YACT: cant get the steering wheel to budge

[asm0deus]

so im eating lunch and my roommate is all like can you move your car, and im like wtf, ok. and put on my jacket and get in car. it makes the weird, i cant start sound. which my friend who sold me the car said, "you have to turn the wheels, sometimes it wont start cause the wheels arent straight" which he was right, sometimes thats what you have to do, its weird, the car makes this weird sound like when try to start an engine thats already started, so you straighten the wheels and it starts, USUALLY. not today. today i try and try, and bam the steering wheel locks up. It wont budge. its stuck in position and my car wont start. so how do i unstuck my steering wheel? i've tried taking it out of park and putting it back in park, and pushing all the steering wheel levers and buttons. nothing. the car just sits and makes no attempt to start and the steering wheel is stuck, my last idea is to put it in neutral and push it in a different position and try again.

its an older camry, any ideas? im having a bad day and need some tips before i start going insane.

 

[loic2003]

are you joking? You're talking about the steering lock being on, and you're not sure how to unlock it by the sound of things... Usually you just turn the key in the ignition to the 'on' or 'ignition' position.

Oh, and if you need to turn the wheels for the thing to start, I think you should get a proper mechanic to take a look.... seriously. And soon too.

 

[Actaeon]

LOL.

Its an anti-theft device, without the key in the ignition, and turning the steering wheel, the car will lock up the steering wheel to try to stop thefts.

With the key in the ignition, while trying to turn the key to on, move the streering wheel back and forth until it unlocks.

EDIT: Think of it this way, left hand moving the steering wheel back and forth, and the right hand twisting the key to on.

 

[DurocShark]

Occasionally the locking mechanism will bind if the wheels aren't straight. Particularly in older cars where previous owners just forced the lock instead of wiggling the steering wheel.

Turn the steering wheel in each direction. It should only move an inch or two because of the lock. Do this a few times while gently turning the ignition key. It won't take much force to turn the key once the steering lock is clear.

Be gentle. There is no reason to use any force on your vehicle.

 

[woowoo]

Consider trading it in....

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Think of it this way, left hand moving the steering wheel back and forth, and the right hand twisting the key to on.

took the words right out of my mouth

 

[Atomicus]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
LOL.

Its an anti-theft device, without the key in the ignition, and turning the steering wheel, the car will lock up the steering wheel to try to stop thefts.

With the key in the ignition, while trying to turn the key to on, move the streering wheel back and forth until it unlocks.

EDIT: Think of it this way, left hand moving the steering wheel back and forth, and the right hand twisting the key to on.

I don't have my license yet and I knew that.... how come asm0deus didn't ?

 

[Colt45]

sorry buddy, but you are an idiot.


turn the key gently and rock the steering wheel until it unlocks

 

[asm0deus]

k i think you guys are right, im an idiot. got the steering wheel to unlock but it looks like i need a jump. the trunk was mysteriously unlocked so i guess the light was on all night. just gotta jump it and find out, thanks. im good with some things, but cars and women = me retarded.

 

[asm0deus]

got a jump its fine now, musta been the trunk *doh*! atot retard of the day is me