So I gather up my groceries at Wal Mart and load up the trunk. Get in the car and WTF? The ignition switch will not turn. I sat there for 10 minutes messing with it gently until finally it turned.

Has anyone ran into this? Any remedies?

 

What did you have to fiddle with? Steering wheel or the gear shifter?
Could be one or another . . an ignition going bad or the shift lock solenoid?

 

This happened to me on a f'ing date. I dont remember the exact problem but it was a issue with the steering wheel locking.

 

It was not the steering wheel or the shifter. It felt like a tumbler of something finally cleared and I could get it to turn. I tried the alarm, the shifter, the steering wheel and nothing helped, I just sat there and pulled the key in and out trying to turn it.

 

is it a aftermarket key?

 

I would say the shifter wasnt all the way in P, but you said you checked that.

 

Factory key. No problems so far today but it does leave a bit of concern on those long drives in the middle of nowhere

 

I just had that problem with my IS300. My key would not turn for a whole day. I talked to a tech at lexus he said it could be the tumbler going bad

 

That's what it felt like as soon as it freed. Have you had it happen again?

 

I was gonna say the steering wheel locked too, but you said you already checked that. Definitely keep us updated about the tumbler.

 

Have you tried squirting some lock lubricant in there? Could help, would be a quick inexpensive thing to try before replacing assembly.

 

Ya I'm thinking of that. I have not had issues with it since but at this point you never know.

 

did you lock your steering wheel?

 

Glad I read this thread because this is exactly what was wrong with my car. Even thought the steering wheel was moving freely and was not lock. I then turned it all the way to the left to lock the wheel. Then I unlock the wheel and voila the engine starts.

SRTGS300 THANKS MAN!!