Why Is My Nissan Steering Wheel Locked?
If you’ve accidentally engaged a Nissan’s anti-theft feature, unlocking a steering wheel is an easy fix, but there are other causes as well. Read more.
Written by Rachel Rigolino
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you get in your Nissan and find the steering wheel locked, try inserting your key and turning the ignition while simultaneously turning your wheel in the direction where you feel the least resistance. Other tricks include reinserting your key a few times or pulling your key out a bit while turning the wheel.
Automotive anti-theft devices have been around since the early 20th century—and these days, even steering wheels have been designed to lock up if a thief tries to bypass an ignition system without a key. That’s great, until you accidentally engage this anti-theft device while parking! When you later go to start your vehicle, you’ll find your steering wheel locked and the key impossible to turn.
If you can’t figure out why your Nissan steering wheel is locked, you’ve come to the right place.
Jerry
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savings has the answers. After walking you through how to disengage the anti-theft device to unlock your Nissan steering wheel, we’ll cover some other common causes for this problem. How to unlock your Nissan steering wheel
It’s happened to all of us at least once. You go out to your vehicle and find the steering wheel is locked up. You can’t get the key to turn in the ignition. What should you do next?
First, relax. Likely, you’ve accidentally engaged the locking bolt in the ignition, which is an anti-theft feature modern vehicles with. You can’t turn the steering wheel because the Nissan engineers have designed it so that even if a car thief started your car without a key, they wouldn’t be able to drive it off. To get this bolt to disengage, you have to start your engine.
Car experts recommend that you begin by figuring out in which direction the wheel has a bit of “give.” Usually, a locked steering wheel will turn slightly in one direction.
Then, while you firmly turn the wheel in that direction, try to turn your key in the ignition. Resist the temptation to wildly rock your wheel back and forth—that can make the problem worse.
If the above method doesn’t work, try jiggling your key in the ignition and/or taking it out about 1/16 of an inch. A related approach is to try another key if you have one available. Sometimes keys that are worn don’t work as well.
If the above tips don’t pan out, there’s a chance that spraying electrical cleaner, lubricant, or canned air into the keyhole in the ignition will do the trick. It may be that your cylinder needs a bit of lubrication or that you’ve got debris preventing the cylinder from working.
Pro Tip Never try to force your key to turn. This can result in a broken-off key that’s stuck in your ignition!
MORE:How to check and add power steering fluid
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Why your Nissan steering wheel lock might engage
While a locked steering wheel may be caused by something simple, occasionally, the problem is more serious. In this section, we’ll go beyond an accidental engagement of your Nissan’s anti-lock feature to review some other reasons you may have problems with a locked steering wheel.
If your steering wheel locks while parked
Let’s say you’ve tried the tips mentioned in the previous section and nothing’s worked. At this point, it would be reasonable to assume that you have a malfunctioning ignition lock cylinder. Again, you never want to jump right to this conclusion, but a worn or damaged cylinder is a real possibility.
Assuming you’re parked at home and have some mechanical abilities, you may want to attempt to replace the cylinder yourself. On the other hand, if you’re away from home, this type of problem will necessitate either flat bedding your car to a nearby mechanic or getting help from a mobile mechanic.
If your steering wheel locks while driving
Nothing is more frightening than feeling your steering wheel lock up while you’re during, particularly at high speeds! If this ever happens, try to remain calm, while applying the brakes. Your aim should be to get off the road, out of traffic, as soon as you can. Put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you’re in trouble.
Call for roadside assistance and do not continue driving your vehicle, even if the wheel unlocks and seems to be fine. A steering wheel that locks while driving is likely signaling that you have a major malfunction of the steering column, power steering system,
steering rack
, or suspension. A vehicle with such a problem presents a danger both to you and other drivers on the road.If your steering wheel is usable but stiff
Let’s say you do unlock your steering wheel while parked. But you’re having other problems with your steering wheel as well. Perhaps your Nissan is becoming difficult to turn. Or maybe you notice some stiffness or resistance when trying to steer in one direction.
Unresponsive steering, which often worsens over time, often signals an issue with your power steering system.
A faulty
power steering pump
, contaminated power steering fluid
, or a leak in the steering system are a few possible culprits behind your Nissan’s stiff steering. Don’t delay in taking your vehicle to your mechanic so that they can diagnose the cause of the problem—not being able to steer smoothly is a major issue that can interfere with the safe operation of your car.How to save on Nissan insurance
When you get into your Nissan and find a problem with a locked steering wheel or another component of your car, SUV, or truck that’s not working, chances are you’ll turn to the Internet, looking for an online expert to help you diagnose the underlying cause of your problem.
Did you know that there’s an expert on finding
cheap Nissan car insurance
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