2003 Ford Focus Logo
Posted on Nov 01, 2008
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Steering column locked

Key won't turn in the steering column to start the car

  • Anonymous Nov 06, 2008

    The same thing with my car but you cant turn the wheel because the steering wheel is locked.

  • pauliechips Nov 06, 2008

    the key wont turn to start the car.

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  • Posted on Jan 07, 2009
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Temporary solution is to put the key in the ignition and tap on the end that attaches to the ring vdery gently with something like a pocket knife. this allows the pin to fall into place and work better. try to keep the key in an unbound... not against either the clockwise limit or counterclockwise limit.... as you are tapping. if this works, lubricate the lock and get it to a locksmith before it quits working all together and the lock needs to be drilled

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  • Posted on Nov 05, 2008
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Turn the steering wheel (it may take a lot of force) a bit either way while trying to turn the key.  It's probably just that the wheel's in the wrong position.

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  • Ford Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 02, 2008
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MOST LIKELY ONE OF THE LOCK PINS HAS STUCK, YOU CAM TRY SPRAYING SOMETHING LIKE WD40 INTO THE LOCK, BUT IN MOST CASES A NEW KEY CYLINDER IS REQUIRED

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Dec 23, 2008

SOURCE: 1998 Wranger Ignition Key Stuck / Steering Column Locked

I have had this same problem on 4 of my Jeeps. A locksmith provided me with two answers.
This key thing happens to me at least once a week.
It is a common problem with Jeeps. 1998 Wrangler, 2007 Cherokee and two 2000 Cherokees all had the issue.


1. Replace the tumbler assembly. $150. USD (Not!)
2. Place the key in the ignition, smartly impact the key on the **** end, end that is sticking out of the ignition. (Harder is not better) strike straight on as to not break the key off. 4 or 5 strikes should fix the problem every time.

FYI - flooding the switch with WD-40 will not fix the issue, it is a tumbler problem.

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Jason Morris

  • 362 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2009

SOURCE: key fits into ignition but will not turn

Hi arthajordan, I will take a shot at this one, if you look at your front wheels they are probably turned, If they are turned you need to turn the steering wheel as much as you can, I realize you have wiggled the wheel and the column is locked but you should be able to turn it a little. With it turned and pressure from you turning the wheel try to turn the key. This is just a shot in the dark but I think it will work. Let me know if this helps and please rate this solution. lone99star

Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jason_77a19afa8d604dee

dennymulford

Dennis Mulford

  • 1055 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 15, 2009

SOURCE: steering column won't lock

shifting cable for the tranny is out of adjusment

Anonymous

  • 69 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 31, 2009

SOURCE: ignition key won t turn. steering wheel locked

the key may be worn badly or the ignition needs to be replaced.

Anonymous

  • 22 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 09, 2010

SOURCE: steering column locked

When you get the key into the ignition, Try turning the wheel to one side or the other as you turn the key. Some vehicle's steering columns will "lock" if the wheel is turned to tightly when the ignition gets turned off. Hope that helps.

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1answer

2007 Saturn Vue steering wheel is locked and when key is in the ignintion will not turn over.

steering locked engine running not? , not told that key fact.
the key must turn, jiggling steering can help the key too turn.
we do not know what turn over means, the word turns has zero meaning .(accurate)
the starter turns, the crank shaft spins and turns and the engine turns and starts and runs and stays running this good serial event
or the KEY is stuck and key will not turn OVER from OFF TO , RUN and to START,


some call turns over as runs. 3 ways to get the mean wrong

so learn to say I can crank it ok but the engine fails to start and run.
I guess (wild) the starter is DEAD< silent, clicks or chatters.>?
that it> no GRRRRRRGRRRRR sound from a happy starter motor?

starter dead or not, is question 1./
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Need help with ignition switch on 2002 grand prix..keys stays in got it out try it again and sticks in again.

