Lexus Steering Wheel lock

[GymB]

So I started my day by making fun of a member at garagejournal, he is from CA and was asking about prepping for a Venezuelan type collapse. I said “California can’t collapse like Venezuela because it has so many natural resources and a progressive liberal government, oh wait, nevermind.” Well, I was banned within 5 min, fair enough, but later in the day I go to start the Lexus which I’ve been driving all day and the key won’t turn. It’s not that the steering wheel is locked to the left or right, the transmission cable is connected, the battery is fully charged and I’m using the right key. Turning the steering wheel against the stops doesn’t free it, nor does joggling or tapping on the key. Even gave it a quick shot of lube.

Any ideas before I have a locksmith replace the lock?

 

[HMP]

Have you checked Lexus boards?

 

[Carolinatlc]

My sons old Tacoma locked up like that once. Pulling hard one direction on the steering wheel finally got it to free up. I’m guessing the steering lock mechanism was worn with age. I talked to him on the phone and he couldn’t get it free. My wife went out and tried it several times and it wouldn’t budge. When I got home from work it took me several tries and then it just broke free. Never saw the problem again.

 

[GymB]

Have you checked Lexus boards?

Yes, lots of folks complaining, most often the problem is that tension from the front wheels is pressing the steering wheel against the lock, other times folks are basically dicking around and it start working.

Jack both front wheels off the ground.
Fiddle with the key while forcefully yanking the wheel about.


Before doing that, try the wheel yanking thing, but slam hard. Harder than you were doing.

yeah lifting the wheels seems unlikely to help, but I will slam the wheel around some more in the morning.

My sons old Tacoma locked up like that once. Pulling hard one direction on the steering wheel finally got it to free up. I’m guessing the steering lock mechanism was worn with age. I talked to him on the phone and he couldn’t get it free. My wife went out and tried it several times and it wouldn’t budge. When I got home from work it took me several tries and then it just broke free. Never saw the problem again.

yeah, that’s the story, nobody really ever knows what works or why, they just get lucky eventually. I just haven’t gotten lucky yet.

 

[Jp8819]

Is there a neutral release where you could get into neutral and roll it a little to maybe take some pressure off front end or jacking complete front off ground should do the same? Maybe steering is in a bind or has pressure and so close to the lock it cannot release.

 

[GymB]

Is there a neutral release where you could get into neutral and roll it a little to maybe take some pressure off front end or jacking complete front off ground should do the same? Maybe steering is in a bind or has pressure and so close to the lock it cannot release.

Yep, already did that, even rolled it around in gear which seemed odd.

 

[GymB]

So the fix turned out to be a shot of brake cleaner in the ignition switch.

 

[GymB]

Well that's odd.

I don't think I would have shot brake cleaner (vs. contact cleaner). Is brake cleaner bad for plastics? We know it's bad for paint.

Yeah, I tried straight alcohol last night and it didn’t work, so must need something stronger. What I don’t know is where it runs out to back behind the dash, hopefully nowhere important.