) drill bit in the hole at the top of the cylinder housing and drill out the retaining pin. NOTE: Be careful not to drill into the lock cylinder housing.
   
4. Pull out the lock cylinder.
5. Clean out all the metal shavings and check the tube for damage. If damaged, the housing must be replaced. To Install:
   
6. Turn the new lock cylinder to accessory position and while pressing the retaining pin in, insert the lock cylinder into the housing.
7. Turn the key to the OFF position the release the retaining pin.
8. Try the lock cylinder operation in all positions.
9. Reinstall the steering column covers.
10. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the three screws and remove the lower column cover





Releasing the lock cylinder retaining pin

Hi there,

Removal

Disconnect the negative battery cable with the proper size wrench and place away from the battery.
Insert the key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the run position.
Remove the steering column cover on a tilt steering wheel model by pressing the upper and lower section of the cover together and pulling free from the mounting plate. Remove the steering column covers on a non tilt steering wheel model by using a Philips screwdriver and unscrewing the mounting screws.
Disconnect the electrical connector from the ignition switch by lifting up on the release tab and pulling.
Press the ignition switch actuator pin by pushing a small screw driver into the key lock cylinder, while doing this pull the ignition switch out of the ignition switch housing.

Installation

Insert the new key into the new ignition switch and turn the key to the run position. Insert the new ignition switch into the ignition switch housing. Wiggle the switch back and forth until the actuator pin mounting hole is aligned and falls into place.
Install the electrical connector back into the connector housing by pressing it in with your hands.
Place the steering column covers back onto the non tilt steering wheel and insert mounting screws. Tighten screws using a Philips screwdriver. Place the steering column covers over the tilt steering wheel and press the upper and lower portion together to snap covers back into the mounting plate.
Pull on the ignition key to ensure switch is locked into place. Turn key to the "off" position and remove the key. Insert the key and start the vehicle.

Hope these help.

Disconnect the negative battery cable with the proper size wrench and place away from the battery.

Insert the key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the run position.

2 Remove the steering column cover on a tilt steering wheel model by pressing the upper and lower section of the cover together and pulling free from the mounting plate. Remove the steering column covers on a non tilt steering wheel model by using a Philips screwdriver and unscrewing the mounting screws.

3 Disconnect the electrical connector from the ignition switch by lifting up on the release tab and pulling.

Press the ignition switch actuator pin by pushing a small screw driver into the key lock cylinder, while doing this pull the ignition switch out of the ignition switch housing.

Installation

1 Insert the new key into the new ignition switch and turn the key to the run position. Insert the new ignition switch into the ignition switch housing. Wiggle the switch back and forth until the actuator pin mounting hole is aligned and falls into place.

2 Install the electrical connector back into the connector housing by pressing it in with your hands.

3 Place the steering column covers back onto the non tilt steering wheel and insert mounting screws. Tighten screws using a Philips screwdriver. Place the steering column covers over the tilt steering wheel and press the upper and lower portion together to snap covers back into the mounting plate.

4 Pull on the ignition key to ensure switch is locked into place. Turn key to the "off" position and remove the key. Insert the key and start the vehicle.

hope this helps you