Won't start-steering column frozen-key won't turn

[amyjodeb]

I have a 98 Sebring and it has almost 200,000 miles but still kicking! I love this car and don't want to give it up but the problem has occured that I cannot turn the ignition at all. It's completely frozen therefore, I cannot get the car started. I have tried adjusting the steering column wheel hight to try and unlock it, I have tried putting in and out of gear to see if it got stuck in the wrong gear to start it.

Back in 99 when I got the car, I had the alarm system taken out because it would go off without warning and freeze the car in the middle of the highway (like in the Nevada foothills where you don't want to be stuck!) and ever since then I have had some difficulting with the steering column. I have had the entire ingnition column replaced once already for a similar situation but in that case, the key would turn and not catch far enough to start the car up.

Any ideas or similar frustrations? I'm having it towed today but my husband refused to take it to a dealer who may actually know what the problem is for fear they will want to just sell us a new car. We are taking it to a local mechanic in town who has often said he didn't know what the problem was on this car when I have had other difficulties.

[DarkFox142]

I have a 2000 sebring convertable. And I am also having the same problem. Ive tried everything turning the stering wheel, making sure that its in park, pushing on the breaks. And nothing and I have been having this problem for the past couple of months and eventually it would turn. But I think now its done for good. So should i take it to the shop, and get the steering column replaced or is there something i can do to fix it?

[DarkFox142]

Well mine is now repaired. There were two thigs wrong with it, the tumbler was loose, and had to replace that, and im going to have to get new keys becuase the ones i have are warn down hence it not turning. All in all i think it cost 150 i think not sure.