Ignition cylinder won't turn

Is your key worn out? If it is have a new key made. If key is fine spray some lube into ignitio key cylinder. Use a nozzle to get as deep as possible into cylinder cavity. Then let lub sit for a couple of hours. After, insert key and pull up, down and to sides until it releases. If it does not release you will need to pull out cylinder and lub all tabs or just replace cylinder.

I'm assuming you mean your key wont turn in the ignition. first off check to make sure the car is in park. then what you gotta do is put in the key and put a little pressure as if turning but dont turn too hard, then even though the steering wheel is locked you will have to try to move it a little, if you parked with your tires turned then you will want to try to turn the wheel in the same direction, (even locked you should be able to move it about a half inch) you will have to turn the wheel hard but it should move enough to allow the key to turn, you may have to jiggle the key a little in the ignition but it should eventually turn, just remember not to try turning the key too hard, the extra force wont make it go but can cause the key to break. this tends to happen when you turn the car off andthe steering wheel gets locked if the wheels are turned hard in either direction. also if multiple attempts at this still dont work, try taking the key out and turning it over and trying again. Even though both sides of the key are identicle, because of wear on the key and the ignition, sometimes when the wheel locks the ignition, it will only turn if the key is put in a certain way. Hope this helps, good luck

several things, does key go in and out easily, turn steering wheel in both directions while turning key. sometimes the steering wheel lock binds the lock cylinder and turning wheel releases the pressure and it will turn. other than that the ignition cylinder is jammed, wet key lightly with lubricant such as wd-40 and a light bit in key hole and try key again, If key is heavily worn out , try a different ignition key as it might not be disengaging all the tumblers in lock, if all this fails you need a new cylinder.

If you're having trouble starting your car and you've been through troubleshooting the starter and alternator, it may be time to replace the ignition switch. Though this is a job best suited for a professional mechanic, if you're willing to take it on, here's how to replace the ignition switch in your car.
Instructions:
1.Disconnect the negative battery cable from the terminal on the battery. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers by unscrewing or unclipping them.
2.Remove the steering wheel by lifting off the center cover, disconnecting the horn wire and removing the retaining nut and washer. Make a mark on the steering wheel spline and the wheel itself so you can line it back up precisely. Pull the steering wheel straight back to remove from the shaft.
3.Take off windshield wiper and turn signal switches by pulling them off as you did the steering wheel and disconnect the wiring. Slide the spacer sleeve off of the steering column.
4. Unscrew the ignition switch mounting screws. Pull out the ignition switch. Disconnect the wiring connector from back of the ignition switch. Simply loosen the tabs and pull it out.
5. Insert your key into the ignition. Turn the ignition switch to the locked position. Depress the retaining pin with a small screwdriver and turn the key to the Off position to free the cylinder. Once it is free, turn the key to lock position and remove the key and key cylinder.
6. Install your old key cylinder into the new ignition switch assembly. Make sure the contacts in the cylinder and assembly line up. Reattach wiring to ignition switch, slide it into place, screw in mounting screws and reassemble steering wheel and switches.

Sounds like the ignition switch has gone kaput. The ignition switch come in two pieces, an electrical switch and a mechanical switch.

The switch electrical portion can be replaced separatly from the mechanical portion (tumbler that the key engages). It is not a real difficult repair but requires some mechanical knowlege of how the column is assembled.

This can be verified with electrical test equipment prior to buying a new electrical switch.

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.

The tumblers in the lock cylinder are stuck and this prevents the key from turning. Spray some lubricant into the cylinder, insert the key in and out numerous times and also hit the end of the key with a rubber hammer while it is in the cylinder and this will help to release the tumblers.

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

exactly! The cylinder lock gets activated when the key is turned back for removal it releases a pin which will actually lock the steering wheel. Exactly opposite when inserted, First it has to release the steering lock otherwise the key simply wont turn. So it must have got stuck in lock position . Try jostling the wheel and rotate the key towards ignition position. If you hear a small click, that's the release of that pin and the wheel becomes free and the key can also be turned. This assembly must have got jammed or broken altogether and you might have to change the entire keylock..........sodeep