Help - Key will not insert into the ignition switch

[Sammy]

I just got this 87' Silverado R10 here in Michigan in December, right from the trailer to the garage and a car cover. Nice day today decided to uncover and take a ride. I didn't mean to turn the steering wheel to lock, but it happened, now I cannot get the key inserted into the ignition switch. I've tried working the steering wheel back and forth. I have the steering wheel off and I can push the rod in to turn the wheel past the cutouts on the piece under the cover plate but I cannot get the key to insert.

 

[Camar068]

key won't go in? I'd say that's going to be the key switch itself. If you can get it in but can't turn it, then that's a different scenario.

 

[Sammy]

Thank you for the reply, but yeah it won't go in at all. IDK what happened. It started fine before and I didn't mean to turn the wheel and lock it. I had a 64' Chevelle before this so I had forgotten all about that locking feature from the 80's. I was at sea 95% of the 80's anyway. Thanks again, Sam

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Some silicone spray in the switch and jiggle the key and the switch. I'd make sure you have the switch rotated all the way to its park position. If it's not the switch will lock the key in until it's all the way parked. So I imagine it won't let you insert it either.

 

[edgephoto]

Your steering wheel lock has nothing to do with the key being inserted. That is the ignition lock cylinder, the ignition switch is at the base of the column.

Are you sure you are trying the correct key? These old girls had the square key for the ignition and a round one for the doors.

Spray some penetrating oil into the lock cylinder and push the key in and out until it goes in all the way. The tumblers in the cylinder may be stuck.

 

[83Stepper]

Sounds like the ignition switch has potentially failed. If you can't get the key to wiggle into the lock cylinder, sounds like the tumblers inside have failed or are stuck. Wouldn't have anything to do with the steering wheel being locked. Unless it was cranked hard all the way to the left or right then turned off. It could potentially cause the ignition lock cylinder to be stuck causing one or more of the tumblers inside to be stuck. But generally the lockplate inside the column just keeps the wheel from being turned when the ignition switch is off and doesn't prevent the key from being inserted. Not saying it can't happen, but it's pretty rare to hear of it happening.

Try shooting some silicone or lubricating spray in the lock cylinder and wiggle the ignition switch front to rear while trying to insert the key. Is the indent in the cylinder lined up with the lock position on the column?

Edit: Just seen more in the pics, the lock button isn't engaged in any of them shown. Although that horn cam is fubar lol. Try some penetrating oil on that lock cylinder to free up the tumblers. If that doesn't work, you're more than likely going to need a new switch.

 

[edgephoto]

You will need to remove the lock plate and get the turn signal switch out of the way.

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