Key won't turn in ignition

What year/make/model car is it? Where is the shifter located, basically? It may not be the tumbler. The lock itself may be due to the steering wheel. It happens sometimes. Is the steering wheel locked into position, or can you still turn it? If it is too locked, try to unlock the wheel, by taking shifter out of park and back in, then try turning the steering wheel until it unlocks. When it does, the key should turn. I can give a better answer if I knew what car we're working with.

Have you tried turning the steering wheel back & forth?Even if its locked,you can still move it 1-2" which is usually enough to get the ignition key out.You can also try to squirt some graphite down into the ignition key lock cylinder, between the ignition key and lock cylinder key slot.Graphite is a powdered metal lubricant that comes in a small tube or plastic container. You can also try turning the key on,putting the transmission in neutral, rocking the car a little,put it back in park then try extracting the key.

Try puffing some powder graphite into the key slot and inserting and removing the key several times. The tumbler pins get dry and jam in the holes and will not move so the graphite is the recommended lubricant for locks. Be careful as it leaves black residue that has to be cleaned with a wet clean rag.

First things first, if you can not turn the key lock past ACC you are not doing anything with the starter. The problem with the lock must be in the lock or the linkage connected to it.
The price for the starter may be fair depending on where it is coming from.
You have to be able to turn the key to the start position before anything happens with the starter.

YOU MAY HAVE A FAULTY ITERLOCK SWITCH ON BRAKE PEDLE TO IGNITION CAPSULE, CHECK FOR A SHORT OR OPEN CURCIT

Saturn and Chevrolet have problems with their ignition locks so much to the point that I'm surprised there wasn't a recall. Try to push/pul the key in and out while you try turning it. If you have success, try some graphite powder in the lock mechanism; it might help for the future. If you are successful and the graphite helps smooth the lock, consider yourself lucky. If not, be prepared to get a new lock.

The ignition lock cylinder has probably failed. It includes a radio sensor which reads a chip in the body of the original key and won't start if it can't see the chip. The pins inside the lock wear over time until they no longer align correctly to release the lock. The wal-mart key may have also left additional debris in the lock that keeps it from turning. If you can take the key out, put powdered graphite into the keyhole and work it in by moving the key in and out several times. The graphite often helps to fill the small gaps created by the pins wearing so that the key can be turned. Also try jiggling the steering wheel, spraying wd40 into the lock, or lightly tapping the key into the lock with a small hammer to free it up. If you must get towed, the tow truck should be able to lift the vehicle by the front end for towing. The rear wheels will turn freely as long as the parking brake is not on.

spray ignition with graphite

spray lock lubricant into lock

you ignition locked up, take some wd-40 and spray it into the ignition hole, let it sit for 2 mins and do it again, then immediatly stick the key in and start working the ignition back and foirth.....

this will free up what ever is locked up....