I have a dodge caravan 2002 and the key won't turn. It has done this in the past and with a few taps with a rubber mallet, it would work. Now its not working at all! Do I need to replace the key lock cylinder or the ignition switch? I am a single mother of 2 and my ex husband stole and sold my new car, so I have had to make several repairs on my older van... by myself because its cheaper, so any help on what's the best best would be appreciated!

My car does that every now and then. I don't know what causes it. It's like everything gets stuck. So far, if I release the parking break and wiggle the steering wheel (which is pretty much locked in place when my car does this), my key will turn. Have you tried that yet?

Spray the key and locking mechanism with WD-40, rotate the steering wheel to take the pressure off the mechanism, and the key should turn.

my car does that every now and then. i don't know what causes it. it's like everything gets stuck. so far, if i release the parking break and wiggle the steering wheel (which is pretty much locked in place when my car does this), my key will turn. have you tried that yet?

Yeah, I have tried that. Everything I read on the internet says that this is a common problem for dodge's, and says to replace the ignition switch or the key lock, I am just not sure which, and I really can't afford to do both. Maybe I am not looking on the net in the right places, but I just can't find anything that tells you which to replace!
Thank you though!

Spray the key and locking mechanism with WD-40, rotate the steering wheel to take the pressure off the mechanism, and the key should turn.

I have tried spraying it too, to no avail
Thank you though!

Do you have another key you can try?

Bang it while turning the key works