can't turn ignition swich to "start" position, steering wheel locked

[nmostofi]

went out this morning to start my truck (1993 FZJ80) and the steering wheel is locked and I cant' seem to turn the key to the start position. the manual says to rotate the steering wheel back and forth while trying to start the vehicle, I've tried for like an hour with no luck. anyone have any ideas. Could the ignition switch have gone bad. I need to use the truck tomorrow please help

 

[alkaline747trio]

Use some elbow grease and turn the wheel which ever way it will go...if you're close to full lock it will take some effort.

 

[Aussie]

Use some elbow grease and turn the wheel which ever way it will go...if you're close to full lock it will take some effort.

Exactly, then try and turn key, it should release!

 

[tomatopants]

If you have an automatic, you might not have the shift lever completely in park. That happens to me sometimes, and I have to push the lever forwards a little bit and then turn the key a little bit, usually to accesory, and then turn it off.

 

[nmostofi]

Thanks guys Mud comes through again Just went outside and had the girlfriend start the truck while I turned the wheel hard in the direction they were facing. The lock released and the ignition went to start Thanks again for eveyones help.

 

[Aussie]

Sweet, glad it all worked out for ya!

 

[gomiggity]

I have this exact same problem and have tried with no success to get the key to turn. I tried turning the wheel as far as I can to get it unlocked but failed to do so.

The car had to be towed to our house and the windows are stuck down as a result. If I get elbow grease to help turn the wheel, where exactly would I apply it?

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

[tomatopants]

I have this exact same problem and have tried with no success to get the key to turn. I tried turning the wheel as far as I can to get it unlocked but failed to do so.

The car had to be towed to our house and the windows are stuck down as a result. If I get elbow grease to help turn the wheel, where exactly would I apply it?

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.

Apply it to the steering wheel.

Elbow grease meaning turning the wheel real hard, not a substance called elbow grease. That's just silly. ;p

 

[CJF]

Elbow grease...


Another thought: Sometimes the original keys simply wear out; got another one you can try?

Also: Spray some WD-40 in the lock cylinder...

 

[tomatopants]

Elbow grease...


Another thought: Sometimes the original keys simply wear out; got another one you can try?

Also: Spray some WD-40 in the lock cylinder...

I did that on my door locks when they started sticking and it worked like a charm. Get the can with the built in straw.

 

[firetruck41]

Double check that it is in park, maybe wiggle the shift lever. IIRC, it will not start unless it is in "P", (or thinks it is in "P", the interlock could be defective).

 

[wingman358]

White lithium grease works best for lubricating locks. I wouldn't spray WD-40 into an electronic ignition, it might make your problems worse!

 

[Brian Macgyver]

I have problems every now and then that have not to do with the steering lock. The lock tumblers are just getting sticky. I put the key in all the way and it will not turn. I move it in and out a hair and it is good. Lube is good, but is not a total cure. I lube it often, but it still sticks every few months, just seldom enough that I forget in between. Wiggle the key a bit and it is OK.

 

[gomiggity]

Thanks guys. I'm still trying but no luck.

I figured elbow grease wasn't a substance but I'm pretty desperate. I'll keep you posted on how I get it worked out.

 

[tomatopants]

Thanks guys. I'm still trying but no luck.

I figured elbow grease wasn't a substance but I'm pretty desperate. I'll keep you posted on how I get it worked out.

I don't know if it will work or not, cause I just thought of it right now. Have you used the tilt on the wheel recently? It might not be locked back into place, and even if it is locked, maybe adjusting it up or down will help.


Maybe....


Hopefully....

 

[Grench]

Thanks guys. I'm still trying but no luck.

I figured elbow grease wasn't a substance but I'm pretty desperate. I'll keep you posted on how I get it worked out.

This is one quick check, but by no means the only thing that can stop an engine from starting.

Did you bypass the shifter lockout?

There is a little 1/2" plastic cover just forward and left of the shifter. That or a hole where someone has done this before.

Remove the little plastic cover with a precision screwdriver.

Drop the screwdriver down into the hole. It will push a button and release the shifter-no start part (interconnect).

Have your foot on the brake when you try it.

 

[gomiggity]

This is one quick check, but by no means the only thing that can stop an engine from starting.

Did you bypass the shifter lockout?

There is a little 1/2" plastic cover just forward and left of the shifter. That or a hole where someone has done this before.

Remove the little plastic cover with a precision screwdriver.

Drop the screwdriver down into the hole. It will push a button and release the shifter-no start part (interconnect).

Have your foot on the brake when you try it.

Is the release a large white plastic button? I tried but didn't get anything, but I'll give it another go. The whole thing is frustrating for sure.

I've begun removing pieces of the dash around the steering wheel to get a better look at the ignition. Hopefully it won't come to the point where I need a new one.

 

[Grench]

Is the release a large white plastic button? I tried but didn't get anything, but I'll give it another go. The whole thing is frustrating for sure.

I've begun removing pieces of the dash around the steering wheel to get a better look at the ignition. Hopefully it won't come to the point where I need a new one.

Does the key turn at all?

Are the front wheels bumped up against anything that would prevent you from or apply force to the steering wheel?

Push the button on the side of the shifter, shift it down through the gears to the bottom, then up 3 to Neutral. Will it start then?

Is the steering wheel 'locked'?

 

[corsair23]

Is the release a large white plastic button? I tried but didn't get anything, but I'll give it another go. The whole thing is frustrating for sure.

IIRC the "large white plastic" piece is actually the guide leading to the "button". If you stick something down in there that is too big for the hole in the guide it will knock the guide out. BTDT

IIRC the hole in the guide is not in the center but more on the DS of the guide. A phillips head screwdriver (medium size whatever that would be) seems to be the best fit. I tried a pen (too lazy to go to the tool box ) and popped that guide right out. Needless to say my being lazy caused me more time taking off the center console to put the guide back in than just walking to the dang tool box

 

[gomiggity]

Issue resolved!!

I had been having trouble with my door locks and went to the dealer three weeks ago to have them cut me a new key using the VIN. Their key didn't work and I had them do it for me twice, with no luck.

Well, it turns out both of the keys I was using had finally been rejected by the ignition lock. I called a locksmith today and showed him my old keys and the dealer key and he cut me a new key that solved all of my problems. All this time thinking I had a mechanical problem with the steering and ignition locks was just a bad key.

He used the dealer key to get the cut and got me a new set that works perfectly!! He says the dealer's key cutter must not be calibrated properly. Damn them!!