Steering Wheel Won't Unlock

[Clueless]

Hi, I was given a 97 Bonneville a while back and honestly can not afford to take it in for repairs or even troubleshooting. Last weekend I parked it in my parking lot, with the front wheels touching the curb and the steering wheel at an angle. The next day I tried to start my car and she wouldn't do a thing.
Of course it's in park and I tried the typical pull the locked wheel to the soft side and jiggle the key. Nothing. I googled for a while and decided to take the car out of park and let the front wheels roll away from the curb. Nothing. The next idea the great google gave me was to take the battery cables off and put them back on. Nothing. I did not think it was the problem was the battery because the only thing I get out of trying to start my car is the beeps if the door is open when I put the key othe ignition.
Please tell me this is a common problem problem and I really am just clueless. There is no way I can afford any repairs right now, not even replacing the ignition column or a new key. Every time I have had a locked steering wheel before on different cars I have had no problem unlocking it so I am afraid this is going to be a costly problem that has to do with the older security system.
So lastly, if there isn't a no brainer solution, is there a no cost band aid for the problem? Could I pop the plastic off the steering column and somehow manually unlock it? I am not to mechanically minded but if I can't figure out a solution myself I will not just be clueless but stranded as well...

[haro1225]

You might have to use more muscle on the wheel, being it was at an angle it might just be in an odd place. Just don't try to force the key to turn.

[Clueless]

I will be quite rough next time I go out there, or at least as much as a brute as I can be. Just to confirm, I push towards the side that has a little give?

[haro1225]

I would try either way.

[1oldman]

You might have to use more muscle on the wheel, being it was at an angle it might just be in an odd place. Just don't try to force the key to turn.

Yep! My wife has done that and just like harro sez, muscle and don't force the key. - BC

[Bugsi]

Be aware that the key switch cylinder module can fail. Mine did on my 97 Bonneville SE. But it didn't leave the column locked. I think we've all done the column lock thing before where you need to really pull hard on the steering wheel. Yes, you want to pull on it in further in the direction you have the wheels turned, as if you're trying to turn it MORE, because the normal forces on the parked car are trying really hard to pull the wheels back to straight, and you need to resist THAT force so you can turn your key.

If you need to convince yourself that the rest of the car's starting mechanism is okay past the key lock cylinder, you can remove the plastic splash shield from under the front end of the car (It's just a handful of nuts, I think 10mm?) to expose the starter and solenoid. You'll be able to see the two big shiny metal connections on the starter solenoid. Use a really big screwdriver to short those terminals (with your hand on the screwdriver's insulated handle) and if all is well, the starter will immediately start turning the engine over. (The car won't actually start without the fuel pump and ignition going, but you'll confirm the starting circuit is fine and that your problem is upstream at the key/steering column.) You pretty much already know that, but since you were playing with your battery cables, this will help convince you that it's your key cylinder/column if you're still unsure.