Chrysler Repair: Key wont turn on Sebring, chrysler dealer, lock cylinder

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2000 sebring, and I have been having a bit of a problem turning the key. And now I cant turn the key at all. I saw that other question got asked on different models but i was wondering if there was anything i can do to mine. I heard replacing the whole steering column and i really don't want to do that. Any help will be much appreciated.
-Brittany-
ANSWER: Hi Brittany,
There are a number of possibilities of such a problem ranging from the key lock cylinder binding up, the safety interlock cable connection to the gearshifter at that lock  cylinder, to the connection of the cable at the gear shift lever at the console. It could be that the cable is kinked and binding up so that the lock cylinder can't be turned. About the only other thing I can think of doing beyond what I advised the recent questioner is to try moving the steering column to different positions for the possibility that a change of the tilt might relieve the binding.
I have the '98 Sebring manual which describes how to adjust the interlock cable/shift lever and can xerox and mail the pages to you. It costs me 9 cents per page plus the postage to get these to you, which you can reimburse to me with stamps after you receive them.
I am certain that the entire steering column doesn't need replacement because all these possible causes relate to individual subparts that can be replaced when identified as being the cause. I suspect a mechanic with these pages can resolve the problem.
A Chrysler dealer might be able to resolve it more quickly and there may be a technical service bulletin issued by the corporation that exists. I suggest calling the dealer service department to ask the service manager whether this sort of problem is common and what has been the cause/repair in most cases, to see if they have a simple solution.
I would appreciate knowing what you learn and how this gets resolved.
Roland

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

QUESTION: Well this isnt a question but a follow up. Seeing as i dont know where else to do it. I had a locksmith come and look at the car. And he said that the tumbler needed to be replaced, and the keys have to eventually be recut or buy new ones. After replacing the tumber it works good :)And thank you for the help.

Answer
Hi Brittany,
Thanks for the report and the earlier kind evaluation of my response. I suggested it might have been simply the lock cylinder and indeed it was good that you looked at that first rather than having it towed to a dealer. A second questioner with a similar problem in also brought this issue to my attention. In the future I will urge folks to consider the lock cylinder itself before going into the more complicated interlock/cable possibilities. Perhaps there was a run of marginal lock cylinders in the 2000 model year.
Roland