Ignition Key Won't Turn
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
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From: FL
Ignition Key Won't Turn
My daughter and I both have 2003 SC-430's. Occasionaly when we try to turn the key it will not turn. The steering wheel must be jerked violently to "unlock" and then it will start. It has to be jerked in the direction that would straighten the wheels. Sometimes this takes several minutes. My mechanic said to always park with the wheels straight ahead, however it still happens even if they are just slightly turned. This happens in both cars so assume it is a common problem. Any comments?
Yeah, this is a security feature called steering-wheel lock. To avoid this from happening, try not to use the steering wheel as a support while getting out of the car.
My daughter and I both have 2003 SC-430's. Occasionaly when we try to turn the key it will not turn. The steering wheel must be jerked violently to "unlock" and then it will start. It has to be jerked in the direction that would straighten the wheels. Sometimes this takes several minutes. My mechanic said to always park with the wheels straight ahead, however it still happens even if they are just slightly turned. This happens in both cars so assume it is a common problem. Any comments?
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
From: auh
To avoid that I do the following:-
1- When I park my car and before shifting the gear to P, I first put my steering wheel straight. Then I press the leg break fully then I move the gear to park.
2- When I get out of the car I turn fully toward the door, push myself outside and but my feet on the ground. Then I stand up with my hands one on the door and the other one on the seat.
Hope this help
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 396
From: Ohio
There should be no need to "jerk" the steering wheel "violently." The torque in the system is simply putting pressure on the key locking mechanism, and happens in all cars. It's usually mentioned in the manuals. Turning the wheel while applying pressure on the key will let you know when the pressure is released, allowing the key to turn.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: FL
Ignition Key Won't Turn
This is exactly what I was going to say. Usually we tend to use the steering wheel as a support and then it locks. so when we come back and try to turn the key it wont unless we turn the steering.
To avoid that I do the following:-
1- When I park my car and before shifting the gear to P, I first put my steering wheel straight. Then I press the leg break fully then I move the gear to park.
2- When I get out of the car I turn fully toward the door, push myself outside and but my feet on the ground. Then I stand up with my hands one on the door and the other one on the seat.
Hope this help
To avoid that I do the following:-
1- When I park my car and before shifting the gear to P, I first put my steering wheel straight. Then I press the leg break fully then I move the gear to park.
2- When I get out of the car I turn fully toward the door, push myself outside and but my feet on the ground. Then I stand up with my hands one on the door and the other one on the seat.
Hope this help
Shivett
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CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 396
From: Ohio
It's a common problem with almost all cars made in the last 20 years. It's clearly inherent in the mechanics used, as an electric or electronic mechanism is surely not going to work for this situation.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
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From: HK
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