Steering wheel can get locked automatically during driving or after parked due to power steering issues, steering assist fault or faulty ignition. You must know how to disable steering wheel lock to start the car again and continue driving.
You can disable steering wheel both with key or using an ignition replacement set, slim Jim, or lock pick set. Even with the key, you may need to apply losing sticky locks or WD40 to turn the key smoothly. However, you shouldn’t disable the steering wheel lock permanently and sacrifice the car’s security.
Article Summary
How To Disable Steering Wheel Lock With Key
You can easily disable the steering wheel lock using the key. However, the process varies depending on whether the car has a typical key ignition or push-button start and the car specific make and model. Below are the standard processes for disabling the locked steering wheel using a key:
1. Using Key Ignition
It’s the easiest way to disable the steering wheel lock and takes only a few seconds. The process is:
- Insert your key within the ignition and rotate it to turn on the vehicle.
- If the key doesn’t turn, your vehicle has a steering wheel lock release button at the steering wheel’s back like most of the vehicles. If so, press and hold the release button and turn the key at a time. It should disable the lock.
- If the wheel remains locked, shake the steering wheel forward and backward while rotating the key. If it doesn’t work, turn the wheel slightly to release the lock’s tension so you can turn it and disable the lock.
- After disabling the lock, you should be able to turn on or off the vehicle. If your car has electronic power steering, you may need to wait for a while to unlock the steering wheel. You may also need to reset the steering wheel lock by holding and pressing it for five seconds.
2. Losing Sticky Locks
This is another effective method to disable the locked steering wheel particularly when the ignition becomes clogged. Ignition can get jammed with dust, dirt, or other debris. So you can struggle to turn the key and unlock the steering wheel.
Before applying this method, make sure your car has sufficient power steering fluid. Then pour some electrical cleaner into the keyhole of the ignition. Place the key into the slot and rotate it slowly, backward, and forward so the cleaner can work. This will blow the compressed air through the keyhole to clean the debris.
Pull the key in and out from the ignition for a couple of times to remove the debris from the keyhole. Make sure the key doesn’t get bent or damaged while rotating or pulling the key. Once the keyhole becomes clear, you should be able to turn the key and disable the locked steering wheel.
3. Spraying WD40
You can also spray a bit of WD40 into the keyhole if it gets jammed and doesn’t let you rotate the key. If the ignition slot gets locked due to solidification in lock numbers, WD40 will help free a lock cylinder. After spraying WD40, place the key into the slot and rotate it back and forth.
How To Disable Steering Wheel Lock Without Key
The steering wheel is mainly intended to prevent theft from accessing your car. So it can be difficult to disable the steering wheel without using the key system. However, you can disable the lock using some accessories including using ignition replacement set, slim jim, sticky lock, lock pick set, and more.
1. Using An Ignition Replacement Set
If you face key system error or the ignition cylinder gets jammed, you can replace the whole set to disable the lock. Though you’ll need to disassemble a steering column to replace the set, the method is still easier. The steps are:
- Purchase a new ignition replacement set with keys.
- Disconnect the battery from the car to avoid causing an accident due to electrical discharge.
- Remove the steering column cover using a screwdriver to get access to the ignition switch.
- Pull out the ignition switch from the steering column’s right side after unscrewing the bolts.
- Place your new ignition set on the right side of the steering column and secure it by tightening the bolts.
- Replace and secure the steering column cover and re-connect the battery.
- Now disable the steering wheel lock using the new key.
2. Using A Slim Jim
Slim Jim can be a cost-efficient alternative to disabling the locked steering wheel if you don’t prefer to brake the ignition system. It’s a thin strip of metal that can control the lock system.
However, you’ll need some skill and time to disable the steering wheel using Slim Jim.
The steps are:
- Insert slim Jim between the dashboard’s top and the steering wheel’s bottom.
- Slide the slim Jim gently until you feel it hold the licking system.
- Once it does, put the key on the ignition cylinder and turn it.
- This should disable the locked steering wheel.
3. Lock Pick Set
The lock pick set includes some specific picks designed for vehicle locks. If you have this set, you can use it to manipulate the ignition cylinder’s internal pins. Use this tool to move pins meticulously one by one into their positions and apply light rotational force using another tool at a time. This should unlock the steering wheel and ignition at the same time.
4. Mechanical Intervention
If your vehicle features advanced locking mechanisms that are challenging to beat with other methods, mechanical intervention can be the best bet. Inspect under the dashboard of the vehicle where various interrelated linkages operate between ignition switches and column lock.
Locating the linkage system will let you manipulate the locking system properly through adjustment or disengagement. However, you’ll require advanced skills to perform the inspection and adjustment.
How To Unlock Steering Wheel on A Push-To-Start Car?
Ignition and steering systems of vehicles vary based on brand and model. Some modern vehicles feature a push button to start the vehicle instead of a key. So these vehicles don’t have an ignition port where you can insert the key. If you want to unlock push-to-start car steering wheel locked, follow these tricks to disengage:
- Depress the brakes while pushing the push-to-start button to start the vehicle.
- The push-to-start button will start flashing and the dashboard will show a locked steering message.
- Now, depress the brake pedal and rotate the steering wheel slowly from left side to right at a time.
- Release the brake pedal and press the push-to-start button two times while moving the steering wheel backward and forward. Doing this for a few times will disengage the lock instead of starting the vehicle.
- Your car will activate the ACC mode and the steering wheel disabled automatically.
FAQs
How Do You Bypass The Steering Wheel Lock Without A Key?
Turn on your car’s electrical system and jiggle the steering wheel gently. If you can turn the steering wheel, press the brake and start button to bypass the steering wheel lock. But if the steering wheel don’t turn, turn the wheel slightly and then start the vehicle.
What Causes The Steering Wheel To Lock Up While Parked?
If you tug the wheel sharply in one direction after parking the vehicle, this can activate the lock feature. In theory, your car will prevent the vehicle from rolling on a steep incline by locking up the steering wheel.
How Do You Unlock A Steering Wheel With A Screwdriver?
You can unlock the steering wheel using a screwdriver as a key. In place of the key, insert the screwdriver into the keyhole and rotate it. While turning the screwdriver, wiggle the steering wheel backward and forward. Stop turning the screwdriver after unlocking the steering wheel and then start the vehicle.
Final Words
Hope you understand how to disable the steering wheel lock and now you should be able to disable it even without using the key. But remember, disabling the steering wheel lock will sacrifice your car’s security.
So it can roll down on an incline or get theft very easily. To enable the lock every time you turn off the vehicle and repair the damaged ignition cylinder immediately to start the vehicle quickly and easily.
