locked steering column


DanQ

DanQ

GT Owner
Aug 18, 2005
336
Lake Zurich, IL
I parked the car the other day with the steering wheel turned slightly to the right.

Today I can't unlock the steering column, or turn the key. Tried the usual: jiggle the key, turn wheel from lock to lock, tilt the column,
but no joy.

Any other ideas?

Battery is charged.
 
Turn the wheel slightly while turning the key in ignition. This will unlock the steering wheel lock.
 
jiggle the key, turn wheel
Click to expand...

1. Make sure you have the right key.

2. Go do some more jiggling... you'll get it.
 
Thanks, tried both keys, both sides, over every mm of wheel movement, no luck.

Tomorrow I guess I'll try to jack it up and see if I can manually turn the front wheels to see if that lets the steering wheel release the sprag, or what ever is in the steering lock..
 
As soon as the key turns the wheel will unlock.
 
Jacked up the front, tires will turn the steering wheel but still no luck getting ignition to release. I don't want to put to much force on the steering wheel for fear of hurting the lock. So the obvious stuff didn't work.
 
Lock lubricant maybe...check what workshop manual says
 
You do have to give it a tug. Try it on one of your other vehicles.
 
I seem to remember somewhere that the GT has a Ford Focus steering column. This is a common problem with the Ford Focus. Maybe a look into their forums would help
 
I also see hitting the key with a hammer a good shot works, not for the faint of heart,
 
Get a new key cylinder. Good luck!
 
paul b said:
I seem to remember somewhere that the GT has a Ford Focus steering column. This is a common problem with the Ford Focus. Maybe a look into their forums would help
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think a new lock cylinder is in my future. I'm going to try vibrating the lock and then hitting it before I resort to a locksmith to drill the cylinder.
 
Maybe a little WD-40 sprayed into the cylinder under pressure may help
 
Key goes in all the way in smoothly, so it doesn't seem to be a lube issue, but I can try.

Does anyone know if the motorcraft SW6208 part has all the tumblers so I can re-key with my existing key? I haven't found the Strattec Ford Ignition Service Kit part number for the GT. It "seems like it is NOT" a Focus part (at least 2005 or 2006) which i think may be motorcraft SW6285 or strattec 707592

Strattec site doesn't list the GT as a model. so I can't confirm if the GT ignition is the same as a focus
 
Last edited:
Remember reading steering column was from Aston Martin

Google locked ford steering wheel

http://www.asap-locksmith-buffalo-ny.com/asap-how-to-unlock-car-steering-wheel.html

Lots sites with tips on steps to trouble shoot: hold wheel, pull key 1/16th out, springy v. Hard turn resistance, even vacuum to get lint out
 
Last edited:
DanQ said:
I parked the car the other day with the steering wheel turned slightly to the right.

Today I can't unlock the steering column, or turn the key. Tried the usual: jiggle the key, turn wheel from lock to lock, tilt the column,
but no joy.

Any other ideas?

Battery is charged.
Click to expand...

Any news yet?
 
Mine got "locked" on a slight incline parked uphill. It took quite a tug to get the key to unwedge. So technowhizzes, how do the purely electric/electronic keys work with the fob and the start button? Doesn't the steering column lock?
 
Newer cars

The locking wheel is an antitheft mechanism. If the newer electronic keys have it I haven't found it. You must insert physical key into column to u lock which is not needed in newer cars.
 
Just for giggles, try the key in the door to confirm your not somehow using a different key (just a shot). After that, I would continue on your current plan; jack up the front and try to relieve pressure on the column lock. I know a guy who can disable the column lock and start the car before you can your dry cleaning but we'd have to bail him out to get his help.
 
Ive done that... moving cars around, wrong key, fits in perfect, dont turn, WTF... oh right, this isnt the key....

Fubar said:
Just for giggles, try the key in the door to confirm your not somehow using a different key (just a shot).
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom