Key won't turn?

[soulmn]

My wife just tried to take out my baby. She comes back in saying "I didn't do anything". My reply, "you obviously did something wrong". The key will no longer turn. I suspect she did something with the alarm, but have not had time to disconnect the battery and reset the system or look in the alarm manual. It happened two minutes ago. I have to go get the pizza now, so hopefully there might be a couple of insights when I get back. Thanks for the help.

PS it's not the steering lock, I checked that first

soulman

[EburgE]

It's the steering lock. Gotta be.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by soulmn

My wife just tried to take out my baby. She comes back in saying "I didn't do anything". My reply, "you obviously did something wrong". The key will no longer turn. I suspect she did something with the alarm, but have not had time to disconnect the battery and reset the system or look in the alarm manual. It happened two minutes ago. I have to go get the pizza now, so hopefully there might be a couple of insights when I get back. Thanks for the help.

PS it's not the steering lock, I checked that first

soulman

There's no physical anything to stop you from being able to turn the key associated with the alarm. The only thing I think it could be is either a bad key or lock cylinder. Or the steering lock.

[0o7]

Originally Posted by soulmn

My wife just tried to take out my baby. She comes back in saying "I didn't do anything". My reply, "you obviously did something wrong". The key will no longer turn. I suspect she did something with the alarm, but have not had time to disconnect the battery and reset the system or look in the alarm manual. It happened two minutes ago. I have to go get the pizza now, so hopefully there might be a couple of insights when I get back. Thanks for the help.

PS it's not the steering lock, I checked that first

soulman

I wouldn't think that it would have anything to do with the alarm system. As far as I know there is no mechanical device that would purposefully keep you from turning the key. Maybe your ignition fluid is low. .

[randyv]

If it's the steering column lock, try gently rocking the steering wheel back and forth while you try to turn the key. Sometimes the pressure on the lock mechanism is enough to prevent rotation of the lock cylinder. I have this problem with my VW Golf on a fairly frequent basis (at least once a week).

[azskycop]

My wife told me the same thing about my Passat a few weeks ago and that was the problem, a little pressure on the steering wheel and all was good. Let us know if that is all that was wrong.

[PsychoRallye]

Originally Posted by azskycop

My wife told me the same thing about my Passat a few weeks ago and that was the problem, a little pressure on the steering wheel and all was good. Let us know if that is all that was wrong.

I don't mean to sound pessemistic (but that's the kind of day I've had) -- don't people know what a steering lock is??

[Ian]

I think it's the tapered ignition roller bearings.

[soulmn]

My son is now in bed so I will attempt to trouble shoot. It is not the steering lock. The wheel was free the whole time till I moved it and it finally locked. Yes, I've had the steering lock prevent the ignition from turning in other cars. So I know it is not that. I will give the key hole a shot of lubricant to see if the pins are stuck. Probably the problem.

soulman

[soulmn]

It has to be something with the lock. Has anyone else noticed that when you take your key out you usually get a pretty decent click and then the power to the stereo shuts off. It's always been louder and heavier sounding than any of my other cars. That click is no longer there. The key slides too easily in and out of the lock. I've tried both keys and no love. I'll wait till morning and then give the dealer a call. This should be fun. Maplecrest is only 85 miles away.

soulman

[R T]

if it like the BMW's that loud click is the steering lock pin being released........ so in an emergency, where you need to shut the eng down with the key (stuck gas pedal), you don't inadvertantly lock the wheel in the process

[fastliz]

I have had this problem a few times. In my case, it was not a matter of the steering wheel "leaning" on the steering lock. Even after moving the wheel, the key would not turn. Only after taking the key in and out a few times and jiggling it, was I able to get it to finally turn. I will bring this up at my next service.

Mike

[scottyb]

I had the same problem a couple of months ago. It turned out that the key mechanism on the steering wheel needed to be replaced. I was told that this has happened to a number of Elise’s in England too. What is your Vin #. I bet a few of us got defective parts. It was an easy fix, they just swapped out a new key ignition mechanism and then swapped all the locks on the car.

[soulmn]

Scottyb, that's what it seems like. Thanks for the info.

Congrats on the turbo, I am trying to talk the wife into it before I am forced to leave the east coast. I've got a year and a half.

soulman

[huncher]

Originally Posted by soulmn

It has to be something with the lock. Has anyone else noticed that when you take your key out you usually get a pretty decent click and then the power to the stereo shuts off. It's always been louder and heavier sounding than any of my other cars. That click is no longer there. The key slides too easily in and out of the lock. I've tried both keys and no love. I'll wait till morning and then give the dealer a call. This should be fun. Maplecrest is only 85 miles away.

soulman

You do know that Maplecrest is no longer a Lotus dealer and does not do warranty work on the Elise?

[soulmn]

My vin # is 3320.

Scottyb, did you have to get towed? If so, did Lotus reimburse you for it? I should have a very nice tow bill when this is all done. It actually has to go from dover, DE up to Rothrock outside of Philly. I know, I accidently said Maplecrest earlier, I meant Rothrock.

The flatbed truck should be here this afternoon sometime.

soulman

[scottyb]

No I actually finagled my key in and got the car started and drove to HRM. When I got there, I told them to not take the key out or turn it otherwise the car couldn’t be started again.

I think my vin is 952

Originally Posted by soulmn

My vin # is 3320.

Scottyb, did you have to get towed? If so, did Lotus reimburse you for it? I should have a very nice tow bill when this is all done. It actually has to go from dover, DE up to Rothrock outside of Philly. I know, I accidently said Maplecrest earlier, I meant Rothrock.

The flatbed truck should be here this afternoon sometime.

soulman

[blondie]

Something like this happened to me the other day. In my case the cylinder was stuck in the in/out direction. I needed to insert the key, and push it in very hard to pop it loose. While in that stuck state, the steering wheel was not locked, and it wouldn't lock. I could turn the wheel as much as I wanted. It was weird, but hasn't happened since.

S

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by soulmn

It has to be something with the lock. Has anyone else noticed that when you take your key out you usually get a pretty decent click and then the power to the stereo shuts off.

soulman

I've had my stereo not turn off a few times. Stayed on till I gave the column a good whack underneath, that's probably why I now have a rattle under there

[blondie]

Originally Posted by choi0706

I've had my stereo not turn off a few times. Stayed on till I gave the column a good whack underneath, that's probably why I now have a rattle under there

Sounds like the same problem I had- the cylinder has a little bit of lateral movement for the "audio key-out" signal. Mine got stuck in the out position. Sounds like yours got stuck in the in position.

S