What Causes a Car to Lock and Fail to Start?
2 Answers
Car lock and failure to start is due to the activation of the steering wheel's automatic locking function. Here is some relevant information about car lock-up: 1. Cause: The steering wheel lock is a simple anti-theft feature. For the safety of the vehicle, when the car is turned off, if the steering wheel is turned left or right or the wheels are not straight when parked, the force applied can cause the steering wheel to rotate, triggering the self-locking function. 2. Solution: Insert the key, step on the brake, and then turn the steering wheel left and right. Although the steering wheel is in a locked state at this time, it can still be slightly rotated when turning. While turning the steering wheel, turn the key to complete the steering wheel unlocking process.
Last time I encountered this situation, I was also quite anxious. Later, I found out that it was mostly due to the steering wheel lock. After turning off the engine, turning the steering wheel will automatically lock it, which is an anti-theft feature. At this point, the key won't turn, and you need to gently turn the steering wheel while turning the key to unlock it. Also, remember to check the key's battery. If the remote key is out of power, the car's anti-theft system will lock the starting function. Insufficient battery power can also cause all electronic systems to fail, making it impossible to recognize the key signal. Another time, I found that the gear wasn't shifted back to P. Automatic transmission cars won't allow starting if they're in D or R gear. Lastly, don't forget to check if the brake pedal is fully depressed. Many keyless start cars now require simultaneously pressing the brake to ignite. If all else fails, it might be an anti-theft system malfunction or wiring issue, which requires professional equipment at a repair shop to diagnose.
