1997 Honda Accord Steering Wheel - Will not unlock

WILLIAMSVAUGHT

MEMBER
1997 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
173,000 MILES

Purchasing this car this weekend if this is an easy solve.
When I put the key in the ignition,
and try to turn it, the key will not turn. When the steering wheel is shaked and jarred for several minutes OCCASIONALLY, the steering wheel lets go in order to turn the key and start. Key I believe is electronic. Carfax clear no accidents, one owner
> Please provide any possible problems, my husband will go to the place and work on it himself prior to purchase.

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi williamsvaught,

Thank you for the donation.

I have here an article from a Honda Technical Bulletin and hope it helps.

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 11:01 AM

WILLIAMSVAUGHT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

This is not a simple straighten the wheel situation.
This is a pulling jarring yanking by grown men multiple 15-20 times to unlock in order to turn the key.

The car tires ARE straight (first thing tried and done)
Yes - foot on break (the obvious).

The really problem is the yanking and pulling for several several minutes. What is the solve, not the problem? Thanks,
Kathy

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 11:19 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi Kathy,

The steering locking might not relate to the position of the road wheels as during installation of the steering column it might be away from the locked position.

When turning the steering, one side should have free travel while the other would be stiff as the locking pin is obstructing.

If turning the steering away towards the free travel side does not release the lock pin, then the steering lock would have to be replaced to solve the problem as the locking mechanism should be bad or worn.

When you are able to free the lock, remove the key and retry without turning the steering wheel to lock. If problem is still there, then the key cylinder is bad, not the lock. Try a few times to confirm as sometimes a bad key cylinder might work for a few tries then gets stauck again.

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 2:29 PM