GX470 - will not turn on. Ignition lock went bad? Something else?

[odessit]

Car was last driven on Sunday evening by my son - he is learning how to drive. Parked in the garage. It was pretty cold here in southern NH.

When tried to start today - ignition key would not move. Tried to wiggle steering wheel and I think now I really got it locked up. On top of it.... stupidly had the non-remote key in door lock for too long and now all windows are open. Thankfully car is in the garage.

I disconnected and re-connected battery. No help. Battery is one year old and when I press brakes - bright lights come up.

When I put a key in - it feels a bit lose. Steering wheel does not budge.

Is there anything I can do/try before towing GX to get fixed?

Local shop - recommended by my mechanic wants me to tow it and quoted $500.

List price for the ignition cylinder is $330. I am thinking about checking what dealer will quote to get it done.

Should I bite the bullet and go with OEM part/dealer? Does it matter? I would not mind having two keys - one for ignition, another for a door in emergency situation if this will be significantly less expensive.

Appreciate the group's suggestions/thoughts!

 

[Hardazclay]

Don't know if getting the front tires off the ground would help but it's worth a shot if you're at the point of towing. Do you rotate the wheel away from center when you try to turn the key? Does the steering wheel move to the driver's position when you put the key in?

 

[odessit]

steering wheel barely moves. Could it be that somehow car went "nuts" due to cold weather.... Having said that - I can lock/unlock with remote so it recognizes the keys properly.
Makes sense to disassemble a cover for steering column and see whether anything is broken? Never done it before so the pointers on how to remove lower driver panel and steering wheel cowl would be appreciated.

 

[timefs]

jack the front end up to get the wheels off the ground , then trytomove the wheels around by hand , also try moving the steering wheel when turning the key, it worked for me when i had the same issue.

 

[Hardazclay]

Your steering lock sounds bound up and when I've had this happened in the past I turned the steering wheel away from center to relieve tention on the lock and was able to turn the ignition. It took a good amount of force on the wheel but it eventually worked. I mentioned lifting the front tires because maybe it would reduce the force required.

I frankly dont think you are going to be too productive looking around for something broken but more power to you. I think it's best to be minimally invasive as possible when it comes to the airbags, clockspring, other safety equipment and frankly wiring in general.

I would see what fixes the internet offers regarding your issue on other Toyota's as I'm sure these components function very similarly regardless of model. Toyota doesn't like changing good designs.

 

[odessit]

Latest update.... Sprayed graphite lock dry lube ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-IN-ON...d-Penetrant-120074/205864344#see-more-details ) into the lock last evening. Did not help immediately.
Also... put battery on a charger - it was showing 70% (should of been good enough). Got it to 80 (maybe more - it is a cheap charger so I do not necessarily trust the numbers).
It got warmer outside
And... tried to start the car again today - wiggled the steering wheel and.... miracle happened - the car started and works as expected.
It is still a miracle to me as what happened. I had the steering wheel locked up on me in LC100, but not in this one.