Ignition/steering lock mechanism problem....

[rbellrbell]

son's 1997 4Runner

Lately, when attempting to start his car, the key/steering mechanism is jamming and seems to be worsening. Yestyerday it took my wife 20 minutes while at the supermarket before she could finally get the car started. I got in last evening - started right up. Problem is very sporiatic! Ant suggestions?

ReBell in Ms

 

[Ron Helmuth]

i'm little but no one ever called me an ant !

Park with the front wheels facing straight ahead-back into the space with the wheels pointed straight.

Avoid parking with steering wheel off center.

 

[004Gunner]

Definitely try to keep the wheel straight when parking. When it does jam up on you, move the wheel back and forth until the key turns (you may need to put some muscle into it). This issue carried over from the second gen and I have heard of some people having to get towed because of it (this is rare).

 

[T4RBoarder]

I had a 4Runner that did this...is the steering wheel locked when this happens or is it just you can't turn the key when you get in? My steering wheel would never be locked when it happened and I would just have to keep trying to turn the key until it finally worked. We could never did find out what happened to it.