Steering wheel lock not releasing

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Fast Edddie - 07 Mar 2007 20:58 GMT

Got an '00 Avalon with 60k miles. Went to drive off today but the steering
wheel wouldn't unlock. No problem with ignition switch or gear shift-- I
could start the car, shift through all gears and the car drove fine-- except
the steering wheel is locked and can't be turned.

Any ideas to fix?

Reply to this Message

Ph@Boy - 07 Mar 2007 21:15 GMT

> Got an '00 Avalon with 60k miles. Went to drive off today but the steering
> wheel wouldn't unlock. No problem with ignition switch or gear shift-- I
> could start the car, shift through all gears and the car drove fine-- except
> the steering wheel is locked and can't be turned.
>
> Any ideas to fix?

I would strongly advise you to have the car towed in to the Toyota
dealer. The steering column may need to be disassembled and repaired.
The bigger issue is that if you were to manage to start the car and it
unlocks and drives normally, it may at any time lock the steering while
the vehicle is in motion, you loosing control, and I won't mention the
rest. I hope you get the idea. Have a person well trained and
experienced examine this Ed. Don't chance it IMHO. Good luck.

Reply to this Message

Ray O - 07 Mar 2007 21:34 GMT

> Got an '00 Avalon with 60k miles. Went to drive off today but the steering
> wheel wouldn't unlock. No problem with ignition switch or gear shift-- I
> could start the car, shift through all gears and the car drove fine--
> except the steering wheel is locked and can't be turned.
>
> Any ideas to fix?

I have never heard of a Toyota where the steering wheel lock would not
unlock, and the only thing I can think of is that the steering universal
joint is binding, but that is a low likelihood at 60 k miles.

I think it is time to have it towed to the dealer for diagnosis and repair.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Reply to this Message

Jeff Strickland - 08 Mar 2007 00:35 GMT

>> Got an '00 Avalon with 60k miles. Went to drive off today but the
>> steering wheel wouldn't unlock. No problem with ignition switch or gear
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> I think it is time to have it towed to the dealer for diagnosis and
> repair.

What Ray said.

The steering wheel lock is typically a pin that is attached (either directly
or indirectly through linkage) that gets pushed into a wheel with slots cut
into it. The wheel is locked to the steering column so that when the pin is
engaged, the column can not turn.

I have not seen or heard of a case where the ignition lockset moves freely,
but the steering wheel remains locked. I think you have potentially serious
problems where should the steering mysteriously become unlocked and work
properly, it could lock up again unexpectedly. As Ray said, you could be
having trouble with the steering column universal joints, but at only 60k
miles, I discount that one. Having said that, I think the universal(s)
is(are) easier to repair.

Of course, you do not have the front tires crammed against a curb, do you?

Reply to this Message

Fast Eddie - 08 Mar 2007 00:57 GMT

> Got an '00 Avalon with 60k miles. Went to drive off today but the steering
> wheel wouldn't unlock. No problem with ignition switch or gear shift-- I
> could start the car, shift through all gears and the car drove fine--
> except the steering wheel is locked and can't be turned.
>
> Any ideas to fix?

Here's where it is. I took everyone's advice and called a tow truck. The TT
driver took a look at it first before hooking me up and paritally pulled
open the plastic cover on the steering column just behind the steering
wheel. Somehow he managed to free the wheel so it turned.

I drove the car slowly about 2 miles down a straight, flat, low traffic road
to the Toyo dealer who's got it now. I'll post the outcome- hopefully
tomorrow and as long as I can still afford my ISP bill...

Thanks for the suggestions.

Ed

Reply to this Message