cant turn my key sometimes in my 93 grand am

[frank_a]

Hello,I know nothing about cars.Most usually when I stick my key in the ignition[93' Grand am,4 cylinder],it simply WILL NOT turn at all...Usually I have to sit there and play with it[the key] jamming it in the ignition,wiggling it,etc etc,to get it turn so that I may crank the car[Sometimes this can literally take like anyhwere from 5 - to even 40 minutes,lol].Can some one PLEASE tell me what to do?Do I simply need another key or what?It started doing this for no apparent reason after sitting up in the yard for a few months .Also,The car dies on me when I am at stop lights,or stuck in traffic sometimes, and some times it will start right back up,and then some times It wont...It only has like 55,000 miles on it...Any one have any suggestions?I gotta make this car reliable quickly and I gotta do it cheap[if possible]!And another thing:I need some advice.Is this type of car [ being that it is a pontiac and as old as it is] really worth fixing and keeping?I got it simply because a family member sold it to me cheap because my other car got seized. ... It has a number of other problems .Arent these cars known to be troublesome?Do you guys think that I would be better off dumping this off on some one else and getting something else? Thank You-----Frank P.S,Lol,sorry for the long post...I would really appreciate it if some one would just tell me about the problem I am having turning my key..Thanks again!--

[Yismyaccountbanned]

i had a problem like this, its from dirt collecting on the end of the key and then it gets into the hole. maybe get some of that air spray stuff they use to clean out computers and so on with. but next time that happens that a hammer or something and tap it in lightly and that should work

[joker1s]

i had a friend that had the same problem and it was because the ignition switch was worn out. the only solution would be to replace it

[richtazz]

I agree with joker, it sounds like you have a bent tumbler in the ignition cylinder, and you need to replace it. As far as the stalling problem, it could be a sticking TCC solenoid. IF the car acts like a stick shift left in gear, and bucks to a stop then stalls, its a TCC.

[frank_a]

Hey guys,thanks for the tips:I really appreciate it.Apparently it isnt dirt in my ignition but Iguess it is a "broke tumbler" as some one said.Not too sure.Out of curiosity,how much would it cost for me to replace my ignition?Also,More Importantly[for right now],is there any way for me to take off the top or bottom of my ignition and crank it up with a screw driver or pliers or something until I can go get another ignition?This thing is really proving to be a pain in the ass.Lol,it took me like 2 hours today[literally] of trying off and on to turn my key,lol,Please help,I need to be able to crank this thing up.---Thanks again.---Frank

[frank_a]

Hey "Yismyaccountbanned",Lol,man I think you may have actually told me something that works.When you first told me to hit it into the ignition,I was just giving it baby taps because I was afraid I would hurt it,however I got really pissed this morning and gave it[the key] a good whack with some pliers and it worked!Afterwards,every time I tryed to restart it,I had to hit it each time but never the less it made the key turn and the car cranked up,thanks Man[however Im still betting theres something else wrong with it,lol,Im not sure this is the actual solution but its working this morning] ...Thanks again ---Frank