The ignition on my 2009 Chevy Cobolt has locked up and wont turn. The stearing wheel is also locked. The key comes out but when inserted the key wont turn. How do I get my key to turn.

APPLY BRAKE AND MAKE SURE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED. IF IT IS PARKED SO THERE IS PRESSURE ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD RIGHT OR LEFT IT WILL MAKE THE KEY VERY HARD TO TURN.

Hi Keith

Sometimes the stearing lock comes on and sticks, try getting hold of the steering wheel and pull down to the left a bit at a time and at the same time try to put key in, or you can wobble the wheel as you are trying to put key in this also sometimes works...hope that helps

If the lock is stuck spray wd 40 down the key hole then try to move the wheel at the same time turn the key hope that helps.

Have you tried turning the steering wheel hard to the left or right when turning the key to make sure that the wheels werent turned when you shut it off and caused the power steering to jam against the steer lock mechanism. This will happen and the key will not turn.

could possibly be the shift lock or the key switch might need replaced but in order to do this you need someone qualified because this process is nt easy.i have repaired alot of these at the chevy dealership i work at.

If it won't turn at all it may be a stearing lock issue, If you have a spare key try it. If the stearing lock is on give the stearing wheel a wiggle back and forth as you turn the key.

hi if the problem is that the lock has locked and wont free when you try and turn the ignition on then what you should try is turning the steering wheel from left to right as hard as you can whilst you try turning the key, the problem is usually that the lock is under pressure from the tyres trying to turn the steering wheel so with this pressure on the lock the key just wont turn so you need to try and release this pressure so that the key will turn and unlock the lock.

so hold the steering wheel tight and turn it left using a bit of pressure whilst you keep trying to turn the key dont hold the key in the same possition as this wont free the lock keep turning the key on and off so that it resets and this should then allow the lock to free and you should be able to start your car, if turning the steering wheel left dont work then try right and repeat with the key on and off until the lock is off and the steering is free.

now it is going to be tight so you will need some force to turn the steering wheel as the force from the tyres will be quite alot so you will need to use force to work the steering wheel left and right whilst turning the key.

now if this still dont work then this will either mean you have a problem with the key or the actual ignition barrel has got a fault if this is the case then your going to need to get a new igniton barrel, the part the key goes into before the lock will free itself, all you need to do to remove the barrel is to remove the cover from the steering wheel surround and then you will see how the barrel comes out of its surround but dont do this until you have a new lock in case you forget how you got it apart.

the chances are the lock is just stuck and working the steering wheel left then right as far as you can will free it up if it dont then you can also try jacking the 2 front wheels off the floor like put the car on stands then try turning the steering left and right to unlock the ignition doing it this way releases the pressure from the tyres and should make it easier to unlock the steering.

let me know how you get on or if you need further assistance ok

the cylinder lock and key needs replacing.

Hi, sounds to me like you may need to adjust the ignition switch ,losen the two screws that hold it on and move it up or down til the car turns off at the same time it shounld make the steering wheel lock,hope this help's.steve

apparently steering colum lock. next time try turning your steering wheel to the left while turning the key in the ignition. don't stress the ignition. though if it isn't your stearing lock the last thing you want to do is bust up the or in come cases break your key off in there. Try turning the stearing wheel though. 99% of the time thats what it is.