The second most likely cause, if turning the key while simultaneously turning the steering wheel didn’t work, is a broken key or ignition lock.
Car keys are inserted and twisted countless times, and when the groove wears down over time, the key may flex slightly or crack off entirely. Examine the key’s condition and clean it with some rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. Try turning the lock now to see if it operates.
The ignition lock will slowly start to malfunction as the dirt from the key builds up within. Spray two to three extremely brief spurts of WD40 into the ignition lock after giving the can with the smart straw a vigorous shake to fix the issue. Avoid going overboard to avoid doing more harm than good.
Distribute the WD40 by gently inserting and moving the key. Till it can function properly, work it in and out of the hole. Spray a small amount of WD40 inside the key grove and use that to lubricate the lock if you’re worried you’ll spray too much in the lock.
In This Article...
camper
While I was away from home, my 2007 Sonata performed this. When I called my dealer, the technicians advised me to turn the key while jiggling the steering wheel as a routine fix. The failure. They said that I wasn’t wriggling it vigorously enough. Same solution when I called Hyundai Road Service. I called AAA Roadside Assistance; same solution.
Finally, I dialed a tow truck operator I had previously used. He approached the spot where I had parked and did the wiggle move. No outcomes. He then forced the ignition key to turn, which is something I was frightened to do. I was concerned that it would separate. He managed to turn it. Engine operation began. Since then, no issues.
I won’t buy another Sonata if this is a common occurrence. I’d like to know whether it’s something so uncommon that I shouldn’t be concerned.
When the engine is off, turning the wheel unlocks the first-level lock. Simply turn the engine a little bit more in the same direction to release pressure, then turn the key simultaneously. For instance, if your front wheels are facing to the right, then turn to the right a little bit more, retain that position, and turn the key simultaneously.
You reach the second level of wheel locking if you don’t turn the key in the ignition and keep turning the wheel left and right. You’ll discover that your wheel is rigid and immobile. Actually, you can still spin the key a little bit on one side while holding it with one hand and turning it with the other. The car can still be started without any issues, although it might affect how the steering wheel is aligned. Driving can reveal an off-center steering wheel.
You might not get a response because this is an old thread, and you might be restarting an old thread. Consider starting a new thread, please.
Hyundai Forum is a place where all Hyundai Owners can gather to discuss and learn everything there is to know about Hyundai vehicles, including the Sonata, Elantra, and even the brand-new Kona!
Locked ignition
There are several new cars with ignition locks and turn-key ignitions. Once the key has been taken out of the ignition, you must turn the wheel to use this feature.
By doing so, a primary locking bolt that prevents the steering wheel from being turned without a key will be engaged. This effective anti-theft mechanism prevents the steering wheel from moving, so even if someone managed to start the engine, they couldn’t drive the vehicle.
The key must be turned in the ignition to deactivate the lock, but you should be aware that there will typically be a great deal of tension on the lock cylinder, making it difficult or impossible to turn the key.
Turn the steering wheel a little to let this stress go. This ought should be capable of moving slightly in at least one direction. The lock’s tension will then be relaxed, allowing you to turn the key to disengage it from the lock cylinder.
Remember that if you enter or exit your car using the steering wheel, you could unintentionally activate the steering lock.
The best way to unlock your steering wheel
You wouldn’t believe how frequently clients call us with locked steering wheels. Many people go years without this happening, so when it does, they are at a loss for what to do. It could be really frustrating. So, here are some things to be aware of.
Why it occurs: A few locations on your car serve as deterrents to theft. Your car will lock up and prevent you from turning it on if you park it in one of these spaces. The typical scenario is when you have turned into a parking space and your steering wheel is still turned, like in the illustration.
What to do: To release the pressure, simply turn your wheel a little bit further in the direction it was locked in before starting the car. You would continue moving it counterclockwise in the illustration to release the pressure.
A reminder: Since automobiles with factory push-button starts don’t have steering locking devices, this doesn’t apply to them.
I hope this is useful to you. Give our service department a call and they will walk you through it if your steering wheel does lock up and you need further help. 940-243-6233.
Why does the steering wheel on my Hyundai lock?
