Ignition is Stuck

[80and100cruisers]

The ignition is stuck on my moms 2003 cruiser. I can put the key in, but I can't turn it. The steering wheel can be turned about an inch to the left, and that is it. Toyota advises to turn the wheel and jiggle the key to try to get it to work. No luck. The tow truck driver also couldn't get it to work. We tried all 3 keys. The dealer says $900ish and ignitions are on back order, which leads me to wonder if this is a common problem? The cruiser was towed to the dealer, so the price pretty much is what it is.

I searched and found the problem where you can tun the key, and nothing happens, but with this they key refuses to turn.

Any ideas?

-Matt

 

[LonghornCruiser]

Is the steering wheel turned?

I have had this happen in the past on other cars when I parked with the steering wheel turned and the steering wheel lock engaged. Basically I just had to pull on the steering wheel really hard in the direction of the turned wheels while simultaneously turning the key. Make sure you pull on the steering wheel in the direction the wheels are turning. If this is the problem, then make sure she doesn't park with the wheels turned so far anymore.

 

[80and100cruisers]

The wheels were basically straight. The dealer asked us about that when we called for assistance. We pretty much tried every way of pulling the wheel and trying to turn they key there was.

 

[tsobrado]

This happened to my father-in-law's 100 one time. Nothing was happening as you described in your case. He tried to move the steering wheel as you did for about five minutes. Still nothing. I stepped in and tried myself for about a minute or so. It wasn't until I started trying to turn the steering wheel very hard that anything happened. Eventually, the key turned and it has not happened since.

Please keep us posted as to what you find....

 

[NMuzj100]

I would not say this is common to the 100 but it has been seen on the board before ....

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