ok, background:

1998 Olds Intrigue (3.8L motor)
Car moved from driveway to street parking and turned off.
Car sat for a day.
Next day, tried to start the car and the key would not turn.


What has been tried:

Steering wheel turns left and right, so it'* not the wheel lock.
Shift lever(console) is in park
When key is inserted, the dinging is heard.
WD40 used to see if it will help.

Now, i'm kinda stuck as to what is causing this. Luckily the car is parked in a decent spot, until the snow starts, then it will be an issue. If anyone has the manuals, or knows something that can be tried, please let me know.

Thanks. Can provide more info as needed.

check the shifter cable. I once had mine come unadjusted, and wouldnt let me take the key out....maybe something similar to your case

ok, I will have to figure out how to get the console off enough to do that. Also need to located the parking safety override switch on it incase it needs to be moved.

And just to let you know, this is the best anti-theft device. Car'* been parked for 5 days, unlocked, with two keys on the front seat (nothing of value in the car) and not one person has touched, and even if there did, they aren't going anywhere...

Maybe your ignition switch is bad. Have you tried a different key?

forgot to post. 3 different keys were tried.

Ok, this is still an issue, and since the car is under 8" of snow on the side of the road, we'd like to get it solved soon.

Currently, we are waiting to see about getting a new key cut based on the VIN, rather than an old key (since the ones tried were not cut from an original)

If that doesn't work, we are thinking a new Ignition switch, roughly $110, should do the trick. Hopefully.

Anyone have alldata or an Intrigue FSM and could show/explain the ignition switch replacement to me?

have you checked the shifter cable yet? I put my money on that also.

I'm thinking you just need to remove and replace the ignition lock. Replacing the switch gets a lot deeper into the column. But, iirc, you need to be able to turn the key to remove the ignition lock. (?)

Car thieves just use a big ol' sheet metal screw into the key hole and pull the ignition lock out with a slide hammer. This often breaks more parts than you want to, but if you are happy to replace the old stuff with junkyard parts, it would provide a cheap, get it moving fast solution. But then you might have to work around the VATS. (Don't know how to do that, but some of the smarter electrical guys here will know how.)

Before you do any of that, here are two alternatives. 1: Call a locksmith. And, 2: Apply a strong vibration to the key as you try to turn it. I got one to turn by holding the case of a vibrating sander against the key as I tried to turn it. The vibrations allow sticking pin tumblers thousands of chances to line up, and may do the trick for you.

If the car can be shifted into neutral, try starting it there.
But I'm thinking lock cylinder also, try lock deicer with lube in it yet?

bump.

still can't get in neutral. tried checking the cable, but no go.