Steering wheel does not lock any more.

[Bad_dude]

Hello every one,
I have a 90 LX Sedan 4AT. I noticed that since I bought the car 4 years, ago, the steering has never lock after removing the key. Is it broken or some thing? Is it some thing I can fix easily or do I need to replace a part?
Please advice. I just notice that when I was working on my 99 Corolla and after I removed the key, turning the steering a little would click and lock it in.

Thanks.

[f2156]

Your car was probably stolen before. http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...ERING%20COLUMN

Part number 12 and 5 locks the steering wheel.

[Bad_dude]

Your car was probably stolen before. http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...ERING%20COLUMN

Part number 12 and 5 locks the steering wheel.

Thanks for the info, but the previous owner said no when I asked. I look at the steering colar, I would know if it was stolen. I have seen a few stolen cars and the ignition key area and the cover area is all mess up.

[Chris2388]

Did you forget that a stolen car can be repaired. Its just a few plastic parts and then it looks good as new.

[Bad_dude]

Did you forget that a stolen car can be repaired. Its just a few plastic parts and then it looks good as new.

I am just curious, is there a site that I can put my VIN number in to see the history if it was stolen or not?
The parts listed above are discontinued.
Thanks.

[Chris2388]

carfax.com

[HardInThePaint]

Did you forget that a stolen car can be repaired. Its just a few plastic parts and then it looks good as new.

If it were stolen and the the locking pin in the column was compromised, there is no repairing that. They have to replace the steering column (actually the collar).

If you remove the plastic cover and take a look at the column, on the bottom is a circular metal piece. That piece is made of some type of soft metal, if you were to pry that out a spring and a metal rod would fall out. Thats what locks the wheel. When you remove the key and turn the wheel a bit, the spring pushes the rod into the column to prevent it from being turned. My guess would be either the spring is somehow messed up or the mechanism itself is messed up somewhere between removing the key and activating the spring/rod. I would remove the ignition collar that is around the column, that would give you a good idea to what the deal is.

[Bad_dude]

If it were stolen and the the locking pin in the column was compromised, there is no repairing that. They have to replace the steering column (actually the collar).

If you remove the plastic cover and take a look at the column, on the bottom is a circular metal piece. That piece is made of some type of soft metal, if you were to pry that out a spring and a metal rod would fall out. Thats what locks the wheel. When you remove the key and turn the wheel a bit, the spring pushes the rod into the column to prevent it from being turned. My guess would be either the spring is somehow messed up or the mechanism itself is messed up somewhere between removing the key and activating the spring/rod. I would remove the ignition collar that is around the column, that would give you a good idea to what the deal is.

Thanks man. Would you have a close up pic of the actual item so I'll know what I am looking for?
Thanks.

[HardInThePaint]

Your car was probably stolen before. http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...ERING%20COLUMN

Part number 12 and 5 locks the steering wheel.

That isn't what locks the wheel. Those are just random ass brackets. The locking shit isn't even show on there anywhere.


This is the part I'm talking about, with the ignition and everything connected to it. Obviously, this is a pic of the steering wheel off and everything pretty much taken apart but you can get the point. Remove that and you can better see whats going on with the locking mechanism.

[f2156]

Lol. I dont remember correctly, but theres a square shape metal on the bracket, which locks on the steering columm.

[Bad_dude]

Other than the top and bottom cover, do I need to take any thing else off? I took off and didn't notice any thing as part 5 and 12.

Thanks.

[f2156]

I think the lock is in the ignition. I kind of remember it, the part that you circle should have a square shape on it, which locks on to the steering collum.

[illinois_erik]

Here is what locks the steering wheel when you lock up. Yours may just be sticky and not popping up or someone wrenched on the wheel and messed up the spring. you could spray some w/d 40 into the key hole, not a lot but a good dose and work the ignition: spray, key in unlock, turn wheel lock to lock, take out key and rotate the wheel till the chock engages, repeat. Good luck

[HardInThePaint]

^^^This is an excellent picture, since nobody understands what the hell is going on.

Other than the top and bottom cover, do I need to take any thing else off? I took off and didn't notice any thing as part 5 and 12.

That cover is just a cover. You have to remove the air bag, steering wheel, blinker assembly, ignition switch, etc. Don't pay any attention to that 5 and 12 bullshit.

Where I circled in black, those bolts need to be removed in order for you to remove the entire piece once you get to it. It looks as if the brackets were just cut in the pic but yeah you have to remove the bolts.

[Bad_dude]

I found this video on Youboob and I think this guy has trouble of the lock not releasing thus he had to remove the whole thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2J9rZUQNo

Thanks every one. It's pretty hot out there right now so I'll wait until the evening to look at it again.