2008 tacoma key wont turn, wheel locked

i have a 2008 tacoma sr5 and my wheel is locked and the key does not turn. ive wiggled, turned both ways, called the help line, and called the nearest dealer 100+ miles away. the person at the dealership said that the ignition lock could only be replaced by them since it would need to be programmed to my car. however they did not offer any ideas on how to bring my truck to them... is it true that I cannot change the ignition lock cylinder myself?

 

Did you try turning the steering wheel back & forth while you are turning the key? That has worked for me. Good luck.

 

X2, my 06 likes to lock up when I wiggle the steering wheel without the key in. Turning the wheel then turning the key at the same time should do the trick.

 

yes. and unfortunately it did nothing

 

Just cut the wheels

 

That guy at the dealer is an idiot. There's nothing about the ignition lock that needs to be programmed. The imobilizer part of the ignition is just a plastic ring that sends the signal to the computer. That plastic ring is separate from the ignition lock. I replaced mine with an illuminated ring from a Camry and I didn't have to program anything.
Call around to your local independant locksmiths and find one that has experience working on Toyota locks. I think the problem is probably a broken wafer. It could also just be gummed up. Don't try to fix it yourself. Have it towed to a locksmith. If you have towing insurance on your insurance, use it.

 

Put a jack under the front end to get the wheels off the ground then try using the key. I would also try taking the key out and turning it 180 then putting it back in.

 

A few years back my Comanche did the same thing. I called a mechanic friend and he sprayed WD40 in the key hole. It worked until I put in a new lock.

 

This. Gave me a good scare because I was camped out by myself in the middle of nowhere but this eventually let me turn the key.

Edit: A buddy claimed this is an anti-theft deterrent (mine locked up when trying to turn the wheels while off). He said disconnecting and reconnecting the battery could have fixed it too.. worth a shot.

 

It's steering lock, it stops theft by making it harder to tow, the preload can make it harder to break the ignition as well, lastly you need to steer, if you pop the ignition switch or "hot wire" the truck you're still stuck trying to turn the wheel.

I would personally try to have a lock smith cut a key using the factory code (not trace the worn key) and see if a fresh key can unlock the ignition.

The steering lock "upper steering column bracket assembly" contains the key cylinder and transponder antenna that both can be transfered to the new steering lock.

It's held on by 2 sheer bolts that have to be removed by a small punch, the heads break off of them to help prevent theft.

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...eering~column~upper~w~switch~45020-04010.html

 

Any luck?

 

You have a spare key to try? If you have the key tag, buy a blank on ebay and have one cut. I seriously doubt thats the problem because my main key is so worn down I can pull it of the ignition with truck running. The 2 spare keys I got with the truck when I bought it brand new, that I never use both fit tight as a glove, and I cant pull them out.

Maybe try starting it in neutral. On the left of the shifter, there is a flat plast tab, pry it up, there is a button in there to release the shiter. Shift it into neutral and try to turn the key. Again, long shot, worth a try.

But I agree with above posts, it may just be bound up. Jurk the s*** out of steerling wheel, left/right/left/right hard and fast and go back in fourth turning the key real fast.

 

Try jacking up the front end, get tires off the ground and jurk steering wheel back and fourth hard while going back and fourth turning the key. If tires are turned like really far left are right, they may not be allowing enough play to unlock.

 

Turn the steering wheel hard in either direction then try to turn the key. My guess is the steering lock is under tension.

 

Do you have the ORIGINAL owners manual and case it came in? Its black leather with a flap that snaps? In it, on the flap, there is an emergency plastic key with some embedded metal slats, (I assume transponder) I just went try mine, it turns the ignition. Something else to test.

 

What engine? The v6 trucks have the immobilizer, the 4 cylinder trucks don't. Have you smacked the shifter as well?

 

The ignition was locked before the wheel was locked....I locked the wheel by jerking it back and forth. Ive tried jacking it up, jerking the wheel, calling a traveling locksmith ( who refused to go 40 miles....), ive done everything I could and that has been suggested. apperently this has been happening for a while and finally just will not turn, i did not know this since I drive an 04 taco and was informed only recently argghhhh... Im gonna call AAA today and have it towed to the nearest dealer 120 miles away.

 

I bet the dealer is gonna bone you. I would still take it to a locksmith. A good locksmith can do magic things that a dealer can't do.

 

I have a 2nd Gen Tacoma and to unlock the steering you must access the button beside the Park setting on your automatic shifter (I don't know about manual trucks). There's a little plastic square beside the P. Pry that up and Bingo! There's your button. Push that in and turn your key at the same time. You may have to jiggle your steering wheel. Yes, you may need three hands. Apparently, the steering lock is an anti-theft/anti-tow device. No one can unlock your steering without the immobilizer in your key.