01 Impala key wont turn steering wont lock

[Dave43]

01 Impala. 3.4 Dash ignition. Can get key in but will not turn. Have tried the tapping with hammer, wd49, pressurized air, wiggling steering wheel.
What's odd is that the steering wheel is not locked and can be manually turned .
The ignition cylinder was replaced about 2 1/2 years ago with brand new from dealer and a switch from the wrecker . Key wouldn't turn that time either so cut off the switch and housing and replaced.
Can do the same this time, if needed, but am thinking car may not think its in park. Can manually turn unpowered steering wheel without the key being turned but can't move the shifter either.
Can't detach the cable from the rear of switch because I can't turn the key.
I've read that key not turning is likely cylinder but it being relatively new am concerned that because the steering wont lock that it maybe the switch as it relates to the park cable from the switch.
Or could it be the cable itself?
Either way will likely have to cut switch off but wondering if anyone else has run into the non-locking steering?

[la1]

I have a 3.4L Impala and I am almost 100% sure I can turn my steering wheel w/o having the ignition key inserted. There is shift lock, where you cant shift till the key is inserted and foot on the brake. The key switch is probably bad.

[Tech II]

Only cars with lock cylinders in the steering column, lock the wheel.....if the lock cylinder is in the dash, then the wheel will not lock.....

Outside of trying your backup key, that ignition switch has to be removed, and the PassLock module/lock cylinder has to be drilled out....

Were you having a problem turning the key prior to this, or did it happen all of a sudden? This is usually a tumbler problem in the lock cylinder....

Does your key chain have a lot of keys on it?