Please Help Me!

[JSJ13]

I recently purchased a 1997 4Runner, and today I have encountered a problem. After pulling alongside a curb, I turned off the ignition and realized my front wheels were pointing directly into the curb, which would make it difficult to pull out later. In a stupid move, I turned the steering wheel with the car off in an attempt to align the wheels correctly, and I ended up locking the steering wheel as well as the brake pedal. Help on how to fix this problem would be appreciated.

 

[dingo]

You may have just engaged the steering column lock. Place the gear shift in PARK, place the key back into the ignition, slightly turn the wheel, depress the brake pedal, and turn the key to the ON position. This should release the lock on the steering column.

 

[Thai]

Hehehe...always shocks you the first time this happens!

 

[Koz]

Sounds like you locked the steering wheel with ALLOT of return tension on the wheel. You will need to turn the wheel more in the same direction to release the pressure off the wheel lock. Turn the wheel in the same direction and then turn the key on.

Koz

 

[CVsGX470]

Hehehe...always shocks you the first time this happens!

Doesn't every car ever made do this???? Should we call the Men in Black for this one?

 

[Thai]

Doesn't every car ever made do this????

I think so. It has happened to me on several cars.

 

[jharris2]

I think so. It has happened to me on several cars.

You mean, some people never learn???