Key was hard to turn now wont start

On a 1993 formula firebird the key was getting hard to turn, but if you wiggled it it would finally turn free and start the car until one day it just stopped working completely. It was suggested that the ignition switch was the problem but after having the ignition switch replaced it still refused to start. :confused: Is there anything on these cars that this happens to alot, and if so do you have pictures of it?

Thanks

I'm not sure i understand exactly what you're saying but, does the security light flash? if it does hit the resistor in the key with a little rubbing alcohol, sometimes thats enough to clear it up.

Well the key was phisicly hard to turn, almost like the steering wheel was locked but it wasnt. With a little work it would finally turn to the start position. But it eventually stopped turning at all and the car just wouldnt start. So we replaced the Ignition lock cylinder so we had a whole new set of keys for the ignition. But evidently that wasnt the problem. Is there somthing further into the steering collumn that makes it hard or impossible to turn the key?

It sounds like the same thing my 94 camaro did. My ingnition switch on the column went bad (the switch that actually starts the car). Befor you go taking anything apart push your brake pedal and turn your steering wheel while your trying to turn the key. The switch is a pain to change but its very possible that one of the contacts inside the switch might have gotten jammed up. Make sure to disconnect the battery. To change it you have to remove the column mounting bolts under the carpet where to column meets to fire wall then take the lower panel off under the column and remove the 2 nuts holding the column up, then you will see the switch on top of the column, it is a cream white color with wires pugged into it. There are two tiny 7 or 8mm screws holding it on and one tiny phillips screw. Hope this helps you with your problem. Oh also the switch is only about $25-35.

Jeremy

You said in your first post that you replaced the ignition switch, then later you said it was the ignition lock. This sure sounds like an ignition switch problem to me, that's the electrical part that's on the very top of the steering column that you have to lower the whole steering column to get access to. I had the same problem with my car.

Yes sorry for the confuesion to my knowledge the only part replaced so far was the actual ignition lock assembly...or the part that receives the key and does the phyisical turning. thanks for the help ill have to tinker with it and see about the ignition swith on the column

There's a rod that goes from the ignition key to the ignition switch... The rod moves with the key at the switch and allows it to make contacts at different points along the switch... It's possible the rod is binding.. But probably you'll need to replace the switch... I replaced mine using Shoebox's site: http://shbox.com/ignsw/ign_switch_repl.html I didn't remove my column.. I did it in the car and just dropped it.. Like mention above... It's tight getting the bolts for the switch off, but it can be done.

I'm having the same problem, and my car is throwing a code that the key isn't turning the computer on so the car can start. The thing is, the car turns over, just won't fire....

If the key isn't working right, does the car turn over, or not at all?

I need an answer ASAP~!

I'm having the same problem, and my car is throwing a code that the key isn't turning the computer on so the car can start. The thing is, the car turns over, just won't fire....

If the key isn't working right, does the car turn over, or not at all?

Sounds like the ignition switch is bad, you're getting accessory and start, but no ignition output from the switch. Your PCM is on ignition power, as are all the sensors and modules needed for the engine to run.

The resistor in your key might be off. If you drop your keys it can jar it. I didn't think anything of just throwing my keys down when I came home, and one day out of the blew, it wouldn't work. Turned out the key sent off a different OHM to the ignition. I think there are 15 different ohm settings. SO my new ignition switch, key, and installation was $150 from a locksmith around 12 midnight.