bizzare ignition lock problem

[Burnera]

I dunno what's going on.
The key will not go in all the way, only half way in.
Not enough to turn the key or defeat the steering wheel lock.

The first time I fixed it by just violently turning the wheel back
and forth against the stop and the key slipped in.
It happened again today so I took most of the column cover off.
I was running late so I jut kept trying the key as I worked and
eventually it worked as normal. I didn't get to see what was up inside.

I know the car had an aftermarket alarm in the past that was then removed.

I'm wondering, could it be the key is just too worn?
Should I skip straight to getting a new ignition cylinder?

[Legacy777]

Try spraying some graphite lock lubrication in there. Some of the tumblers may just be getting stuck.

[Burnera]

I know now it's got something to do with the wiring. When the wiring was all tucked up where it should be i kept having this problem, now that it's all hanging freely i haven't had the issue since.

It used to have an anti-theft thing in there, then removed, driven for awhile, then sat in a garage for a year. The PO tried to start it and it did nothing, so it went to my mechanic friend, i bought it from them.
The wiring in the steering column was hacked, and grounding/not grounding. Jiggle the wires and it fires right up.
Mechanic friends employee 'fixed it' but i don't really trust the kids work with the sparky stuff.
Haven't had the time to dig in there and clean up all the connections.
a schematic with color labels would be helpful.

[cj91legss]

If you go to http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/bdnew/ve ... grams.aspx and on the left hand column select vehicle wiring diagrams, click your make, model, and year. If you truly suspect the wiring in the ignition is the problem, this diagram will tell you exactly which wires to look at. For instance, the starter wire (Blue/Red) Is cut when an alarm is installed and both ends are connected to the alarm brain or a relay for the "Starter Kill" effect.

[Burnera]

thanks!

[cj91legss]

No problem, hope ya get it figured out. If you need a new ignition, let me know. I have 1 with a key sitting in a box in my garage.

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