turning the key on the ignition not doing ANYTHING at all

[E30_80Y]

Yesterday out here in florida it was very cold, around 30 degrees F. I know you northerners find that laughable, but it was cold! lol

I recently put the car back together from a head gasket replacement and the car was running fine, until last night. I left work, it was around 55degrees out and the car started up fine, left home to go to the gym, started up fine, then left the gym to go to walmart @ around 10pm and it is now 30degrees out. car started up fine, THEN after shopping at walmart i get back in the car turn the key to start the car.....NOTHING... no movement or anything. key felt mushy. it feels as if the key wont even turn to power on position.

I had to get the car towed to my house, searched and people said to hit the opposite side of the ignition key as i'm holding the key as if i was starting the car, but still nothing.

so question is, WHAT CAN IT BEEEE!! lol could it just be the ignition switch that is bad?

[E30_80Y]

Also wanted to add, when i turn the key and dont hold it, the steering will lock up. i assume that means that the key is not turning all the way to ON position or staying into ON position, cuz if it was the steering wouldn't lock back up.

[E30_80Y]

updates: i tried removing my steering wheel so i can remove those covers over the steering column. no success because the key wont turn all the way to unlock the steering. i mean it unlocks the turning of the steering wheel but not the removing of the steering.

At this point i think i will have to break those covers or drill the top of the steering column, where the lock is.

[Dude]

Battery?

[jlevie]

If the key will unlock the steering wheel so that the wheel will turn, it should come off. You might have to hold the key in the position that allows the wheel to turn.

[E30_80Y]

it turns out that the locking mechanism was kinda stuck, so i had to pry and slide a screw driver behind the steering wheel to remove the top two screws holding the cover around the steering column. it was impossible to turn the key far enough to unlatch that steering lock. greased up the locking mechanism and problem solved.