Pontiac Repair: 99 sunfire ignition

Question
My son was driving my 99 sunfire when something got wedged under the shifter, when he tried forcing the car into park he broke the weld on the shifter arm. I can have the shifter rewelded but my ignition will not lock all the way back and the key can be pulled out in any position, also I don't need the key to start the vehicle. So would it fair to assume that the ignition needs to be replaced?

Answer
Hi Jeff:

I think you had ignition lock cylinder or a key. if those double sides keys are really worn out they can be removed in any position. when the key wears out the shavings from the key wind up in the cylinder and the tumbler bind/stick and that is why it will turn with out a key in it. it's a safety concern that the key can be turned that easily. as far as the key not turning all the way back to off the detent cable for the lock cylinder may be out of adjustment. it attaches to the bottom of the shifter control if the handle is bent the cable may not be adjusted properly thus not allowing the cylinder to turn all the way back to the off position. the adjustemnt of the cable is at the end where it attaches to the shifter control on the floor. good luck.