Steering column and ignition locked

50

Asked by boalt89 Jan 18, 2016 at 12:35 AM about the 2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The steering wheel column on my 2003 4Runner is locked.  Neither the ignition
key nor the steering wheel will turn.  The car is parked on a slope with the front
wheels angled into the curb, so the weight of the truck is likely part of the
problem.  Is there a release or other way to unlock the steering column?

6 Answers

50

Thanks -- there was almost no give in the steering wheel, so although I tried several times to free the ignition, it was stuck. When my neighbor got home and I asked for a tow (just to relieve the pressure on the front wheels) she got in and as luck would have it managed to turn the wheel enough to start the engine. I was dumbfounded but glad she got it started! S.F. ordinance requires turning the wheels into the curb when parking on a hill, but I'll be much more aware of this problem going forward. Thanks again.

3 people found this helpful.
50

Thanks again -- good advice. I noted that I had neglected to set the parking brake, which probably caused the problem given the slope. It would be useful to know whether there is a way to disable the steering column lock; there truly wasn't much give, and I was stuck.

2 people found this helpful.
30

When this happened to me at Marc's market, my wife (with Alzheimer's) was home alone. PANIC, got the warehouse manager who jiggled the key slot and wiggled the gear shift and it started. He said probably parking brake linkage wasn't fully engaged, a lady in a new Mazda said "Make sure your front wheels are always straight, otherwise you'll lock up" Some brain somewhere over-engineered this function. What's the permanent fix?

3 people found this helpful.
10

i had all the same problems and i ended up getting a new key made for the ignition with the micro chip inside and my car started right up. i guess the keys are notorious for wearing down easily and ending up not allowing the car to turn over properly

1 people found this helpful.
10

i have lost my keys and need the steering wheel unlocked?

1 people found this helpful.
10

Wiggling the steering wheel with the key in the ignition help to unlock mine! 2006 Toyota forerunner.

1 people found this helpful.

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