Steering Column Repair: Ignition Locks Up, gm dealer, saturn vue

Question
I have a 06 Saturn Vue, and when i try to start the car the key wont turn. I've made sure the steering wheel was locked and I've even tried letting the pressure of the steering lock off the ignition cylinder and the key still wont turn. It seems like it takes over 100 tried before the key finally turns. Every place is trying to charge me $90-$100 just to diagnose and i think i might just need a new key. Am i right?

Answer
Hi Steve:

You are most likely correct, but you still may need a new ignition lock cylinder.  Saturns are notorious for the key wearing out.  When that happens the lock does not read it and causes you the problem you have been experiencing.  I would suggest you go to a nearby Saturn/GM dealer and have them punch out a new key from the VIN, rather than going to Home Depot and copying your existing  bad key (that would only duplicate the problem.)   With the new key, you will be able to tell if the lock is worn out also...it won't work much better than with the original key.  If it does work better, simply spray some WD40 into the ignition lock cylinder and you're good to go!

Good Luck
Doug