My steering wheel is locked and I can't turn the key in the ignition. I have tried moving the steering wheel and turning the key at the same time and still nothing. please help. how do i get the steering to unlock? 1969 VW Beetle

Try to turn the steering back or forward little if you feel loose then hold and turn the key.

Mai Lor

First thing make sure it isnt just the steering wheel lock, move the steering wheel back and forth while trying to turn key. I that doesnt work it is most likely the key and tumbler. Over time it is normal to experience wear. The solution is to replace the key and tumbler in the steering column.

I'm assuming you mean your key wont turn in the ignition. first off check to make sure the car is in park. then what you gotta do is put in the key and put a little pressure as if turning but dont turn too hard, then even though the steering wheel is locked you will have to try to move it a little, if you parked with your tires turned then you will want to try to turn the wheel in the same direction, (even locked you should be able to move it about a half inch) you will have to turn the wheel hard but it should move enough to allow the key to turn, you may have to jiggle the key a little in the ignition but it should eventually turn, just remember not to try turning the key too hard, the extra force wont make it go but can cause the key to break. this tends to happen when you turn the car off andthe steering wheel gets locked if the wheels are turned hard in either direction. also if multiple attempts at this still dont work, try taking the key out and turning it over and trying again. Even though both sides of the key are identicle, because of wear on the key and the ignition, sometimes when the wheel locks the ignition, it will only turn if the key is put in a certain way. Hope this helps, good luck

The steering wheel was turned when the key was removed. So when you try to turn on the key, turn the wheel one way and the other way to release the pressure on the key. The key should turn ok.
Hope this helps.

sometimes if the steering wheel turned too far when u turn it off turn turning the key and moving the steering at the same time also make sure it is in park

Before turning the key, try moving the steering wheel back and forth while turning the key. Sometimes on power steering equipped vehicles when they are turned off and the wheel isn't straight, it will put excess pressure on the ignition lock cylinder. Moving the steering wheel may ferr it up.

your steering wheel lock is connected to ignition in column, pull hard on steering wheel in direction wheels are turned at the same time turn key, this should free them both up.

To fix your problem, you have to turn the steering wheel either to the left or right as much as you can, then try to turn the key in the ignition. When the steering wheel locks, the key won't turn. By manually holding the steering wheel out of the lock position, the key will turn again and you're steering column will be back to normal. Also try holding the brake pedal down and turning the key and steering wheel at the same time

Try pressing the key down little bit while you are trying to turn it towards ignition, at the same time slowly turning the steering wheel clockwise and counter clockwise ( it's locked but it still moves a little bit), it should release the steering wheel lock. hope it helps
p.s please rate the answer if you found it helpful, i need it for my ratings, thanks!

Your steering wheel is locked in place. You need to put the key into the ignition, then turn the steering wheel more towards the way it is already turned and try turning the key then in the ignition. The steering wheel should move ever so slightly and it should free up the ignition. Let me know how this turns out.



Benjamin