Why won't the key to my 2002 Mazda Protege insert into the ignition switch?

alternator

Can someone please tell me why the key to my 2002 Mazda Protege cannot be inserted into the ignition switch ?

I've never had this happen before. My car is of very low mileage (11,000 miles)

This problem arose while a very responsible family member had the temporary loan of my Protege.

On close examination, I see that the key seems to have somehow been removed while still in the "On" position (I didn't believe that was even possible). In said position there are two lugs visible in the key hole that prevent the key from entering.

alternator

When tow truck driver arrived to pick-up the Protégé I was unfortunately not present. But, by phone, he said he turned the collar surrounding the keyhole in such a way as to allow the key to be inserted. So far things seem back to normal, though I still can't imagine what the problem was.

Mr_Shiftright

Hmm...I wonder if the vehicle was not totally in "Park" when the key was removed. Hard to say from this distance but it sounds like some problem with the Shift Interlock system. Have you tried jamming the shift lever hard into the "park" position?

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Shift lever is already solidly in Park position so cannot be moved

elias

without using key, push brake pedal to floor while applying medium torque to return ignition to 'off' position while also wiggling the shift-lever.
additionally it may be possible to use a thin-flat-blade like from a pocket-knife to gently 'unlock' the internal ignition cylinder mechanism so it is free to rotate/return to correct off/key-removed position.

alternator

Shift lever is so firmly in "Park" it will not wiggle at all. Steering wheel also will not wiggle. Locksmith is grinding all the "nodes" off a spare key to see if it can then be inserted and turned to "Off"