Ignition key won't turn
Mechanic's Assistant: Can you turn the steering wheel at all? And what about the key? Is it worn or damaged?
Steering wheel will turn a little. Key is old but has been working fine.
Mechanic's ...
Ignition key won't turn
Mechanic's Assistant: Can you turn the steering wheel at all? And what about the key? Is it worn or damaged?
Steering wheel will turn a little. Key is old but has been working fine.
Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car?
2003 Toyota Tacoma
Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Tacoma yourself? What have you tried so far?
Turning the key while turning the wheel back and forth, moving the key slightly more in and out while trying to turn it, banging on the dashboard.
Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you?
It's cold out. This has happened once or twice before in very cold weather.
Read More
Responses
Andrew
248 days ago
Automotive Expert
Hello! Welcome to JustAnswer. Thank you for contacting us for assistance with your Tacoma. My name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* I'll be helping you today. I'm so sorry you are having this issue with your Tacoma, I know it can be frustrating.
Instead of turning the wheel back and forth and trying to turn the key, just hold the wheel as far as you can one way and try to turn the key, then the other way and try to turn the key if it doesn't unlock. If you still can't get it to move, unfortunately you'll have to take apart the ignition lock cylinder and steering column in order to free it, and it will likely need a new steering column lock.
Customer
248 days ago
I already tried doing that.Is it possible that it just froze? It's been wet and below freezing.
Andrew
248 days ago
Automotive Expert
It's possible, but usually the issue is the lock cylinder gets worn and needs to be replaced.
Customer
248 days ago
Thank you
Andrew
248 days ago
Automotive Expert
You're welcome, best of luck!
Customer
248 days ago
FYI - I let off the parking [brake](/topics-brake-toyota/), allowed it to roll a couple inches, and it worked.Maybe something to try for future customers who pay for your advice before telling them to pay for repairs.
Andrew
248 days ago
Automotive Expert
Great, thank you so much for the expert advice!
Still not sure what you need?
Have a certified mobile mechanic diagnose what's wrong with your car, at your home or office.
Your car’s traction and stability control system (AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™) is designed to help enhance your stability and control during certain types of driving. The system is automatically on, and will engage without you having to do anything...
The clutch works as part of a hydraulic system that is sensitive to leaks. Any leak along the lines, or failure of a seal in the clutch master cylinder, share the same symptoms. Have a mechanic confirm your situation and...
Fuses are over current protection devices which means that you either have a short to ground (possibly intermittent) somewhere in the circuit or enough added resistance in the circuit that the current drawn by the pump is enough to blow...
Hey there. There is no information on the issue you are having with the dash lights. You may have a short in a harness causing the light to stay on. I would have a mechanic scan the body computer to...
If the items share a common ground or power circuit, there could be a loose connection or a bit of corrosion in the shared circuits in the steering column. The cross contact from corrosion growing across circuits can cause similar...
All modern cars are equipped with an Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal...
After doing my research on your vehicle, I see that most people use regular gas(87) in their Pontiac Vibes. You should be getting around 22-27mpg. The better the gas you use the cleaner the gas will burn. I did read...
A failed alternator is a possibility, and is among the components that would be checked first, but it is not the only possibility. Charging system output should be verified against factory specifications. To have the alternator inspected and replaced, if...
Your vehicle is constructed as a "unibody". Unibodies in general will have bolt on members, typically in the front and rear, that are referred to as cross-members or subframes. A sub frame structurally includes "cross-members" but a cross member itself...
Ignition key won't turn Mechanic's Assistant: Can you turn the steering wheel at all? And what about the key? Is it worn or damaged? Steering wheel will turn a little. Key is old but has been working fine. Mechanic's ...
Ignition key won't turn Mechanic's Assistant: Can you turn the steering wheel at all? And what about the key? Is it worn or damaged? Steering wheel will turn a little. Key is old but has been working fine. Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? 2003 Toyota Tacoma Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Tacoma yourself? What have you tried so far? Turning the key while turning the wheel back and forth, moving the key slightly more in and out while trying to turn it, banging on the dashboard. Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? It's cold out. This has happened once or twice before in very cold weather.