Chrysler Repair: 1998 Sebring conv ignition locked, baffeled, foot brake

Question
QUESTION: My dad replaced my ac control unit and while doing this he had the panels off of the dash and under the steering wheel. During the time that the unit was out and asked me to put in neutral to give him more room.  My key inserted and door ding because door was open but key would not turn.  Ignition is locked.  He put everything back together and still locked.  Baffeled and don't know where to look or what went wrong.

ANSWER: Try turning the steering wheel clockwise to  a 'stop' and then try the key, and turn it counter clockwise to a stop and try the key. The key/steering wheel/foot brake interlock may be the issue. Other than that it could well be that interlock cable to the gear shifter from the key lock is similarly locked up, so try the same technique with the shift lever and include the brake pedal in the routine.
There are 'adjustments' that can be made, but this may just be a temporary 'hang up'. I can see that if he had the panels off that cable may have been pinched or moved out of normal position. There are several pages in the manual that show how to remove/install this safety system if you need them. But have him examine the cable that comes to the ignition lock area to see if it has been bent or otherwise disturbed.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We have try to lock the steering wheel but it will not lock.  The gear shift is in park and will not move without car being on and foot on brake.

Answer
Hi Wanda
As I said in the revised answer, there is a cable that goes to the lock on the steering column and it has been somehow mal-adjusted. Look closely at the ignition lock cylinder where you will find a cable coming in at about 4 o'clock, and try gently manipulating that interconnection and if that doesn't free it up, check the cable along its pathway to see if it has gotten pinched. There is a multi-step process to remove install the cable but it needs to be xerox copied and mailed to you as it is too lengthy to type in and the figures are helpful as well. Let me know what you learn. I can xerox copy and postal mail the pages to you tomorrow if necessary.
Roland
PS: You can remove the interlock cable at the key lock end and then you can loosen the two screws that hold the interlock mechanism to the housing and remove it. Then try reinstalling the mechanism and the cable to see if that will free things up.