Ignition key won't turn

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I tried to start my car and the key won't turn past position II. The dash lights up but the key won't turn far enough to start the car. Has this happened to any of you? How do I fix?
 
Try flipping the key over.

Sometimes with other things and keys on the ring, one side gets a little worn.

I've had it happen before on a work truck I had.
 
Turn the steering wheel left and right a little while trying to start the car. Sometimes if you preload the steering wheel before pulling out the key (with the steering lock), it will bind up a little. Just like the parking pawl on your automatic transmission if you park it on a steep hill. It can take a bit of doing to get it back out of park.
 
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Turn the steering wheel left and right a little while trying to start the car. Sometimes if you preload the steering wheel before pulling out the key (with the steering lock), it will bind up a little. Just like the parking pawl on your automatic transmission if you park it on a steep hill. It can take a bit of doing to get it back out of park.


I had the same thing happen and it was because I had to move the steering wheel a little bit. Apparently when you try to turn it when the car is off, it locks the ignition and you have to move the wheel before you start it to get the key to turn.
 
Turning the wheel would be a issue if he could not turn the key.

He is turning the key all but the very last notch.
 
I know in my explorer, I have to press unlock on the key fob right before attempting to start. Always been that way. It will go into accessory and on and turn into start but not start. I dunno, I'd just give it a try.
 
This happened to my ION once. I had to have the dealer replace the tumbler and lock cylinder and it cost me about $500.

After that, I swore my next car would be a Honda.
 
Mechanical neutral safety device (eg column mounted auto trans shifter?) Might help to know what car. GMs are just sloppy, fords have the idiotic release lever that people ignore, etc.
 
Similar thing happened on my '79 Blazer once, except the key would not turn OFF. Only solution was to remove the battery cable to stop the truck, then replace the lock tumbler.

Turned out it was made of plastic, just like the distributor I just had to replace on my newer Chevy truck. These two events are two of the reasons this GM vehicle is the last I will ever own.
 
I tried you suggestions. The steering wheel is not locked. It turns a little, the front wheels are straight. I tried both keys and WD40. The brake lights work. The S40 is auto with a shift on the floor. The key turns to position II so the dash lights up but it doesn't turn all the way to the start position. The battery is fine. I even disconnected the negative cable overnight, reconnected it and still won't turn all the way. I can put the car in neutral but still no start. I tapped the cylinder with a rubber mallet. Help!
 
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