What to Do When the Steering Wheel is Locked and the Car Won't Start?
2 Answers
If the steering wheel is locked and the car won't start, you can solve the issue by gently shaking the steering wheel while turning the key. The reason for this problem is that the steering wheel was not straightened or was turned after removing the key. Note that if you don't turn the steering wheel while turning the key, the key won't turn. It's important to check if the vehicle is properly parked after stopping. If you forget the number of steering wheel turns, you can observe the wheel's position from outside. If you notice the tires are not straightened after turning off the engine, remember not to force the steering wheel back to position. You must restart the vehicle to straighten the steering wheel to avoid damaging the steering mechanism directly.
I've also encountered the situation where the steering wheel locks and the car won't start. Most of the time, it's actually the anti-theft function being activated. In this case, you need to hold the steering wheel with one hand and gently wiggle it left and right while simultaneously turning the key to start the ignition with the other hand. Remember to use finesse when wiggling the steering wheel—don't force it, or you might damage the steering column. For automatic transmission cars, make sure it's in the P (Park) position; for manual transmission, press the clutch when starting. If it doesn't work after three attempts, it might be due to a dead battery or a faulty key chip. Also, avoid randomly turning the steering wheel after parking and turning off the engine—it's best to straighten the wheels before shutting off the engine to prevent triggering the steering wheel lock.
