The morning after my son drove our '94 945 home last night, I find that I cannot turn the key in the ignition.

Five years ago, due to a key jam (wherein I could not remove the key after a "car skating" incident), I had disconnected the cable between the ignition key lock assembly in the instrument panel and what has been described to me as the neutral safety switch.

Since that time I have, of course, been able to turn off the ignition and remove the key no matter what position the shifter is in.

So...I have no idea what quirk of fate (or issue with the key lock assembly) is now preventing the key from turning. It won't turn with any of my copies of the key. I can easily insert and remove the key with no unusual action.

I had asked a number of questions about the murky relationship between the key lock, the neutral safety switch, the linkage cable, and the park shift lock mechanism (including shifter button) five years ago. I never did get answers to them, but I'm not sure it matters now! Here they were:

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1323219/940/960/980/V90/S90/unable_remove_ignition_keyduring_road_trip.html

Many years ago, Mapleleafer wrote, "The most common reason for being unable to turn the ignition key (in most cars) is having the wheels turned when the ignition is cut, the steering lock pin engages and then the steering shaft kicks back when powesteering pressure drops. This forces the lockplate tight against the pin and makes it very difficult to turn the key next time." My son says he pulled to a stop and put the car in park and turned it off normally. (He says/he says.)

Any ideas on how to get this old girl moving? Thanks!

-- Greg