Steering Lock..Key Won't Turn!!

For some reason I locked my steering wheel, then I go back to put my key in and start it and the key won't turn...usually you just move the wheel around and it goes, but no matter what I do, turn the wheel, shake the car, beat on the steering column the key will go in but will NOT turn at ALL...I tried both keys, what should I do?

could my steering lock be out of adjustment?

Key or tumbler could be messed up, I had a key that wore down a little and the teeth wouldn't engage right, so the key didnt move...

sounds like it's time for a new lock and tumbler assembly?

yeah I'm gonna have to replace it, thanks guys! I just wanted to make sure

if you pull it out, can you take it apart, at least partially, and maybe lube it?

the mechanic said it's really froze up and it's "worse than they thought", so now they have to replace the "whole thing" which is gonna cost "500 dollars" sounds great, I might as well torch the piece of shit.

Do it yourself for $25 sounds about right..it's not like its hard or anything...

Do it yourself for $25 sounds about right..it's not like its hard or anything...

I agree. Do it yourself. Mechanics always want to charge a bundle if they have to bend over under the dash/steering column...haha. But seriously, do you have tilt steering? I would move the column up and down aggressively then if it still wouldn't knock the bitch loose I'd take it apart. GL

I always take apart anything I break...just so A) I know wtf broke, and why..and B) So that I can try to fix it this/next time....

well the problem is if its locked you cant get the lock cylinder out, because in order to pull it out you have to turn the key while you pull on it. which is why the shop wants to charge you so much. You'll have to remove your steering wheel and colum cover and you'll see the ignition setup bolted to your colum. There are 2 bolts that look like big rivets sorta cause they aren't cut for a screwdriver. So in order to get them you you have to get a dremmel and cut sluts into them and then just turn them out like a normal screw. Now follow the harness down and it'll come to a connector, maybe like 6 inches from the key. Just unclip this and take it out. You'll need a new one. You should be able to get one for 20-30 bucks from a junkyard, just make sure you get the key with it. Then just install the oppisite of removal.

Maybe those *rivet things* are torx bits, they are kindastar shaped...and if you dont have the bit you can usually get it out with an allen wrench...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/livinincalifornia/broke2.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/livinincalifornia/broke1.jpg


This is pepboys finnnee work...I go in to have my ignition replace the tumbler inside broke, so they tell me first they just need to replace the tumbler then "oh no we have to do the WHOLE ignition" so I say ok and authorize the purchase of a 250 dollar part and some labor that comes out to $480 total. It takes 4 days to wait for the part then they fix it in a few hours and call me to say it's ready, I go down very pleased, we do paperwork I get in the car and I literally go "W..T..F" there is black tape on my steering column and a missing cover that goes around the ignition, it looks like someone tried to hotwire it!!...I was so infuriated I started to stutter and I never stutter. I mean look at it, they tried to pass this on to me as "completed" I pride myself on having my car look great even though it has 190,000 miles and this just pissed me off..they broke it and then figured I wouldn't see the black tape. It's one thing to break it and offer to replace it, it's another to try and get it by me as "ok". I told him I want a new cover and I won't pay a cent more, not only that but I will not accept it till it look exactely how I left it and that is in perfect condition. Never again will I take my car to pepboys, and they offered to do a "fuel system cleanup" HAHHAHAHAA!! Like I want these idiots under my hood!!!

I could have done better with my eyes closed...hell, does it even start the car?

barely..I have two keys now one to open the door and another to start it, not only that they didn't correctly wire it to my alarm so it doesn't recongize the key in the ignition so it was going off while I was driving!! I had to keep my door open the whole time...now that i learned how to replace the part I'm just utterly pissed, they are gonna fix it and I'm gonna get as much out of them as I can, and try to get some of my money back.

You got screwed man. Never take your car to Pepboys to get it worked on. Even if the "mechanics" have Hondas, they're usually riced the f out. Oh dear, man I feel sorry for you.

Hmm, I have two keys...one of em is just a generic flat one, says ilco...interesting..the other honda one opens the doors.

Hmm, I have two keys...one of em is just a generic flat one, says ilco...interesting..the other honda one opens the doors.

Somebody must have previously replaced your igniton lock. CRX should only have one key to open/use for everything.

dam foreign cars try pushing in on the ket when u turn it.

Well doesn't that suck...Oh well, mine works great!

Maybe those *rivet things* are torx bits, they are kindastar shaped...and if you dont have the bit you can usually get it out with an allen wrench...

Maybe you to shut up. You seriously think I don't know what a torx bolt looks like?

And for those who happened to read that, DON'T use a allen key instead of a torx bit, 99% of the time it bends the keyway and makes it a pain in the ass to get out.

HEY, whoa whoa buddy....chill out man, first off. Im sure YOU know what one looks like! But the way you described it, I would have had no clue...And not everybody has a damn torx set, So I gave an alterative, I didnt say it worked everytime. But Ive done it perfectly fine many times...It depends on the size, some bits fit just right, some don't. You have to see BEFORE you go cranking on it!

that is tape...right?...thats some shit there. thats almost like when i got new tires form tire kingdom (had stock 13's and hubcaps) they broke a hubcap and didnt say anything...well i made it over the first speedbump before it flew off...lol
long story short they paid for new ones from honda...hahah and got my "good word" out to all my friends. i hate when people do shit like that.