I just got the car back from the paint shop today and the steering wheel is locked. I have tried flipping the key, jerking the wheel to the right and left...nothing is working.

thanks in advance...


bill

 

so key works but lock is still engaged??? only solution iv done is taking a dremel and cutting a grove in the blank bolt head to isert a screwdriver remove your tumbler and get a new one.
thats the extent of my knowledge on that though.

the fd's blank bolt heads are under the top column cover.

z

 

can you turn the key like normal??

 

No i cant turn the key or the steering wheel.

 

I've had a similar experience before...try turnin the wheel one way as much as you can (use some muscle) and then try to turn the key...If that doesn't work try the other way...If that doesn't work try to remove the ignition switch. no need to destroy your switch.

 

I have tried all suggested except for using the dremel and still no luck. Any other options?

 

Make sure you are using the key for your car.

Dan

 

They could have given you the wrong key back...

 

Thanks....but i am using the right keys...

 

Ahaha

 

Have you tried jacking the front wheels off the ground to eliminate the weight on the wheels? I've seen that work a time or two.

 

No but i will try it..

 

that didn't work...this is starting to **** me off. Looks like i am going to end up buying a whole new lock set...

I am assuming by replacing the ignition switch/lock it will release the steering wheel.

 

Do you have multiple keys to try? Try rocking/jiggling the keys up and down as you try and turn while pulling at the wheel. The keys or tumblers are probably getting worn and wont quite clear the cylinder.

If that doesnt work take the ignition lock assembly out, and see if you can get it to work outside of the car. The ignition switch is actually a separate part from the lock so if you take the lock out you can at least use a screw driver to turn the ignition switch. You will need to dremel the top bolts on the steering column in order to get the assembly out with a flat head. The bolts don't look like bolts they are just blank. once I got mine out i replaced them with normal allen head bolts to make it easier to remove in the future.

 

I think they were like that so thieves don't have easy access to them.

 

yeah that's why they did it, unfortunately it makes it hard to work on. Plus if a thief wanted the car it wouldn't be that hard to break the wheel lock and bypass the ignition switch.

 

it wouldn't be but it WOULD be loud if they have to break it, which could maybe wake you..

 

Well if you want to buy a whole new lock set theres one on the for sale section. I think its a pretty good deal

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-parts-99/fs-complete-fd-lock-set-830445/

 

Someone beat me to it by 7 minutes

 

Any other suggestions.

 

did you remove the ignition lock assembly?

 

i had a similar problem with my old mazda b2200 pick up truck.I broke the ignition to get it to work. It turns out that i had 2 identical keys one was from my pick up one was from my father other mazda.Crazy enough my dads keys opened up my doors but not my ignition. Double check that you have the right keys. I don't see why your wheel will lock just like that unless theres something wrong in your steering rack.

 

Have you tried rolling the car back and fourth while jerking the wheel left and right (takes more than one person). I had it happen to me real bad one time and that fixed it.

 

Here is a long shot...Is this car an automatic or a 5 speed? The automatics have a solenoid in the ignition lock assembly that prevents the keys from turning into the lock position unless the car is in park. The solenoid pushes a pin into the lock assembly and prevents it from turning. Although it is set up to prevent you from going from acc to lock and not from lock to acc or on, it could have malfunction and the pin is wedge against you lock cylinder prevent it from turning. Like I said, it is a long shot but worth looking into. I'm not sure if the pin is present on the lock assembly, the solenoid probably won't be on cars with manual trans (don't have my column apart to look) but it is something to look into if you have the covers apart. In case your car is an automatic, the solenoid on lock assembly be remove and you can run without it.

 

It's a 5 speed. I will try the rolling the car trick tomorrow...if that doesn't work i have a locksmith scheduled to be at the house between 3:00 and 5:00