Steering Column Repair: steering wheel, tilt column, pontiac grand am

Question
my steering wheel is loose, it won't lock in place. recently my car wouldn't start. Can that be a result of my steering wheel being loose. I have a 93 pontiac grand am (v6). When I put the key in, it turned and the radio came on but the car wouldn't start. My friend told me to shake the wheel as I turned the key and it worked.

Answer
Hi Oneal:

There are a lot of questions that 'your question' commands.

1) When you say your wheel is loose, do you mean it moves from side to side like a bearing has gone bad on the shaft?...Is it a tilt column?...Do you mean it just won't lock when the key is removed?...Did it used to lock when the key was removed?

2) When you rotate the key, does it feel like it's pushing the switch all the way?...Is it spring loaded like it should be at the end of the rotation (start position)?...Does the starter engage but the car will not stay running?

3) Shaking the wheel won't help anything but damage what already may be too loose.

Please try and help me help you by clarifying your specific concerns and problems.  
Thanks
Doug