I have had this problem before, fixed it once by spraying some (lubrication of your choice) into the key cylinder... then slide the key in and out several times and give it another go... if that doesn't work, make sure (sounds stupid but...) the car is in park, jiggle it a bit to make sure.... if that does not work there is several other things you can try...
I too have had this problem, the trick is to push the key in to the barrel quite hard alternately put the key in the ignition then knock the key in further (not with a hammer or any thing too heavy) your hand or wrist will do.
I have this problem sometimes too. All I do is turn the steering wheel as far as I can and hold while turning the key. Has something to do with the locking steering wheel system.
SOURCE: ignition key won t turn. steering wheel locked
the key may be worn badly or the ignition needs to be replaced.
SOURCE: I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle
sounds like the key is either worn down to where the ridges in the key wont push the tumblers inside the key lock cylinder into their proper place to move the cylinder into the starting position. Or your steering colum is locked and the wheel is moving freely as if it were not. So your solution would be to either have an expert look at it (estimated cost: 200$ low/400$high) or you can attempt to fix it yourself.
should you choose the "I'll fix it myself" method....try getting a new key made at a hardware store since keys wearout over time (ie:10years of turning that old key), this may solve the problem right away if the ridges are just worn on the key. Or the hard way, you need to get a phillips screwdriver and some jewelers tools and an 8mm or 10mm wrench/rachet+socket to disconnect the battery, then underneath the steering colum just under the ignition is a hole in the colum shroud/cover, from there you can disconnect the ignition key lock cylinder (the thing you put your key into). once you've removed the cylinder from the steering colum you should test your key again to see if you can turn the cylinder outside of the colum if you cannot then buy a new ignition key lock cylinder for about 15$-30$...problems solved.
SOURCE: 2000 jeep grand cherokee- ignition
I had the same problem today - January 30th 2009. what i did was spray
some WD40 in the cylinder and sprayed the key with WD40, then inserted
the key in the ignition, then "lightly" and i mean "lightly" tapped the
end of the key with the end of a wrench (my brass hammer was not in
reach) 3 or 4 times. removed the key and then inserted again - then
"all was well. the ignition turned, car started, and i will now wait
till the next time something goes wrong with the car...
Gene
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