2002 Chevy Avalanche - key won't turn. It appears locked. Turned the steering wheel far to the left and fright and nothing.

consider it unsafe until you have the noise properly diagnosed by an accredited steering specialist shop

If wheel is turned to the left or right too far it will fight u... Which ever way wheel is turned force steering wheel a lil more that way and should be able to turn key. The steering wheel lock when turned too much locks so tight you have ta fight it that lil bit more before it will let you turn the key.

Sounds like your switch is stuck far enough to keep the wheel unlocked but not far enough to lock your key in the cylinder. If it were me I would call a lock smith that can make keys from you lock cylinder as I would think your key may be worn down as keys do from time to time. Remember that yoy may have a chip in your key so after you finally get your new lock cylinder in get the truck to the dealer or lock smith, if they can program keys.

My 2003 Saturn l200 2.2 ecotec did this when the battery was dead. Put some juice on the battery, then the car came out of park, and I was able to remove the key. To the car, there's a vast difference between a sluggish battery and a dead battery. It may have enough amps to crank it, but it wont start w/out full output from the battery.

I'm assuming you mean your key wont turn in the ignition. first off check to make sure the car is in park. then what you gotta do is put in the key and put a little pressure as if turning but dont turn too hard, then even though the steering wheel is locked you will have to try to move it a little, if you parked with your tires turned then you will want to try to turn the wheel in the same direction, (even locked you should be able to move it about a half inch) you will have to turn the wheel hard but it should move enough to allow the key to turn, you may have to jiggle the key a little in the ignition but it should eventually turn, just remember not to try turning the key too hard, the extra force wont make it go but can cause the key to break. this tends to happen when you turn the car off andthe steering wheel gets locked if the wheels are turned hard in either direction. also if multiple attempts at this still dont work, try taking the key out and turning it over and trying again. Even though both sides of the key are identicle, because of wear on the key and the ignition, sometimes when the wheel locks the ignition, it will only turn if the key is put in a certain way. Hope this helps, good luck

Try turning the key while jerking the wheel left and right and depressing the brake pedal. If that won't work try another key.

Assuming the car is not running and you are trying to start it, sometimes the steering wheel is locked from the wheel thrying to turn back on itself and this won't allow the key to turn. Try turning the steering wheel all the way to the left or right then while the wheel turned, try to turn the key.

On many vehicles, the key locks the steering wheel. If the wheel is turned, it can keep the key from turning. While trying to turn the key, push the steering wheel hard to the right and if that doesn't work, push the steering wheel hard to the left.

Gary

You may have to use a little muscle here. When this happens, turning you steering wheel to the left usually will release the ignition lock cylinder so tha you can turn the key. Make sure you hold the steering wheel once you have turned it. Keep in mind, it won't turn very far. One side you turn to will feel like it hit something solid, the other side you turn to will be the unlock side.

So
Turn steering wheel and hold until you are able to turn the key. It will take a bit of effort on your part, but that should get it back going.

steering wheel is locked and wheels are turned very sharp.......turn steering as far as you can ,its gonna be tight but once you get the steering wheel turned just a little hold it and try the key...thanks and have a great day