Mercedes Vito key not working

[catcha]

As always I return to the Pistonheads brethren for advice and assistance.

I have a 2008 Mercedes Vito and although the key unlocks it will not recognise the key when I try and start it. It keeps whirring but won’t engage and take the key. It did this several months ago so I cleaned them both with white spirit and it started no problem. This time that didn’t work. On the off chance it may be the key battery I got that changed but it still does the same.

Any ideas here?

[catcha]

It’s the steering lock causing the problem. It was locked, I moved the wheel slightly to unlock it and the key engaged straight away and started as normal.