Hi,

I could not TURN the key to start the engine. The car is of 2002 TL and is in good shape so far and maintenance is being done so regularly. I just came back from work an hour ago and could not start the car now.

Any help appreciated and thanks for your time.

unix.

 

Wiggle the steering wheel while trying to turn the key. If you left the transmission in something other than park, shift it to "N" as well. I doubt it is necessary but press on the brake pedal a bit while trying to turn the key as well.

 

make sure its not in gear.

 

Hi,
Thanks to both of you. The car is in parking gear and I could not shift it. I tried to start with pressing the brake which did not help. I will try steer the wheel and will be back.

Thanks once again for your help and time.

regards,

Srini/-

 

Hi cominfromafar/nayaab88,
Thanks for the help.
I was able to start the car as usually when I steered the wheel a bit. Thanks for your help. Any thoughts why this was happened ?. My life would have become miserable if this is happened when I am far away from my home.
Have a great day.
Unix.

 

dont park with the wheel cranked hard all the way to one side- that engages the steering lock at a bad angle and you get stuck- as you now know

If it happens to anyone else- just turn the wheel slightly to relieve the tension

 

yeah my old camry used to get locked like that too.

also, a worn key wont be able to turn either. it'll unlock the doors but wont turn in the ignition. be sure to keep an eye on that too

 

its okay. my girlfriend's friend's rdx did this and she had no idea what happened..she called asking why she cant start the car and was zzin out sayin "its a brand new car, what did i do?! what did i do?!" lol i thot it was funny

 

Happens to me every now and then. Except my old solution was just to turn the key harder. After turning the key harder and seeing the steering wheel jerk once the key successfully rotated, figured the steering lock was the reason and now I just play with the wheel a bit.

 

I think this is normal and happens if you turn the steering wheel after you've removed the key (or put it in "Lock"). Its a steering lock, supposedly for anti-theft. As you've discovered, moving the steering wheel while turning the key will put everything back to normal.