I can't get my key to turn in the ignition. We have tried...
Responses
Jay
346 days ago
Hello, My name is\*\*\*\*\*'ve been working on cars since 1990, I have been a Just Answer expert since 2008. Thank you for contacting us for assistance with your vehicle. I will be happy to assist you. You will see an option to receive a phone call prompted by the website, you can agree to or decline. If you do not wish to use the Phone Service, we can continue chatting this way back and forth until you are satisfied with my help. Just keep in mind, it does take me time to respond. I am a Automotive Technician, I am not a fast typer.
So lets get started.... Can I ask to whom I have the pleasure of speaking with today?
Customer
346 days ago
Patty
Jay
346 days ago
Hello Patty, Nice to meet you!
Customer
346 days ago
Hello!
Jay
346 days ago
I am sorry to hear that you are having issues turning your key in the ignition. I will do my best to help you with this.
Customer
346 days ago
Thank you. We've already tried jiggling the steering wheel. It's in lock position and we're having no luck.
Jay
346 days ago
First I would like you to try this....
Turn the steering wheel to the Right slowly and you may need to use some force.. and while doing that, try turning the key. If it doesn't work to the right, then try the left and let me know
Customer
346 days ago
Didn't work.
Jay
346 days ago
Is the car parked on a hill? Flat ground? Are you home? Are you out somewhere?
Customer
346 days ago
I'm home. It's on a very slight decline with the front facing downward.
Jay
346 days ago
Is it next to a curb? Are the wheels turned or touching a curb or anything?
Customer
346 days ago
It is not near a curb. The wheels are straight and the steering wheel is turned slightly left
Jay
346 days ago
So, Let me explain the steering lock operation to you, as it may help you .
Customer
346 days ago
Okay.
Jay
346 days ago
So the steering column has a open slot in it. When the Ignition is off, the it a lock on the ignition cylinder. Very similar to a dead bolt on a front door. So when you turn the wheel, the dead bolt would lock into that open slot on the column. So just like a front door that may be out of adjustment, when you try to lock a door how you may push or pull or lift to get the dead bolt to lock the dooor.
So your ignition works the same way. You need to simply move the wheel and find that sweet spot to allow the key to turn so the dead bolt part of the ignition cylinder cab retract.
The next step if you can't get it to release would be to raise the nose of the car so there is no pressure on the steering system to release the key
Do you understand?
Customer
346 days ago
I do. You mean we should try to jack up the car to see if that will release the steering lock?
Jay
346 days ago
If you feel you can do that. But both front wheels would have to be off the ground. That is the only other way. If that doesn't work, the it would need to be towed to have the ignition checked to see why it's no releasing.
Customer
346 days ago
Thanks for your help
Jay
346 days ago
You're welcome and thank you for using JustAnswer.com
Kind Regards,
Jay!
Customer
346 days ago
Jay...we jacked up the car and it worked!!! Thank you so much!!!
346 days ago
You're welcome and thank you for using JustAnswer.com
Kind Regards,
Jay!
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I can't get my key to turn in the ignition. We have tried jiggling the [steering wheel](/topics-steering-wheel-nissan/) and it is in a locked position and we are having no luck. Mechanic's Assistant: Have you applied const...
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