What to do if the steering wheel is locked and won’t turn?
- September 5, 2022
- 0
A suddenly locked steering wheel is a pretty standard situation for car owners. Some do not panic and look for a way out. Others may call a tow
A suddenly locked steering wheel is a pretty standard situation for car owners. Some do not panic and look for a way out. Others may call a tow truck out of fear and send the car in for service. However, the advice of professionals will come in handy for both of them, who will tell you what to do if the “steering wheel” is jammed and you cannot unlock it.
The steering wheel of every car has a normal lock. You turn off the ignition, take the key out of the lock, turn the steering wheel a bit, and then the magic happens – the steering wheel falls into a trap preventing it from turning. This is the normal operation of a regular blocker, slowing down the process of stealing your car. You can return the steering wheel to working condition by inserting the key and turning it.
However, there are situations where everything does not go according to plan – despite the standard unlocking procedure, the steering wheel does not move, preventing the driver from driving the car. You frantically pull the steering wheel and try in vain to turn the key. But nothing comes out. What to do in this case?
As a character with a propeller on his back used to say, “Calm down, just calm down.” And indeed: in order not to break firewood or anything else in the car, you must stop being nervous and using violence. You can’t use it anywhere in a car, in principle, if you know how to work with your head.
So the steering wheel does not unlock and the key in the ignition does not turn to the unlocked position. Admit it, familiar situation? Yes of course! If it didn’t happen to everyone, it did happen to many drivers. But why is this happening?
The reasons are banal. For example, the ignition lock cylinder is worn, clogged or damaged. Another reason is that the driver may not have fully inserted the key into the ignition. Some cars with “automatic” in parking mode may have a steering column lock. The limit switch in the gearbox may also not work properly.
Bad luck, manufacturing defects also occur. In addition to the cause of blocker failure, a wrench can wear out over time. In cold weather, there is a risk of condensate freezing on the mechanism (therefore, the ignition lock cylinder needs to be lubricated from time to time). But usually the reason is simple: they have not inserted the key to the end, or there is a slight wear on the lock cylinder.
To find out what the problem really is and return the steering wheel to working condition, you do not need to call the master, and most importantly take the car to the service. It is enough to insert the key into the ignition until the end and press a little. Further, without relieving the pressure, it is necessary to shake the steering wheel back and forth. In this case, it is necessary to try to turn the key, but without strong pressure, so as not to break it. Most likely, such manipulations will lead to the desired result and give the steering wheel freedom.
If this has not happened, then you should try to remove the “automatic” box from the “P” mode and select, for example, neutral. On some machines, the key can only be turned to this position of the gearbox selector.
If it is a blockage, WD-40 can be used to clean the larvae. Yes, only a deaf person has never heard of this remedy for anything and everything. When it is cold outside, and the mechanism is wedged by condensate frozen in it, it is necessary to warm it up. You can spray a warm “Vedashka” into the larva or heat the key itself before plugging it into the ignition. A portable hair dryer is also a good idea.
If the cause was an uneven key, it should be corrected. A hammer and not a strong tapping on the blade of a wrench laid on a flat metal surface will perfectly help with this. But if the key is cracked and has strong signs of wear, then it is better not to use it, but to exchange it for a new one.
In other cases, when the electronics are to blame, the locking mechanism is worn out, or there are problems with the solenoid, limit switch, etc., it is better to really contact the service.
Do you know what to do if the steering wheel and brake pedal “knock” when braking? If not, you’re here.
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
The steering wheel of every car has a normal lock. You turn off the ignition, take the key out of the lock, turn the steering wheel a bit, and then the magic happens – the steering wheel falls into a trap preventing it from turning. This is the normal operation of a regular blocker, slowing down the process of stealing your car. You can return the steering wheel to working condition by inserting the key and turning it.
However, there are situations where everything does not go according to plan – despite the standard unlocking procedure, the steering wheel does not move, preventing the driver from driving the car. You frantically pull the steering wheel and try in vain to turn the key. But nothing comes out. What to do in this case?
As a character with a propeller on his back used to say, “Calm down, just calm down.” And indeed: in order not to break firewood or anything else in the car, you must stop being nervous and using violence. You can’t use it anywhere in a car, in principle, if you know how to work with your head.
So the steering wheel does not unlock and the key in the ignition does not turn to the unlocked position. Admit it, familiar situation? Yes of course! If it didn’t happen to everyone, it did happen to many drivers. But why is this happening?
The reasons are banal. For example, the ignition lock cylinder is worn, clogged or damaged. Another reason is that the driver may not have fully inserted the key into the ignition. Some cars with “automatic” in parking mode may have a steering column lock. The limit switch in the gearbox may also not work properly.
Bad luck, manufacturing defects also occur. In addition to the cause of blocker failure, a wrench can wear out over time. In cold weather, there is a risk of condensate freezing on the mechanism (therefore, the ignition lock cylinder needs to be lubricated from time to time). But usually the reason is simple: they have not inserted the key to the end, or there is a slight wear on the lock cylinder.
To find out what the problem really is and return the steering wheel to working condition, you do not need to call the master, and most importantly take the car to the service. It is enough to insert the key into the ignition until the end and press a little. Further, without relieving the pressure, it is necessary to shake the steering wheel back and forth. In this case, it is necessary to try to turn the key, but without strong pressure, so as not to break it. Most likely, such manipulations will lead to the desired result and give the steering wheel freedom.
If this has not happened, then you should try to remove the “automatic” box from the “P” mode and select, for example, neutral. On some machines, the key can only be turned to this position of the gearbox selector.
If it is a blockage, WD-40 can be used to clean the larvae. Yes, only a deaf person has never heard of this remedy for anything and everything. When it is cold outside, and the mechanism is wedged by condensate frozen in it, it is necessary to warm it up. You can spray a warm “Vedashka” into the larva or heat the key itself before plugging it into the ignition. A portable hair dryer is also a good idea.
If the cause was an uneven key, it should be corrected. A hammer and not strongly tapping the blade of a wrench laid on a flat metal surface will help with this. But if the key is cracked and has strong signs of wear, then it is better not to use it, but to exchange it for a new one.
In other cases, when the electronics are to blame, the locking mechanism is worn out, or there are problems with the solenoid, limit switch, etc., it is better to really contact the service.
Do you know what to do if the steering wheel and brake pedal “knock” when braking? If not, you’re here.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
