1997 Ford Taurus ignition switch was jammed and would not turn. Wiggled the steering wheel and it turned. It wont start the engine but all of the dash lights are on. It turns very freely. Took off the ignition tumbler and it seems fine nothing broke. The plastic shaft that moves when the key is rotated moves in both directions with no pressure. I suspect the ignition switch is broken.

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT RELEASE

It can be faulty ignition lock cylinder. I suggest to wiggle the steering wheel a bit and see if the key gets released out. If that is not helping then first turn steering wheel to right and try removing the key, or next turn steering wheel to left and see if you can remove the key.

----------

Spray wd-40 in the ignition key hole and let it remain there for few minutes, after that once again try to remove the key and see if that helps.

---------

But if that is not helping then ignition lock cylinder has to be removed out and key has to be manually removed.

-----------

For more troubleshooting on these types of issues, I suggest you to refer the help links mentioned below. Its the accurate solutions mentioned in it. That will help you to narrow the problem: -----

Click the link below: ------

-----------

1999 Toyota Camry: Key Will Not Come Out Of Ignition?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1999-toyota-camry-key-will-not-come-out.html

---------------

2001 Toyota Tacoma: Ignition Locked?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2001-toyota-tacoma-ignition-locked.html

------------

Ignition Switch Will Not Turn Off?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/ignition-switch-will-not-turn-off.html

-----------

Car will not turn the ignition to start?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-will-not-turn-ignition-to-start.html

-----------

Ignition Key OFF but engine still running?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/ignition-key-off-but-engine-still.html

--------------

Chevrolet Malibu: Key Stuck in ON position?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/chevrolet-malibukey-stuck-in-on.html

2012 Dodge Ram: Ignition Key will not release?

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/2012-dodge-ram-ignition-key-will-not.html

-----------

Ignition locked up on Mercury Villager?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/ignition-locked-up-on-mercury-villager.html

-------------

Key won't turn in the ignition on Toyota land cruiser?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/key-wont-turn-in-ignition-on-toyota.html

-------------------

How to remove ignition switch on VW Car models?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-remove-ignition-switch-on-vw-car.html

-------------

How to Replace Ignition Switch on Chevrolet Caprice Classic?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-ignition-switch-on.html

-----------------

1995 Ford Taurus: Ignition switch not turning OFF?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/1995-ford-taurus-ignition-switch-not.html

-------------

Ignition Problem Troubleshooting

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/ignition-problem-troubleshooting.html

------------------

These will help.

Thanks.

Usually a sign the tumblers in the lock cylinder have worn out or jammed.
You may have to get the lock cylinder drilled out and replaced.

It can be faulty ignition lock cylinder.I suggest to wiggle the steering wheel a bit and see if the key gets released out.If that is not helping then first turn steering wheel to right and try removing the key,or next turn steering wheel to left and see if you can remove the key.
----------
Spray wd-40 in the ignition key hole and let it remain there for few minutes,after that once again try to remove the key and see if that helps.
---------
But if that is not helping then ignition lock cylinder has to be removed out and key has to be manually removed.
-----------
For more troubleshooting on these types of issues,i suggest you to refer the help links mentioned below.Its the accurate solutions mentioned in it.that will help you to narrow the problem:-----
Click the link below:------

-----------

1999 Toyota Camry: Key Will Not Come Out Of Ignition?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1999-toyota-camry-key-will-not-come-out.html
---------------

2001 Toyota Tacoma: Ignition Locked?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2001-toyota-tacoma-ignition-locked.html
------------

Ignition Switch Will Not Turn Off?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/ignition-switch-will-not-turn-off.html
-----------

Car will not turn the ignition to start?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-will-not-turn-ignition-to-start.html

-----------

Ignition Key OFF but engine still running?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/ignition-key-off-but-engine-still.html
--------------

Chevrolet Malibu: Key Stuck in ON position?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/chevrolet-malibukey-stuck-in-on.html

2012 Dodge Ram: Ignition Key will not release?

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/2012-dodge-ram-ignition-key-will-not.html-----------

Ignition locked up on Mercury Villager?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/ignition-locked-up-on-mercury-villager.html-------------

Key won't turn in the ignition on Toyota land cruiser?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/key-wont-turn-in-ignition-on-toyota.html

-------------------

How to remove ignition switch on VW Car models?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-remove-ignition-switch-on-vw-car.html
-------------

How to Replace Ignition Switch on Chevrolet Caprice Classic?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-ignition-switch-on.html

-----------------

1995 Ford Taurus: Ignition switch not turning OFF?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/1995-ford-taurus-ignition-switch-not.html
-------------

Ignition Problem Troubleshooting

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/ignition-problem-troubleshooting.html
------------------These will help.Thanks.

Try turning the steering wheel in the same direction as the wheels are turned while trying to turn the key to start.

Sometimes the cause of this is the steering wheel is turned to the left or right when you shut the engine off and it holds pressure against the steering lock mechanism. Try turning the steering wheel hard to the left or right while trying to turn the key and see if that solves your problem.

There are a couple of things you can try. Check under the dash at the foot pedal for the brake. There are switches there which sometimes can get hit by feet and broken or thrown out of their holders. These switches are linked to the gearshift, ignition switch, and steering wheel.

The steering wheel or gearshift lever can bind the lock cylinder. You may have a stuck shift button or the shifter or steering wheel may need to be "wiggled" to line up the interlocks. This would be done while one hand attempts to turn the keyswitch and the other hand "wiggles" the steering wheel or gearshift.

The lock cylinder can be bad within the switch housing. The switch housing may be adjustable and the adjustment holddown screw may have slipped. You may need to change the Ignition switch. The switch is connected by cable or rod to parts under the dash.

I listed the above things to check in the most frequent order. The problem is the manufacturers make a mess of things by connecting the controls with rods and cables that will eventually jam when one of four things slip out of position. I hope you find my solution very helpful.

if the key turns fully as it suppose to the electrical ignition switch is at fault

Hi, sounds to me like you may need to adjust the ignition switch ,losen the two screws that hold it on and move it up or down til the car turns off at the same time it shounld make the steering wheel lock,hope this help's.steve