The steering wheel lock and the ignition cylinder are directly connected, so when one component fails, it can cause the entire system to seize up. The common symptoms are issues with turning the key, starting the vehicle, as well as locking & unlocking the steering wheel. In some cases, they can even combine into one problem that can be hard to properly identify.
Failure to lock the steering wheel and start the car has several causes, with the bad ignition switch being the most likely. However, if the steering wheel won’t unlock and you’re not able to start the car, that indicates a problem with the steering lock.
You may think both the ignition and the steering have failed, but in most cases, only one system is at fault. To help you find a definitive answer, I’ll cover as many steering & ignition problem combinations as I can. As always, you should start troubleshooting with the easiest method and work your way through the list.
Steering lock is one of the oldest vehicle anti-theft systems. By placing the ignition lock into the steering column, steering becomes dependent on the presence of the key. It’s a fairly simple, yet genius way of adding an additional layer of protection to a vehicle.
Without the steering lock, cars, especially those with manual transmission would be very easy to steal. All a thief would have to do is attach a towing cable to another car, break the window and steer the vehicle away while being towed. That’s why, despite sometimes being annoying at times, a steering wheel lock is an essential anti-theft feature.
The second reason is rarely mentioned, but it’s just as important. We’ve all been taught to turn the wheels towards the curb or the hill when parking on the incline. If by some chance the parking brake and the gear lock fail, the vehicle will make a C-shaped movement rather than accelerate downhill and cause a more serious accident. The movement force can cause the wheels to straighten out, but not if the steering lock is engaged.
When the key is out of the ignition, all you need to do is turn the steering wheel to one side or the other until you hear a click. From that point on, the steering wheel can’t be moved at all until the key is inserted and turned to the first or second position. However, problems with the steering lock could prevent you from successfully locking, or unlocking the steering wheel.
The most common issue regarding the steering wheel & ignition is the scenario where the steering wheel is locked and the key is inserted into the ignition, but it won’t turn.
The ignition key has to unlock the steering column before it can start the engine, but if the tension is too high, it won’t be able to turn. The tension can easily be relieved by moving the steering wheel left & right. Even though it’s locked, it can still move just enough for you to find the sweet spot and turn the key.
However, if your vehicle still won’t start, it means something has broken down. To rule out the ignition, you’ll have to remember how easy or difficult it was to start the car in recent history. Resistance when moving the key and mushy sensation point towards a worn ignition cylinder, but if the key operated smoothly, it’s a fault inside the steering lock.
There are several reasons why the steering wheel won’t lock, and unfortunately, none of them have an easy and cheap repair solution. The best-case scenario is that you’re not rotating the wheel far enough for the steering lock to engage, but I’m certain you’ve already tested this out.
You can find a lot of guides online telling you the problem is a broken or worn-out detent, cog, actuator, or an ECU issue. I’m neither going to burden you with a detailed explanation of these components nor pretend that I’m the expert when it comes to the steering column.
Aside from the steering and ignition lock unit, you can’t really tell what’s causing the issue. Even if you accurately identify it, it’s still better to let a professional mechanic take care of it. That being said, changing the steering and ignition lock can be done, which I’ll cover in the next section. Don’t forget to disconnect the battery and the airbag fuse to avoid activating the airbag and injuring yourself.
The exact method of changing the lock differs from vehicle to vehicle, so I’ll provide generalized steps to help you through the process. This task is generally done with the steering wheel removed, as it gives you much more room to maneuver, but it also significantly increases the complexity of the job. Whatever you’re doing, always disconnect the battery to avoid activating the airbag.
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Because the assembly contains both the steering and ignition lock, you should swap the new and old ignition lock to continue using the same key. You’ll find the steps in the next section, so just follow the ones you need.
To replace the ignition lock, you don’t need to take off the steering wheel or the lock assembly. However, you should still disconnect the battery to be safe.
The telltale signs of a faulty ignition switch are failure to start, and problems with turning the ignition key. You may experience other issues like flickering dashboard lights and symptoms similar to those of a dead battery.
The process of unlocking a steering wheel with a push start feature is the same as that of a vehicle with a conventional key – press the brake pedal if you’re driving an automatic, and turn the steering wheel left and right as you press the start button.
To break the lock with a screwdriver, you’ll need to disassemble the plastic housing surrounding it. Then, insert a screwdriver inside the lock, then hit it with a hammer to drive it in. Find the lock release hole on the assembly, and insert a thin screwdriver to depress the catch. With the lock-free to move, pull the bigger screwdriver out with the lock attached to it.
Learning how to replace the steering and ignition lock assembly will help you sort out the majority of locking issues. Having a mechanic identify the problem first isn’t a bad idea, as it can save you a lot of time and money on pointless endeavors.
Steering problems are definitely intermediate in complexity, as they’re both finicky, and somewhat dangerous to work on because of the airbag. That being said, with the right preparation and patience, you’ll be able to replace the assembly in a couple of hours at most!
These articles may help you get more useful insights:
How To Unlock Steering Wheel Without Key
How To Unlock Push To Start Honda Steering Wheel
How To Unlock The Steering Wheel On A Hyundai Sonata