I drove my automobile to the mechanic because it locked up while I was driving to work. What causes a steering wheel to lock when driving?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
A compelling query and a perilous circumstance. Even though steering wheel lock-up on newer cars is uncommon, it can happen. Sharp turns or issues with the power steering system, the steering rack, column, or suspension are the most frequent causes of steering wheel locking while driving.
Here is a detailed explanation:
- Your power steering pump may become clogged with debris or stuck, or your car may leak power steering fluid, both of which can cause the wheel to lock up. Any one of these problems can make steering quite challenging.
- Issue with the steering rack, column, or suspension: Your steering wheel locking up is a very rare symptom of a suspension, steering rack, or column, or steering column, failure.
- Automobile ignition lockup: If the ignition system of your car experiences a fatigue failure, your car key won’t be able to switch the ignition on or off. This may result in the steering wheel locking if your car is already moving.
- Yes, if you want to pretend that you’re driving in the Formula One, all those rapid spins can wear down your car’s steering mechanism and cause your wheel to lock up.
Although steering wheel locking is a rare occurrence, it could pose a serious risk to you, your passengers, and other motorists. Take your automobile to a reliable mechanic to have the problem identified and corrected if you detect any problems with the steering wheel.
Another technique to make sure you’re safe when driving? Utilize a strong auto insurance policy to protect your vehicle, and use the Jerry app to compare rates for the best coverage. Jerry helps you enroll in your new policy and cancel your old one after you’ve made your decision.
How is a car’s steering wheel locked?
There can be instances when you wish to lock your steering wheel, particularly if you’re outside of Atlanta and in an unknown region. By locking the steering wheel, you may increase security and make it more difficult for someone to steal your car. Here’s how to purposefully lock your steering wheel:
- Take the keys out of the ignition after turning off your vehicle.
- Until you hear a click, turn the steering wheel in either direction.
- Up till you come back and unlock it, your steering wheel will be locked.
On a Hyundai i20, how do you lock the steering wheel?
Draw down the lock release lever, adjust the steering wheel to the desired angle and height (if provided), and then pull up the lock-release lever to lock the steering wheel in place on the Hyundai Elite i20. Before you start driving, make sure the steering wheel is in the proper position.
You were so kind to say that! Your response to the query will help hundreds of people decide whether to buy! After moderation, it will show up on the website.
On a Hyundai Sonata, how do you unlock the steering wheel?
Let’s look at how to unlock the steering wheel now that we understand why it locks. The steering wheel might still move somewhat after the key is removed from the lock. If you pull it, a click will indicate that it has fully locked, making further movement impossible.
This situation is where the majority of steering wheel issues originate. The ignition key won’t turn again, and you won’t be able to turn it back and forth. The remedy is fairly straightforward: try inserting and turning the key while firmly pulling the steering wheel from left to right.
In order to operate the key and fully open the steering column, you need to find the sweet spot where the tension on the ignition lock just barely releases. This answer will get you moving quickly and is trivially simple.
How is a steering wheel lock turned off?
Turn the key while also moving the steering wheel back and forth. By doing this, the lock will be released, enabling the car to start.
My steering wheel locks when I park, why?
The most common cause of a steering wheel lockup while driving is possibly a lack of power steering fluid or unclean power steering fluid. You can easily move the wheels with the power steering system, especially at lower speeds like parking lot maneuvers.
When you’re driving, can your steering wheel lock?
While you’re driving, the steering wheel locks If it occurs, it’s likely the result of a suspension, steering rack, or column breakdown. If this occurs, keep attempting to turn the wheel while cautiously slowing down. Put on your hazard lights and move away from traffic as quickly as you can.
Without a key, how do you unlock a steering wheel lock?
How can I unlock the push-to-start button on my steering wheel? You must have noticed that when you turn off your car and remove your key, the steering will lock. Therefore, there are two ways to unlock your steering wheel while using a push start button.
- You might try lightly shaking the steering wheel back and forth while applying the brake and pushing the start button once.
- You can remove your foot from the stop pedal, push the start button twice, and move the steering wheel simultaneously. The ignition will start with either choice.
How do I unlock the keyless entry on my steering?
The ignition cylinder is directly connected to the steering wheel lock. Use your left hand to firmly jiggle the steering wheel to the left and right in order to unlock it. Likewise, turn the ignition key with your right hand from the LOCK position to the ACC (accessory) or START position.