My car is parked on a 10 degree hill, nose higher than trunk. It is staying parked.
The key will not turn and I cannot get the car out of park. The steering wheel turns just fine (well, with difficulty, but that’s how it normally turns when the engine is off), and the wheels move when the steering wheel moves.
I did not use a parking break when I parked the car last night. It was suggested to me that I was in torque lock, so I had another car try to push me forward a bit (maybe 6 inches) while I tried to get the car out of park. Didn’t work.
1998 Chevy Malibu LS, automatic, shifter on the floor.
(1) Anyone have any clue what is wrong?
(2) Any idea how much this is going to cost me? I don’t have AAA.
Sounds like the automatic security measure that kicked in w/ my old car after some neighborhood jackass tried to steal it. You’re likely gonna need a mechanic or a locksmith, but if it’s what happened to me, it’s not an amazingly difficult procedure- only takes a minute or two (granted, I still had to get my car towed because of all the other dammage said vandal had done to it, but the lock problem was quickly and easilly solved)
There is a ratchet and pawl devise in your transmission that locks it up in park, it should slip out easily but since you are on a hill I think it kind of rolled back and jammed it kind of hard, my suggestion is to use brute force to get it out of park, or have somebody push on your car while you try move the shifter.
There is a ratchet and pawl devise in your transmission that locks it up in park, it should slip out easily but since you are on a hill I think it kind of rolled back and jammed it kind of hard, my suggestion is to use brute force to get it out of park, or have somebody push on your car while you try move the shifter.
Something is not right here (duh Rick!)
A 98 Chevy should have a steering wheel lock. When the key is out the steering should either be locked or should lock as soon as the wheel is turned. Yet you say the wheels turn.
This sounds to me like the steering lock is not engaging, and the ignition lock tumbler is FUBAR.
If however the movement of the steering wheel is limited then by turning the wheel against the stop (may require some force) it should allow the the key to turn, and steering wheel lock to disengage.
Unless I’m very mistaken, I think this is the key to the problem:
I’m having a hard time understanding how the hill would have anything to do with it. It seems like a coincidence.
If the key has not moved from the “Off” position, then the steering wheel should not turn, as Rick has said. It should be locked, or at best only able to turn a few degrees before it locks.
Make sure that you are actually trying to turn the key while turning the steering wheel, to relieve the pressure like Gary T says.
Other than that, impossible to say what is the real issue. I would guess a new ignition switch is needed ($200 - $400 including labour), plus a tow ($60 - $200, depending on the city and circumstances).
Thanks all, it appears to have been something with the ignition. Apparently Geiko will pay for mechanical repair for these types of things (after a $250 deductable), so I let them tow it to a shop and they are going to fix it. I’m too tired to think straight, but I’ll report back with more details when I remember…
Sounds like the ignition lock… which can be repaired or replaced by a locksmith on sight. If the wheel will turn slightly then it is not binding the lock.
GM wheels do lock, there is a push rod that comes up and when the lockplate (A dish with notches) turns to line up with the rod the wheel then becomes locked.
Personal plug… call a locksmith they can come out to the vehicle and take care of the job most times right then and there… better than a tow fee and having it in the shop a few days.
Osip, wish I would have had your post last month. The garage overcharged me on a couple of items, including the ignition column (which is what was wrong). Anyway, I don’t post in this formum anymore due to inappropriate moderators.