On this page we’re going to look into an issue that might sound trivial to most of you, but has happened to a lot of new drivers! In reality, we are going to talk about the subject of a steering wheel locked on my Ford Explorer, and how to proceed if you realise you are in this situation? It might appear obvious, but when you don’t know the cars in depth, finding yourself being confronted with the steering wheel of your blocked Ford Explorer can be disconcerting. On this page, we will first try to demonstrate why the steering wheel of your car is blocked, and secondly, how you can unlock the steering wheel of your Ford Explorer.
Why is the steering wheel of my Ford Explorer locked?
So let’s start our article with the origin of the problem you are facing. Being confronted with a steering wheel stuck on your Ford Explorer doesn’t signify that your car’s neiman is stuck or busted, nor does it automatically mean that you’ll have to fix your car key or cylinder. Fortunately for you, it’s simply a safety feature. However, if no one has explained to you how this car anti-theft system functions, you can’t invent it. The aim of this system is to lock the steering and therefore the steering wheel of your Ford Explorer, so a possible thief, even if he is able to to start your car, will not be able to change its direction and therefore to drive it freely with your Ford Explorer. This device functions basically, once you have removed the key from the cylinder of your car, if you move the steering wheel, it will lock thanks to a tongue that will be introduced between the sprockets of your steering column. This simple car anti-theft system stops a significant amount of car thefts, remember to activate it all the time you get out of your car.
How do I unlock the steering wheel of my Ford Explorer?
Now that we’ve learned why your steering wheel is locked, we’re going to check out the part that you’re almost certainly most serious about, how to unlock the steering wheel of your Ford Explorer? You’re almost certainly at home and want to go to work, so it’s time to discover the remedy to your problem. There are 3 techniques to unlock the steering wheel of your car:
- Disable the anti-theft system of your Ford Explorer?:
This is the least complicated procedure and will definitely be the remedy to your problem. To achieve this, you just have to put in the key into the ignition cylinder of your car, then try to turn it, it should then normally be blocked (do not be reluctant to consult our article content which solves the problem of a key blocked on aFord Explorer), to unlock the steering wheel of your Ford Explorer you will have to make it turn in the mean time as you try to turn the key in the Neiman. The steering wheel should be locked but at least in one direction you should have a little bit of play which should enable you to do this micro rotation and as a result resolve your steering wheel locked problem on your Ford Explorer. - Unscrew the barrel on your Ford Explorer:
The second possibility is that if you have not been able to cured the locked steering wheel of your Ford Explorer using the traditional method, you can be facing another problem and it is not your steering wheel lock device that is at fault. It can be that your cylinder has gripped up as time passes. To unlock it you will have to use a spray, like the WD40 for example and spray the interior of the barrel, let it perform for a few minutes before trying to unlock your steering wheel yet again. Take note that if it succeeds you will have to consider buying and swapping the barrel of your car because in the end it will happen again. - Change the lock cylinder of your Ford Explorer:
To finish, last possibility, if in spite of having tried to unblock your cylinder, there is nothing to do, your steering wheel continues to be locked because your key does not want to turn, you just have to change the ignition switch of your Ford Explorer. This process is not very complicated if you have some basics in mechanics. You will just have to take care to purchase a model suitable with your Ford Explorer. Otherwise go to your mechanic who will be able to do this process for you.
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If you want more tutorials on the Ford Explorer, go to our Ford Explorer category.