ignition locked up

My sons 94 tacoma's ignition locked up. I cant even get it to go to acc to release the steering, any suggestions

 

put the key in and smack the back of the key with the rubber end of a screwdriver while u turn the key, worked for me

 

I had the same problem before with a different toyota. There is something worn or cracked inside the ignition. Its another safety mechanism besides the electronic chip found inside of the key. I thought the computer wasnt recognizing the key. Not the case at all. after spending about $200 dollars on a replacement that didnt work and 2 days at the stealership, I only needed to remove the ignition and take it to a locksmith to repair it which cost me a mere $25 dollars. U can get it fixed by toyota for about $200. Hope this helps.

G

Let me know if u have a question about igniton removal. And Welcome to TW!!

 

turn the steering wheel hard left and try to turn the key, if that doesnt work, turn it hard right

 

Yep this is what happens to me when the wheel gets turned with no key. You just have to get it in the center of the farthest you can go each way.

 

Just throwing something out there -- how about a drop of oil. It's worked for me on door locks and a
Motorcycle ignition

Just an idea

 

Thanks for comments but none would work. If i could just get it to the acc position i could pull the ignition but it won't turn at all. I guess i might have to call the stealership

 

I had this problem with my '85 K5. The ignition was worn out so I had it replaced.

A friend of mine was locked out of her car because her door lock/key was worn (the only lock on a Trailblazer is on the driver's door), so I sprayed just a bit of WD-40 on the key and inside the key cylinder and, SHIZAM! It worked like a charm.

 

WD-40 or pretty much any other oil type lubricant does work great, but is not a good practice for lock mechanisms because they attract dirt which over time will make the problem even worse. There are non-dirt-attracting lubricants made specifically for locks, maybe ask at a locksmith shop, or use powdered graphite, comes in little tubes at any auto parts store. Might even find the lock type specific lubes there also, I don't know about that. I use graphite inside locks.

 

The ignition on my 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 TRD locked up after I parked with the left front wheel pushed against a curb (vehicle at 40 degree angle to the curb). When I got ready to leave the Fed Ex place I had parked at, the key would not turn in the ignition. The steering wheel was locked up tight and would not budge.

I had to use my jack to raise the left front wheel until it no longer was pinched against the curb and this apparently relieved the pressure on the front left wheel as I was then able to turn the steering wheel a little and then I could turn the key (rotate right) in the ignition so the engine started. What a bummer.

I had phoned the local nearby Toyota Dealership and they advised me to pull hard on the steering wheel but I could not budge it. The service guy at the Dealership said if that did not work I would probably have to have a tow truck come and pull my Toyota away from the curb to get that pinched left wheel away from the curb. The service guy did not tell me about using a jack to raise the pinched wheel. A clerk at a nearby Fred Meyer advised me about using the jack to raise my Toyota. I had just driven from Kelso to Seattle when this happened on 3/28/2011. It took me about 3 hours of messing around to get this situation resolved.

 

That's actually really good to know. Thanks, Mike.

 

Ignition lock hangs when trying to start. Will eventually start when key is repeatedly placed and removed from the lock. This ignition has had this malfunction ever since vehicle was purchased new.

 

Hay guys, My elderly father just bough a new 2018 Tacoma. He’s only put 2000 mil. but he’s exspiranced the same condition most of you have. Not being able to turn the key to start his truck. He says he’s never experienced this before on any other vehicle he’s owned. But I know he has just not this often and not this hard to get the key to turn. When he parks he rarely puts the steering wheel in a neutral position or where there is no tension on the steering. When this happens all the force from the steering components are resting on the steering wheel lock mechanism. It takes the key/cylinder to release the steering wheel lock, if he rests the tires against a curb or Keeps pressure on the wheel when turning the ign. off it could easily end up putting pressure on the steering and again resting on the steering wheel lock. Making it extremely hard or darn near impossible to release all that pressure with a skinny little key. I’ve check for any TSB’s for this condition from TOYOTA, there’s none. So it looks like he’s just going to have to learn how to release the tension from the steering components when he turns the engine off so not to mantane pressure on the steering. Simple, by letting go of the wheel then turn the wheel a little one way then turn the other way then center the wheel trying not to rest the front wheels agenst anything hands off the wheel go to neutral than park. All vehicles have this condition it’s just Toyota’s are the worse the object is not to have any pressure on the steering when parking. Sounds like a lot but it should minimize this most frustrating condition. I sure hope this helps

 

My 2002 cylender locked up. Had it towed home and used the other brand new key that came with it.
Worked like a charm. It was the key that was so worn that it finally stopped working and not the cylender.

 

My 06 Tacoma regular cab ignition is locked. How can I get it out? My key won’t turn at. Tried spraying oil in there, tapping with hammer, slamming wheel hard left/right.
I just need to be able to start it and move it to a mechanic. Any ideas if drilling and sticking flathead into it will allow me to start it

 

Dealership can cut you a new key from the VIN, might be worth trying that.