88 Camry - Can't unlock Steering Wheel

[mcamphr]

My 88 camry 285K has had issues typical issues with Key coming out and an electrical draw draining the batter - traced it to the ignition however in my rush to test this I put the key in and locked the steering wheel - although the key comes out I can't unlock the steering wheel nor with the key in turn it past the lock position. I already bought a new ignition lock - but how do I get the steering wheel unlocked?

Thanks in advance!

Martin
Oregon

[holmesnmanny]

On mines you have to push the button at the top of ignition in in order to turn the key "completely" off. You can remove the key even while the car is on but in order to turn off all accessories you must push the button in and remove the key.

What could be happening is that you are removing the key without turning the key completely off after pressing the button and accessories stays on and something drains your battery.

[Sturdavj]

I checked my Toyota Factory Service Manual (FSM), not much here for key / ignition removal, short of pulling the steering column apart.

Not sure what you have in HR in the way of a wrecking yard, but you may want to check with them to see what they do, and if they might have one already opened up.

Good luck & welcome aboard

[mcamphr]

Thanks - it is definitely stuck - button doesn't depress anymore to release the steering wheel. Looks like the button part of the ignition lock has a connector to it with two screws - might be able to pull those out with a "L" screwdriver - I wonder if that would give me access to the lock mechanism? I'll let you know how that goes.. thanks for the replies.

[holmesnmanny]

Normally if you can get the key in and turn it you can remove the ignition cylinder by pushing the very small button in with a tiny screwdriver to remove the cylinder without having to take apart the steering column or drilling anything out.

['88 All-Trac]

Can you wiggle the steering wheel? If it is resting against one of the locks, the key will not turn...

Sounds like a simple idea but it has defeated me a couple of times. We have a Jeep that has a tendency to silently lock the wheel and it's freaked me out more than once.

[Jimnist]

As some said, your key is probably worn - allowing you to take the key out without it being in the 'off' position. There is a black button which you need to press to spin the key into the 'off position' and release the key.

If it's in 'off', again as mentioned, try jiggling the wheel while turn the key to on. That might free it.

Short of that, you're going to have to just take off the old ignition barrel and replace it with the new one. You'll need a chisel and hammer to undo the shear bolts. Might have to remove the steering wheel for more working space.

I've never heard of pressing a small button that will remove the ignition cylinder.

[mcamphr]

Well - gone from bad to worse. As it was the lock cylinder was definitely stuck in the lock position - could pull the key but not turn the wheel or the key while it was in the lock. No amount of button pressing, jiggling, rocking the vehicle jacked up the front end (to relieve pressure) would would work. As it was - I should have taken a well needed break had a beer and come back at it the next day! But I took my hammer to the black button and broke that off altogether - disassembled the the wired side of the ignition (just one screw) and pounded the part that fit into the wired part - that did pop out the ignition lock - even out of the car - the key still wouldn't turn. Popped the new ignition cylinder in place and made sure to file the part I pounded as that wouldn't fit back into the wired part of the ignition - - made sure to test it by using a flat head screw driver to turn the wired part of the ignition and it does start. But, since I mangled part of the ignition housing the new lock cylinder when installed doesn't let the key turn far enough to the right to actually start the car. The key will rotate to the ON position but needs just a bit more rotation to actually start the car and it won't get there when installed. I was intending to sell this car this month but not I'm faced with a choice :

** add in start button and install that in the dash or
** face the prospect that I will need to replace the steering column

Any suggestions?

Thanks -

The Mangler from Hood River