steering wheel locked

[4edo]

Hello all,

I lent my 94 tlc to a good friend while I was out of town. When I came back, she told me that there had been a problem. The key would physically not turn and the steering wheel was locked. From what I gather it happened from nothing. I have an after market remote starter which works but the key still won't turn and the steering wheel is still locked. I sprayed some WD40 into the ignition key slot but still the key won't turn. I tried undoing the battery cables to see if something electrical might might shake loose but no go. Anyone ever had this happen to them ?

thanks a bunch

 

[bruff]

Wiggle the steering wheel fairly robustly while gently turning the key in the ignition. I have had this similar thing happen on a couple of vehicles and this works every time.

 

[4edo]

yes - that was it...

I have one thing to say - you are a ROCK STAR. The key piece of information was to wiggle the steering wheel "fairly robustly". Your trick is worthy of a stellar position in the 80 series FAQ.

many thanks.

 

[Kernal]

If you shut off the vehicle while the steering wheel is turned far left or right the next time you go to start it you have to first turn the steering wheel more in the same direction the wheels are pointing in order to relieve pressure on a locking mechanism inside the steering column, then turn the key to On.

 

[4edo]

This is also great information. As it happens, my friend was parallel parking when this problem happened so what you're describing about where the steering wheel was when the vehicle was turned off is probably what happened. This site rocks.

 

[darwink1]

Get a new key cut? Mine did that when the key got really worn.

D

 

[firetruck41]

This is a common feature in most (all?) modern vehicles. An anti-theft thing, I think...