Steering Wheel and Ignition Key Locked, 2001 Tacoma

Drove my 2001 Taco, extended cab,4wd,5mt, approximately 320,000 miles, to lunch yesterday. When I returned after eating, both the ignition key and the steering wheel were locked. This has happened several times in the past when I turned of the motor with the wheels turned to either the right or left; I was able to wiggle the steering wheel and the ignition key to get the truck started.
This time though the wheels were nearly straight, not pushed against anything, but I could not get the damn thing to unlock so that I could turn the key. I had it towed to my favorite car repair place. The owner of the repair shop climbed into the truck and it started immediately. Being 67 and having done worse many times, I was not embarrassed.
The problem is that I no longer trust the truck. We're in the middle of winter here in Iowa and the temperature right now is 9 degrees. This is a potentially dangerous situation.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thanks, Glen

 

Lock issue. Toyotas of this generation used a split wafer design on the x217 keyway to increase security. As the lock internals and keys wear, they malfunction creating ultimate security against everyone including the owner. Usually most commonly used locks like ign and drivers side door fail. I rebuilt these everyday when I was a locksmith. Charged 45-75 depending on if I was removing it from car (very simple if key turns). Work consists of removing split wafers and replacing wholes and recutting keys to code. Temporary cheap fix could be to grab your key code and have an ew key cut by code $25. Very possible to do the full rebuild yourself.

Found this link with pictures:

 

lock issue, take all your locks to a locksmith and have him rekey to something new instead of making a key from something worned out.

 

This happened to my 1996 Tacoma once, and on my wife's 96 RAV4 twice. It is as others have said, in that it is the ignition lock cylinder. What I have done on both of our 96 vehicles, is I just replaced the entire ignition lock cylinder. These are about $85 for one that cannot be individually keyed [keyed the same as original key] but I go for the more expensive one at about $135, that can be keyed to fit original key. That way, I don't have to carry two keys. But I know when I bought my truck originally, I put away one of the original keys, along with the key number tag that came with keys back then, so when I replaced mine, I was able to use this original key for the locksmith to make new keys for my new ignition lock assembly. Then, I put that original key back in the drawer, and I can continue to use the same old key I have been using for years. I highly recommend just replacing the ignition lock cylinder. Hey, do it right!

 

Here is an off the wall "solution" for you. Swap keys with your wife. Guys carry them in pockets, women in their purses, therefore less wear on theirs.

 

replacing the ignition lock cylinder is an easy job. You can go factory, $$$$$ or aftermarket, $ for the IGN lock cylinder. THE problem as mentiond above is that as they keys loose their ridges the split wafer design fails and the key wont turn. Today it is the ignition, tomorrow it is the drivers door, then the gas cap lock... If you are comfortable with just replacing the ignition lock cylinder and having a different key just for ignition, go for it but you have another issue if you loan the truck to someone... they will put the wrong key in the wrong place and the possibility of them twisting it off trying to overpower the lock. I take a grinder to the head of the key to differentiat the IGN key from all others.

 

First off...stop driving 320,000 mi to lunch and back. Sorry couldn't resist....
As others have said, it's your lock cylinder, it's worn out.
Cheers, Jeff

 

You can also do the cheap ass way, (as I’ve done before) and just have a spare set of keys that you always keep in your glove box. Gracias

 

I know this sounds dumb but take your key out flip it 180 the try again Haha. Mine does this alot and if that doesn't work I barely put the key in and turn it left to bend it a little (don't kill it and break your key off). After starting the truck so many times it tweaks my key just enough that it won't let me unlock the steering wheel or turn the ignition. Pretty sure it's like auto anti theft because no one would be able to figure out how to get it started .