frozenpenguin

OK, my 3 week old TL is sitting in my garage right now. Only problem is I CAN'T START IT!!! AHHHHHHH!!!

I put the key in the ignition and it will not move at all. It feels like I'm going to break the key if I try to turn it. I can unlock the door with the key FOB, display tells me driver 1 detected, lights come on, everything looks normal, I just can't turn the key!!

Acura Roadside assistance tells me the only thing they can do is tow my car to the dealer. I really don't want to have to do that though. Does anyone have any ideas? Has this happened to anyone else?

HELP!!!!!

danno

Have you tried moving the steering wheel back and forth while trying to turn the key?

frozenpenguin

OK, I feel like such an ass. That did the trick! THANKS DANNO, YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!!!

¿GotJazz?

he problem is that with the anti-theft steering wheel locking, the system pushes back on the steering wheel. This keeps the key from turning properly.

JoganJani

Penguin, is this your first Acura. All Acura do this. When you park and take your keys out of the ignition, turn your steering in proper direction to click it in to a locked position.

svtmike

Every car I've ever had has done this under the right set of conditions.

Mike

moreace

ditto

just to clarify, by every car that is only 1 for me
Happens in all my friends cars though of all shapes, sizes, models, colors, price ranges............

rzwill2003

I remember when I was 16 and got my first car. It was a 96' Ford Escort. One day got in my car put key in the ignition and it wouldn't turn . I freaked out the same way you did. 10 MINS LATER I tried turning will then turned key and that did the trick. But it was scary I thought my car's starter was jammed.

svtmike

I just noticed this in the original plea for help. It's kind of sad that as a group we provided far more competent assistance than Acura Roadside Assistance did.

Mike

TLud

yeah, that would have been pretty ridiculous, towing the car all the way to the dealer, only to have one of the mechanics simply turn the wheel while turning the key. And that's pretty bad that Acura service people didn't know the answer to that one, whatever cars they personally drive.

frozenpenguin

That's exactly what I thought. The guy was talking about towing it, and I'm like, "Isn't there anything you can just tell me over the phone, I really don't want it towed." He said the only thing they can offer me is a tow to the nearest acura dealer. That's when I told him I'd pass on that and call back if I really needed it.

BTW - This is my first acura, but I'm 31 and have been driving since the early 80's. First time this has ever happened to me. I guess you learn something new every day.....

gordon_gekko

:lol2: :smackhead

svtmike

So, you've been driving automobiles since you were 9 or 10 years old?

Mike

frozenpenguin

I meant LATE 80's. 89 to be exact. I must still be freaked about about my car or something... :p

jjtags

Don't beat up on yourself... I believe I can speak for many here who have had something similar happen to them where the solution was as easy as turning the steering wheel or turning a know the other way or pushing something instead of pulling it.

I personally, went through what you did about a month after I picked up my 2002 TL-S. I just remembered by Dad had that happen to him in his 2000 Accord and we accidentally found the solution when I tried to help him and slipped while my hand was on the steering wheel while he was trying to turn the key. (As I slipped away from the car - he was in the driver's seat and I was standing outside the car beside him - I held onto the wheel and ended up turning it as I fell, then the key turned. Talk about a hard way to find the solution but we found it nonetheless. I have never forgotten that since. So, I try to turn the wheel first now when I can't turn the key (like in a new car or a rental)

I'm pretty sure you won't forget to do that from now on as well...

Modeler

I'm not surprised. These people are just phone operators whose job it is to dispatch help. That's it! They're not qualified in any way to answer technical questions.

svtmike

You're probably 100% correct about that. You'd think they'd have at least some minimal level of tech support available though to try and keep tow charges down.

Edit: now that I think about it some more, the tow truck operator probably would have figured it out.

Mike

RJG

Had the same problem. Was about to have it towed. Tried the simple jiggle steering wheel and turning key at same time. It broke it loose. I agree with other comment. You would think Acura service people would suggest this before a tow. I talked to two of them.

Anyway...

Thanks forum folks for the fix !

RJG