Honda Odyssey Forum banner

Can’t turn wheel and can’t turn key

3090 Views 71 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Reaz
Hello
Really need some help. I have a 2006 Odyssey that is about 270KM and the steering wheel and the key will not turn. The wheel will turn only 5 degrees to one end but it’s very hard. I tried moving the wheel while trying two keys, one about 1 year old. Tried slightly hitting the key in, using wd40, moving the key in and out but nothing. The wheel is straight and the steering is I believe in the Center.

Now is there a way to unlock the wheel if I took the panel around the steering out? The bottom panel is difficult to remove. Still trying with that.

Also would this be a cylinder issue or the ignition issue or both? Can the cylinder be fixed if it’s the issue?

I went through all the related posts but nothing works for me.

thanks
1 - 20 of 72 Posts
Can you shift it out of park into neutral?

Are you parked on an incline right now?
Yes I can and I tried that but it didn’t work. I’m no a flat road.
On a 2003 Ody, you can insert your key or similar into a covered slot on the plastic cover on the steering column near the dash, The small cover just lifts up. That should unlock the steering wheel. WHOOPS!!! I believe that unlocks the shifter and not the steering wheel.


Look for that little , maybe a 3'4" rectangular cover to find that slot on the steering column cover.

"Thankfully, it’s easy to unlock your steering wheel. You’ve probably done it by accident already without even realizing it. To unlock the wheel on your Honda:

  • Pull down in the same direction you yanked the wheel when you initially locked it.
  • If you’re not sure which direction to go, try both directions. You’ll know the correct direction when you feel the wheel move a bit.
  • While holding your wheel in the correct direction, put your key into the ignition and start your car. If the wheel remains locked, your car doesn’t start, or both, try turning the wheel the other direction and repeating this step. One or the other has to work.
  • Voilà: you now have an unlocked steering wheel!
And remember, yanking down on the wheel while getting in or out of your car is what’s causing the Honda steering lock to engage. If you can avoid using the wheel for leverage, you should do so."



Buffalo4
See less See more
Hi @Buffalo4 the 2006 also has that but it did not work. I think I tried all so I’m now trying to see if by taking the panels out I may be able unlatch something if it’s that simple but maybe not.
Just brainstorming here, but I wonder if you try rocking the van back and forth as if it were stuck in mud if that would free up the transmission to allow the steering wheel to unlock?
@thscott i did not try that but I definitely will. Is it the transmission that is locking the steering wheel or the ignition part?
I edited my original post and this is the latest. That key insert works for the shift lever and not the steering wheel.
My misetake.
I found the below on the Internet. Try it.

"Thankfully, it’s easy to unlock your steering wheel. You’ve probably done it by accident already without even realizing it. To unlock the wheel on your Honda:

  • Pull down in the same direction you yanked the wheel when you initially locked it.
  • If you’re not sure which direction to go, try both directions. You’ll know the correct direction when you feel the wheel move a bit.
  • While holding your wheel in the correct direction, put your key into the ignition and start your car. If the wheel remains locked, your car doesn’t start, or both, try turning the wheel the other direction and repeating this step. One or the other has to work.
  • Voilà: you now have an unlocked steering wheel!
And remember, yanking down on the wheel while getting in or out of your car is what’s causing the Honda steering lock to engage. If you can avoid using the wheel for leverage, you should do so."
See less See more
I edited my original post and this is the latest. That key insert works for the shift lever and not the steering wheel.
My misetake.
I found the below on the Internet. Try it.

"Thankfully, it’s easy to unlock your steering wheel. You’ve probably done it by accident already without even realizing it. To unlock the wheel on your Honda:

  • Pull down in the same direction you yanked the wheel when you initially locked it.
  • If you’re not sure which direction to go, try both directions. You’ll know the correct direction when you feel the wheel move a bit.
  • While holding your wheel in the correct direction, put your key into the ignition and start your car. If the wheel remains locked, your car doesn’t start, or both, try turning the wheel the other direction and repeating this step. One or the other has to work.
  • Voilà: you now have an unlocked steering wheel!
And remember, yanking down on the wheel while getting in or out of your car is what’s causing the Honda steering lock to engage. If you can avoid using the wheel for leverage, you should do so."
The key has to be turned from the Lock position to the ON position .maybe even the ACC position to get the steering wheel lock to disengage and probably needs the brake pedal stepped on at the same time.
Sorry for the misinfo.
Buffalo4
@Buffalo4 I saw that also and did the exact same but it does not work. The wheel can only move like 5deg to the right but it’s very hard. I moved it and tried starting but nothing. Slowly I let it go back to the left and tried but still no luck. Did the same with both keys just in case. The wheel when moved to the right will on it own rotate back to the left. Does that mean anything?
Font Parallel Number Electric blue Rectangle

Page 134 in the 2006 owners manual,
I have nothing else.
Sorry,
I don't know about the steering wheel coming back to the Left when the pressure is released.
Does the 'green key' appear on the dash?
Buffalo4
See less See more
Haven’t noticed a green key. The key is in the Lock(0) position and won’t move. The two front wheels are straight. Thanks for your help really appreciate it. Tomorrow I’m going to try pushing the van to see if it unlocks. I’m now thinking the cylinder where the key goes in may be defective since the key works opening and closing the door.
Uhh, are you sure you have the right key?
Yeah, only have one Honda van.
Still fighting with this. I’m not able to remove the lower steering wheel panel. I saw posts that said the wheel needs to be up and it will come out but for the 2006 that does not work. I sort of removed the panel below, I think it’s called the kick panel, but still cannot remove the lower wheel panel. Doing this I’m hoping to remove the key cylinder and take to a locksmith.
Take a good look at the key. Honda keys are known to wear out. You may need a new key unless the key cylinder is really locked up.
I replaced one of the keys last year. I would assume it’s still good. I think the cylinder is the problem if I could just get the lower panel off.
Wiggle the key when inserted - up and down, left-right, here-there, in number 8 pattern...and try to turn it.
IF the ignition lock is indeed worn, see if you can buy used lock set (doors, glove compartment, rear hatch and ignition with keys) and replace the old ones with "new" ones.
If you'd replace only ignition lock, you'll end up with 2 keys - one for doors, another for ignition.

Also, just a side note,: if you keep your ignition key on the key chain with other keys (home, locker, bike, mailbox, etc) those keys will be heavy and will stress the ignition lock. In some make/models that extra weight wears delicate plastic parts in ignition lock and it malfunctions and breaks.
I did the wiggle thing a number of times but that failed. I suspecting the cylinder. Can that be fixed if I happen to get it out without replacing the entire part? I’m hoping to spend the lease amount of $$ on this.
2
Could it be fixed? We must find out what "it" is. IF the pins (metal) are word - locksmith. if the plastic "levers" or "seats" on the switch itself are work, than that's the switch.
I don't know how the Honda's switch looks like, but i suspect it plastic.
VW's ignition switches were prone to breaking and wearing or cracking.
OR.... could it be just a wiring to/from ign. switch?
switch (assuming 2005 model):
Toy Snout Personal protective equipment Art Metal


the whole assy:
Lego Toy Machine Font Fictional character
See less See more
1 - 20 of 72 Posts
Top