Hello,
I have a 97 Camaro SS 30th anniversary edition. The steering column is locked and I cannot turn ignition cylinder to start car. I have a aftermarket steering wheel on, but did work fine when I had it replaced. The car has been sitting, I put a new battery in it and was looking for some thoughts as to why I cannot turn cylinder. It has a clutch, so was wondering if it could be Clutch safety switch being faulty or the ignition switch itself. I am thinking about going back with OEM steering wheel also. It did this to me a couple years ago, but all of a sudden worked fine.

Thanks,
Johnny V

 

What is likely happening is the car was slightly in motion with the wheel turned when the car was shut off. This slams the entire weight of the car against the locking pin for the key cylinder. There is only one other thing that could cause the issue and that is if the cylinder itself is damaged inside and basically your key no longer works. That assumes you just swapped the steering wheel and did not go in any deeper. If you dropped a screw or have something together wrong then who knows. But if you did not use a spring compressor you where not in far enough to hurt anything.

My first year after graduation automotive school I was low man, that meant I had to drive the tow truck. About twice a month I would be called to an ignition will not turn call. I never had to tow one. If you can get a friend to rock the car back and forth while you try to unlock it. I am big enough I can put my back on the door jam rock the car and turn the key.

Explanation:
There is a pin that is connected to you ignition switch, its purpose is to lock the steering wheel when the key is off. It just slides the pin into a slot just behind the wheel. If the wheel is trying to right itself or turn the pin will stop it. Without the power steering (the engine is off) all the stress of turning the car ends up on that pin. The key is to small a lever to release that stress, that is why you need a friend to rock the car. He is releasing the pressure temporarily while rocking the car and with the right timing you will pull the pin out of the slot by turning the key.

FYI the clutch safety switch just blocks the power to the starter. It is not mechanical and can not stop anything other then power.

 

Thanks,
I will try that and see if that works. I also have been fooling with cars my whole life, ( I am 62 ) and this one has be baffled. I was a Service advisor @ a Cadillac / Chevrolet dealership when this car was new. I will keep you posted.
Johnny V

 

Hello again,
I tried rocking it back and forth also. Still cannot turn ignition cylinder.

Thanks,
Johnny v

 

get it figured out?

 

No Sir. I just tried it again.
Thanks,
Johnny V

 

Under the steering wheel there is a locking plate. The locking plate can be a pain to get off but if you can get it an it still does not turn it is something on the lower end on the lever that turn the ignition or the cylinder itself. You will need a steering wheel puller and a locking plate spring compressor. I have seen all kinds of issues with keys working but 95% of that is on stolen car recovery.

 

besides what corn said have you tried some lube in the key hole, then putting key in and out to lossen any stuck tumblers,,, also look in the hole for crud, maybe find some small wire to dig around a bit and see what you can fish out if anything. being nice so as to not do harm to it. just trying to get crud or small chips of anything that may have been stuck to key

 

The Camaro 4th gen key has a black square thing on it off the top of my head, probably computer codes that also make it difficult to steal

I had the same or very similar problem

key put inside the car's ignition would not turn, in fact it started to get stuck in , if i recall, to the point where I had to take off my house and other keys from the key ring

I had to get a locksmith, and he drove to my camaro (referred by a transmission repair speciaty shop) and the locksmith, changed or worked on the key codes

had all sorts of gizmo and gave me a piece of paper with a hand written set of codes on it
i don't remember why right now

he basically gave me a new key that started the car up , i think

the price was $180, quite steep, given the fact that he broke my hazard button completely off, to the point it was flush with the rest of the steering wheel

maybe u can call a locksmith you find off the web that can drive to your car and do the same thing?

best of luck, i kind of fear that similar thing happens again, but I'm naturally nervous

dream or visualize a successful outcome like in bodybuilding or sports: "visualization" and it will happen, fellow 4th gen owner