Cadillac Repair: 1998 catera, serries, lock cylinder

Question
Hi Bill, any info would be helpfull. When key is removed and re-inserted it will not turn like it is catching. After playing with it for an unpredictable amount of time, it will turn and start the car. We found that if we didnt remove the key it would turn. Sometimes when you turn the key to start you can hear a relay of some kind under the hood but the car wont click or start. It does that at random times. Had us stranded in parking garage for 1 hour before it decided to start. Some of the other functions of the car seem to be affected or confused. All my local sources and info suggests that my key switch is causing the sticking problem and the security mechanism is causing it to not start and possible cause of confused functions. When ignition is in run position all dash indicators seen to be working and dummy lights burn also. Can you help me? We love the car but the more i here about them the more i think they might be junk, what is your opinion,honestly?  Thanks a lot, Joe

Answer
Hi Joe, After checking at work there is a service buletin that addresses the key not turning and sticking and not comming out of the lock. There are a serries of checks that at first glance look kind of involved and confuseing at the same time especially if a shop manual isn't available. Part of the bulletin describes some adjustments while the other part says the the ignition switch or lock cylinder could be a culpret. At this point I would say that it would probably be best to take the Catera to your mechanic if he is up to following the bulletin. Otherwise have the Caddy dealer check it out and fix whats wrong. I suppose you could go to the dealer and see if they could print you a copy of the buletin to read and you could deside for yourself if you wanted to try the suggestions or just let the tech handle it.  Where I actually found the bulletin was on NAPA FIX but the dealer would have access to it also. Sorry I can't be more encourageing. Bill