2003 XC 70 key won't turn in the ignition at all.

[Blacklab467]

This morning after driving to the dog park, returning to my car the key will not move in the ignition at all. I walked home and grabbed the second set of keys and a lighter to heat the key up, a can of Brakleen and tried everything from wiggling the wheel and shifter and brakes, tilting and telescoping the column and no movement whatsoever. I know this is a common problem, I am currently researching how to fix it on the internet but thought I'd reach out to anyone with a similar problem and what the fix is. It's not very cold here so I'm leaning toward something being broken in the cylinder, the steering lock works and is locked right now.
Thanks

[cn90]

I wrote a detail DIY removing the bottom plate in forum.

[volvolugnut]

Here is the massive discussion of 'key won't turn'
viewtopic.php?t=67531

It is a common problem for higher mileage P2 Volvos. Most people seem to remove the anti theft feature and don't replace all the switch.

volvolugnut

[cn90]

Well,

The "Steering Lock" feature is kind of old-school.
If thieves want to steal a car, they flat-bed or whatever they do to steal anyway.
There are so many cars stolen every year by thieves w/o the key.

Another thing I learned from that DIY was that someone said the "Steering Lock" was
supposed to lock the wheels when you purposedly turn the wheels against the curb
to prevent cars from rolling, in the event that the Trans lock and/or parking brake fails.

[Blacklab467]

I'm just got the car home after removing the plastic column trim and tapping on the lock cylinder and eventually the key turned and everything seemed ok so I drove home. I want to emphasize; my key was stuck in "0" position before. I wonder if removing the plate is appropriate for this condition? I really don't care about the steering wheel lock.

[cn90]

Yes.

[Blacklab467]

Thanks for your help! I sprayed some brakleen in there and blow dried it and then some dry graphite lubricant and removed that bottom plate. It seems to be good now.
I didn't mention that I got a new key this summer and it was new and sharp edged and was always a bit notchy compared to the old key. I wonder if it had worn out the tumblers to some extent causing this failure?
I'm going to go to the Auto Wreckers where I know of a car with the keys in the ignition and take out the ignition assembly and dissect it and find out just what keeps that key in the 0 position and won't move. I have a suspicion that the lock cylinder is worn out also. If this is the case, I need to find a permanent solution. I'm in the mountains alone often and cannot have this happen again.

[cn90]

No, the tumblers never wear.
The fault was small little pieces that broke and blocked the key from rotating.
You already solved the problem permanently.
Do not overthink it.

[Krons]

I’ve proactively removed the plate on my P2s, I think every one had a piece of broken pot metal in there waiting to jamb up.

I’ve had tumblers get sticky, I just use a dry spray (no oil based) in there to free things up. Push key in, remove and wipe and you’ll pull a lot of gunk out of there.

[Blacklab467]

Curious to know what that broken piece is or where it comes from.