Why is my steering wheel locked with a worn key?
In some cases, the steering wheel may become locked due to the key being worn out. When the worn key is compared to a good key the ridges will be much more worn down and the patterns may not match. Most vehicles should have more than one key.
Why is my steering wheel not unlocking the ignition?
Ignition tumblers experience a lot of mechanical movement and force over time which can cause them to fail, preventing the steering wheel from unlocking. If you find yourself with a steering wheel that won’t unlock, attempt to unlock it using the ignition before contacting a mechanic or replacing the ignition cylinder.
How do you unlock a locked steering wheel?
Unlocking it will require using the ignition key in the same way you would when starting the vehicle. Insert the key into the ignition and see if it will turn. If the key will turn and start the vehicle, the wheel will unlock with the ignition cylinder.
What to do when your steering wheel wont turn?
If the ignition cylinder has seized, spraying a small amount of electrical cleaner into the key hole may lubricate it enough to turn. Be careful not to spray too much into the key hole. A few short squirts should suffice. Once done, insert the key and turn it back and forth gently to work the lubricant in.
In some cases, the steering wheel may become locked due to the key being worn out. When the worn key is compared to a good key the ridges will be much more worn down and the patterns may not match. Most vehicles should have more than one key.
Ignition tumblers experience a lot of mechanical movement and force over time which can cause them to fail, preventing the steering wheel from unlocking. If you find yourself with a steering wheel that won’t unlock, attempt to unlock it using the ignition before contacting a mechanic or replacing the ignition cylinder.
Unlocking it will require using the ignition key in the same way you would when starting the vehicle. Insert the key into the ignition and see if it will turn. If the key will turn and start the vehicle, the wheel will unlock with the ignition cylinder.
If the ignition cylinder has seized, spraying a small amount of electrical cleaner into the key hole may lubricate it enough to turn. Be careful not to spray too much into the key hole. A few short squirts should suffice. Once done, insert the key and turn it back and forth gently to work the lubricant in.