Today we’re going to focus on a problem that may look superficial to many of you, but has happened to a lot of new drivers! In fact, we are going to focus on the subject of a steering wheel locked on my Toyota 4Runner, and what to do if you realise you are in this scenario? It may look logical, but when you don’t know the cars in depth, finding yourself struggling with the steering wheel of your blocked Toyota 4Runner can be disconcerting. In this article, we will first try to demonstrate why the steering wheel of your car is blocked, and additionally, how you can unlock the steering wheel of your Toyota 4Runner.

steering-wheel-locked toyota-4runner

Why is the steering wheel of my Toyota 4Runner locked?

So let’s begin our content page with the source of the trouble you are standing in front of. Being confronted with a steering wheel stuck on your Toyota 4Runner doesn’t suggest that your car’s neiman is stuck or busted, nor does it always imply 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 role of this device is to lock the steering and consequently the steering wheel of your Toyota 4Runner, so a possible thief, whether or not he is able to to turn on your car, will not be able to modify its direction and consequently to drive it freely with your Toyota 4Runner. This device functions simply, 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 good number of car thefts, don’t forget to activate it whenever you get out of your car.

How do I unlock the steering wheel of my Toyota 4Runner?

Now that we’ve learned why your steering wheel is locked, we’re going to look at the part that you’re probably most interested in, how to unlock the steering wheel of your Toyota 4Runner? You’re probably at home and want to go to work, so it’s time to discover the solution to your trouble. There are 3 approaches to unlock the steering wheel of your car:

  • Turn off the anti-theft system of your Toyota 4Runner?:
    This is the least complicated procedure and will definitely be the remedy to your trouble. To do this, you just have to insert the key into the ignition cylinder of your car, then try to turn it, it should then normally be blocked (do not think twice to consult our report which resolves the problem of a key blocked on aToyota 4Runner), to unlock the steering wheel of your Toyota 4Runner you will have to make it turn at the same 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 allow you to do this micro rotation and as a result resolve your steering wheel locked trouble on your Toyota 4Runner.
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  • Unscrew the barrel on your Toyota 4Runner:
    The second probability is that if you have not been able to manage the locked steering wheel of your Toyota 4Runner using the usual technique, you might be standing in front of another trouble and it is not your steering wheel lock device that is to blame. It might be that your cylinder has seized up over the years. To unlock it you will have to employ a spray, like the WD40 for example and spray the interior of the barrel, let it operate for a matter of minutes before trying to unlock your steering wheel yet again. Bear in mind that if it functions you will have to consider buying and changing the barrel of your car because eventually it will happen again.
  • Change the lock cylinder of your Toyota 4Runner:
    To finish, last probability, if despite having tried to unblock your cylinder, there is nothing to do, your steering wheel remains locked because your key does not want to turn, you just have to swap the ignition switch of your Toyota 4Runner. This process is not very complex if you have some basics in mechanics. You will just have to be careful to buy a model compatible with your Toyota 4Runner. Otherwise go to your mechanic who will be able to do this process for you.

If you wish more tutorials on the Toyota 4Runner, go to our Toyota 4Runner category.