When I turned off the ignition in my 85 Fiero yesterday, I had a bit of difficulty removing the key from the ignition in the lock position. Sensing something wasn't right, I immediately put the key back in the ignition and tried to start the car again, but it wouldn't turn out of the lock position. No play to the switch at all, it is locked in the lock position as tight as can be. Key comes out OK, but the ignition won't turn either direction (ACC or Start).

Is this a common problem? Easy locksmith fix? Or something more involved?

First, try pulling the steering wheel left and/or right firmly while trying to turn the key. The key will not loosen anything up, so don't force the key or it will break and make the problem worse.

If that doesn't free up the lock cylinder, and the car has an automatic transmission, the column/shift lockout cable mechanism near the bottom of the column, by the ignition switch, has probably screwed up or jammed. I had this problem with a parts car column and it would not let me turn the key at all. Unbolting this cable (one or two screws holds it on) should free it back up. However, the car's shifter will no longer lock in any gear, even park, while the car is off. This is a safety risk that warrants the lock cable to be repaired or replaced once the key turning issue is resolved.

Is a Tilt Column?
Is it Auto Trans?
Either/both can cause lock/switch problems.
See my Cave, Steering, and Auto Shifter

from your post sound like tilt column rack final bent or plastic gear used in all columns stripped.

Column problems you need to tear down the column until found.
Interlock problems could be in the shifter or at the switch. Most are at the shifter like crap fell into it and can't move the cable.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 12-05-2017).]

Aaaaa.....did ya try some WD-40 first ? I had key tumbler freeze ups on the door and trunk and a simple generous bath of WD-40 freed every up.