98 Jimmy Iginition Key Won't Come Out

I have a 98 Jimmy SLT 4X4 which has had a long going problem with the ignition key refusing to turn all the way to the off to the position allowing me to remove it. I've tried repositioning the wheels, raising and lowering the steering wheel's position, turning it off with my foot on the brake and with my foot off the brake and finally discovered if I tapped on the floor shifter that it would eventually let me turn the key entirely to the off position where I could remove the key. Now hitting on the shifter isn't working either and resulted in my battery running dead. What exactly is the cause of this? Is it that my shifter has gone bad and needs replaced or what?? Being female, I do know a little old school mechanics, but please help on this as I have no idea. BTW, a friend told me about your site and I have browsed and love it. I'm at witts end trying to figure out where to start and hoping the problem isn't generating from steering column/wiring issues. Thank you in advance for any help!

Are you using the button on the shifter and putting it in park.

Yes, I am.

It let me turn the key to the off position and remove it from the ignition AFTER the battery was dead though.

Try putting on the emergency brake and putting it in neutral see if this helps.
On a Ford they call it the transmission range sensor sometimes the contacts go bad since most people use park this goes bad first. If neutral works ask a transmission shop how much to fix it. I would estimate 1 hr. shop time and appx. $50.00 for the part. Sometimes they come loose and need tightened.
Linkage can wear and cause problems. AMCO will check for transmission codes free in the Atlanta area. You can look yourself for a loose switch on the side of the transmission. Also feel the amount of slop in the gearshift lever, and any linkage. It appears it doesn't know what gear it is in but still starts so its close but not correct.

you got that right. i don't have a garage and it's dark now so i will check it out in the morning. it does have quite a bit of slop in the movement of the shifter when it's in park so i thank you for your suggestions and will check it out and get back with you after i do. thanks again.

oh also, before it got to this point, i noticed when i stepped on the brake pedal that it made a clicking noise around the vicinity of the shifter too. my mind went racing around with crazy thoughts and i thought that maybe the brake calipers or something along those lines might be connected with the key/shifter problem too.

Use the SEARCH feature of the forum. You can learn all about the release solenoid, the switch on the shifter, and the hidden release mechanism under the steering column.

Just read this thread:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=650291