Pontiac Repair: Ignition switch, pontiac grand am, lock cylinder

Question
I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE with a 2.4L engine. when I stopped the car and turned off the ignition, the key will turn all the way so that I can get the key out. I have tried turning the wheel it does not help,it shuts off the engine but the dash lights are still on. Could it be the lock cylinder, if so how do I get it out. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Bill:

well it it's more than likely the floor shifter is bad on this car. there is an electrical swithc in that shifter that controls a solenoid that allows the ignition key to be fulley turned back to the off position. It's called a key lock solenoid in the column. It's a pretty common problem with those older cars. The switch control the solenoid and the contacts in the switch go bad and then you can get the key out. The switch is not service d by it's self you need to get the whole shifter. The other possability is that the lock cylinder it's self is binding up and not allowing the key to be turned back all the way. The only way to telkl for sure it to take the plastic cover off the steering column and see is that solenoid is work or not and that way you can see what the issue. is. Good luck :)