2003 saturn ion... ignition switch jammed... steer column in locked position and key will not turn and cannot attempt

Hello and thank you for your post. I am a master certified GM tech. If I can help you solve this today then I will, lets begin

if the key will not rotate at all then the cylinder will not come out of the ignition housing

it must rotate to come out or else the entire housing must be replaced

try a few things, see if you can get it to rotate

if the key looks work out, go to a GM dealer with your registration card and have a new key made

have it made using the original key code NOT a trace cut from a locksmith

tracing the old key will make a new key that doesn't work

if the key does not look worn out, try gently tapping the key into the cylinder a few times with a small hammer

see if you can un-jam the cylinder

once it turns you can either chance it and lube the cylinder with dry graphite grease (a powder you squeeze into the key hole) or you can replace the cylinder

to replace a rotating cylinder...

remove the column covers (7mm screws at bottom of column)

then turn the key to run...

if it refuses to rotate then you must replace the entire housing as follows...

disconnect the negative batt cable (in trunk under floor)

wait 30 minutes for airbags to power down

remove steering column

air bags are reomved by inserting a thin pick tool in the small hole in the side of the rear cover or the steering wheel and depressing the retainers that lock it in place

then once the airbag is removed unplug it by first removing any lock on the connector and then unplugging any connector

then unbolt the steering wheel and remove it (may require a steering wheel puller if it will not come off)

then remove the switch assembly (turn sig/headlamp/wiper)

then the housing is removed by using a sharp punch and forcing the 2 headless bolts in a counter clockwise direction until loose enough to remove with pliers

unplug ignition switch and remove the housing

be sure to tape the clockspring in place before removing the switch

that prevents it from rotating

remove tape before installing steering wheel

install the new housing with 2 new bolts, center it and tighten the bolts until they break off (shear bolts)

then install a new coded cylinder and key

then re-assemble everything you took off

good luck