Can't turn the ignition switch.

NewTruckGuy22 · 07-11-2005, 06:18 PM

My wife borrowed my 5 day old Titan to go to the store.
Later she called thinking she broke the truck because she couldn't turn the ignition switch.

Come to find out you need to move the steering wheel a bit before the ignition will turn.
Well, this is news to me and the first time myself or my wife encountered this problem with any vehicle.

Well, it happened again today. I had to had to really struggle to turn the wheel to the left.... ignition wouldn't budge..... turn it to the right.... still not budging.... did this a few times each time almost lifting myself off the seat trying to turn the damn wheel. Eventually it the ignition would turn.

Who else experienced this?
Is this normal?
After 20 years of driving and never encountering this, I find it strange to encounter it twice within 3 days.

m95roadster · 07-11-2005, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewTruckGuy22

My wife borrowed my 5 day old Titan to go to the store.
Later she called thinking she broke the truck because she couldn't turn the ignition switch.

Come to find out you need to move the steering wheel a bit before the ignition will turn.
Well, this is news to me and the first time myself or my wife encountered this problem with any vehicle.

Well, it happened again today. I had to had to really struggle to turn the wheel to the left.... ignition wouldn't budge..... turn it to the right.... still not budging.... did this a few times each time almost lifting myself off the seat trying to turn the damn wheel. Eventually it the ignition would turn.

Who else experienced this?
Is this normal?
After 20 years of driving and never encountering this, I find it strange to encounter it twice within 3 days.

I believe most cars do this. If you turn the wheel without the key it will lock.

imjustdamngood · 07-11-2005, 06:23 PM

thats normal, i think its a safety feature or something. you might want to hit the gym though if it was hard for you cause all you have to do is try to turn it normal and turn the ignition key and it will fire right up.

HudsonValleyTitan · 07-11-2005, 06:36 PM

It is normal but she must be turning the truck off while the steering wheel is turned hard to one side or the other. Normally you wouldn't notice it.

jerry426 · 07-11-2005, 06:57 PM

.....to let go of the steering wheel while engine is still running and allow it to "relax" to wherever it wants to sit. Then turn off engine and remove key. A close relative destroyed the steering column and steering wheel lock in my then brand-new 1990 Maxima by not understanding the technique of taking the tension off the lock prior to turning the key.

overdose · 07-11-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

It is normal but she must be turning the truck off while the steering wheel is turned hard to one side or the other. Normally you wouldn't notice it.

What he said

DeTitan · 07-11-2005, 08:35 PM

[quote=jerry426].....to let go of the steering wheel while engine is still running and allow it to "relax" to wherever it wants to sit. QUOTE]

Remember the movie 2001... well there is a HAL there in every Titan. Demands and gets fierce and blind loyalty from the faithful, be very careful not to cross HAL or rush the Titan HAL, let it "relax" before you cut off the juice!

phlydude · 07-12-2005, 08:55 AM

I remember my parent's old GM cars all had steering locks that were easy to get to lock, a little turn would have it clicking into place. My experience with the Japanese roots vehicles that the sterring wheel will turn about 1/4 of the way before locking. If it locks up and the key won't turn, jiggle it back and forth while turning the key to allow it to release the key so you can start the vehicle. This is normal.