Does the vehicle start an run ?Can you turn the key to the off position ? And the key won't come out ? Did you try some key graphite ( lube ) ? New lock cylinder need maybe . Or is it a problem with
Steering Column Electric Park Lock
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor-mounted console gear shifter, an added safety feature is an steering column electric park lock system in the steering column. The steering column electric park lock system prevents the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a steering column electric park lock and a park position switch, that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The steering column electric park lock contains a spring-loaded pin that mechanically prevents the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the Lock position when the transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost or the transmission is not in the Park position, the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the Lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.
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Steering column won't unlock

The front wheels are at a angle putting pressure on the steering lock , rock the steering wheel from side to side while turning the key.
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KEY WON'T TURN ON THE IGNITION

Hi Aldene, Your vehicle seems too young to have a problem with a worn key so I suggest that the problem was related to the position of the steering wheel and the tongue of the locking mechanism. Sometimes when the lock engages it is under the load of the weight of the front wheels, if they are not in the straight ahead position. A small movement of the steering wheel is usually enough to release the steering lock. Regards John
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2003 honda accord/ key wont turn,steering wheel is locked

To fix your problem, you have to turn the steering wheel either to the left or right as much as you can, then try to turn the key in the ignition. When the steering wheel locks, the key won't turn. By manually holding the steering wheel out of the lock position, the key will turn again and you're steering column will be back to normal.
1helpful
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Key stuck in ignition but it will turn, and steering column won't lock and car won't start.

you most likely have a bad key switch cylinder assembly. you can try to spray wd40 solvent into the switch before you have the switch replaced,but sometimes it's a switch replacement that repairs the problem. have you inspected your ignition key to look for damage to the key itself? try a spare key to make sure it's the key,and not the key switch. you can also try turning the key while turning the steering wheel at the same time to get the key to work.sometimes the switch locks when parked in a bind,such as on a hill,or against a curb and so on. try this 1st before you have the ignition switch replaced. AAA auto club,if you're a member covers part of the replacement costs for a replacement switch also. you may have coverage through a cell phone also.one more thing to try, if you have a tilt steering column,try to reposition the steering wheel to see if you can get the key to turn. remember never force it enough to break your key off into the switch! thank you for choosing fixya.com!
1helpful
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The car will turn over but won`t start but if I turn the key on and jump the starter it starts

Sounds like the ignition switch has gone kaput. The ignition switch come in two pieces, an electrical switch and a mechanical switch.

The switch electrical portion can be replaced separatly from the mechanical portion (tumbler that the key engages). It is not a real difficult repair but requires some mechanical knowlege of how the column is assembled.

This can be verified with electrical test equipment prior to buying a new electrical switch.
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Install a Ignition lock cylinder 1997 Pontiac Grand Am

  • Ignition Removal Instructions
  • Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
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  • Remove the upper and lower shrouds. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers - Disassemble - Off Vehicle or Steering Column Trim Covers - Disassemble - Off Vehicle .
  • Put the key in the steering column lock cylinder set (1).

  • Turn the key to the "START" position.
  • Install a 1/16 allen wrench (2) into the hole on top of the lock module assembly in order to release the steering column lock cylinderset retaining pin.
  • Turn the steering column lock cylinder set (1) into the "RUN" position.
  • Pull the steering column lock cylinder set (1) out from the lock module assembly.
  • Remove the key from the steering column lock cylinder set (1).

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  • Installation Instructions
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  • Insert the key into the steering column lock cylinder set (1).
  • LIne up the locking tab (2) and the positioning tab (3) of the steering column lock cylinder set with the locking tab slot (5) and the positioning tab slot (4) in the lock module assembly (6).
  • Push the steering column lock cylinder set (1) into the lock module assembly (6).
  • Rotate the steering column lock cylinder set (1) in the lock module assembly (6) into all positions.
  • Install the upper and lower shrouds. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers - Assemble - Off Vehicle or Steering Column Trim Covers - Assemble - Off Vehicle
  • Remove the ignition key from the lock cylinder set (1).
  • Connect the negative battery cable to the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical

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I hope this helps and good luck.
Please remember to vote 962e1fb.jpg and leave a testimonial. Thanks.
0helpful
1answer

Steering column locked

When you get the key into the ignition, Try turning the wheel to one side or the other as you turn the key. Some vehicle's steering columns will "lock" if the wheel is turned to tightly when the ignition gets turned off. Hope that helps.
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