ignition switch
 

my key will not turn in the ignition switch. Can someone tell me what is going on. Its an aftermarket key that i have had for several years.

Just a dumb question, but did you try to wiggle the steering wheel, your car may be in lock position.

Sounds like a locked column. With key in ignition try to force turn the steering wheel. Wiggle it back and forth while trying to turn the key.

What everyone is saying about "wiggle" is basically to remove the tension that the wheel in its current position is placing on the key cylinder. Personally, I've never heard the fix as "wiggle" but apparently that is common since two other people already posted that. Wiggle implies "side to side" or "back and forth" which I don't think is what you need. I'd describe it as turning the wheel a little bit in the direction opposite the tension, to remove the tension. In other words, turn the wheel in the direction where, if you let go, it would snap back.

But the basic theory is the same. Once you have turned the wheel so that the tension is released, hold the wheel in that position and turn the key.