Emergency: STRANDED! Key won't turn in ignition

[986_inquiry]

Key will not turn in ignition. I've jiggled it, turned it over, tried turning wheel all the way, nothing works. Ideas? I'm stranded at the gym at 11pm and I have work in the morning

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

Key will not turn in ignition. I've jiggled it, turned it over, tried turning wheel all the way, nothing works. Ideas? I'm stranded at the gym at 11pm and I have work in the morning

Got it. I followed the guide here
My key will not turn in ignition to start my 2001 - FixYa

Turned wheel hard to the left (counter clockwise) and turned key at the same time. How do I prevent this from happening in the future?

[blue2000s]

This is an anti theft feature. You can't deactivate it, in fact, you're supposed to engage it when you leave the car parked. All cars do this, every single one.

[thstone]

How do I prevent this from happening in the future?

I always leave my steering wheel pointed straight ahead when I shut off the car to avoid the steering pressure from making the key difficult/impossible to turn (without moving the streering wheel to release the pressure on the key interlock).

[Eric G]

Glad this all worked out well for you!

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by thstone

How do I prevent this from happening in the future?

I always leave my steering wheel pointed straight ahead when I shut off the car to avoid the steering pressure from making the key difficult/impossible to turn (without moving the streering wheel to release the pressure on the key interlock).

I'll do that from now on

[Brad Roberts]

I pull the ignition switch assembly out and cutoff the locking TAB .. lol

On our race cars

Takes about 15min total



B

[tuanle16]

if this is constantly happening, your ignition switch could be failing. easy DIY if needed.

[Aynsley683]

Ok, so this happened today , searched on here found this thread as the key wouldn’t turn , would lock and unlock etc. but not turn in ignition.

Pulled on the steering wheel and there it went , ignition key turned.

So here’s the question , I’ve done the search and the wheels were straight , as it’s going into a garage and I’ve already done the ignition switch last week from the last time this happened .

What’s next on the list, as the search’s just pulled up ‘replace ignition switch’ ?

2003 986 base with automatic transmission , it took a 2004 ignition switch ,as that’s what came off. Farther in law said it had a battery drain of some sort but then he didn’t drive it often, so thought that was issue.

[elgyqc]

What's the problem? If you can get the key to turn after turning the steering wheel one way or another than all is normal. When locked a bolt is extended into the steering column, if there is no pressure on the bolt i.e. the steering column is not turned after the bolt is extended then the bolt will withdraw without problems next time you turn the key. If any torque was applied to the steering column during or after the extension of the bolt it will bind enough to prevent the key from turning and withdrawing the bolt. Turn the wheel to remove the tension and the key will turn.
That being said there are real problems that can arise to make turning the key difficult or impossible... my experience is detailed here:
Steering locking mechanism problem - how I resolved it.