2007 Yaris Sedan S Ignition won't turn

[koharegistrar1]

Help! I've called the Toyota dealer and I've tried what they've suggested to do. First, it's very cold where I am at. I went to try and start my car and the key won't even turn in the ignition. I tried moving the steering wheel to the left and right back and forth while trying to turn the key and nothing. I used a blowdryer thinking that maybe it was frozen - no such luck, tried WD40, nothing, the key wouldn't budge. I made sure that the transmission was indeed in park and still nothing. Now I'm stuck with no way, other then towing my car to the dealer which is about 40 miles away. I've never experienced this before. It's acting like how it works when your outside door lock to the car door is frozen.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by koharegistrar1

Help! I've called the Toyota dealer and I've tried what they've suggested to do. First, it's very cold where I am at. I went to try and start my car and the key won't even turn in the ignition. I tried moving the steering wheel to the left and right back and forth while trying to turn the key and nothing. I used a blowdryer thinking that maybe it was frozen - no such luck, tried WD40, nothing, the key wouldn't budge. I made sure that the transmission was indeed in park and still nothing. Now I'm stuck with no way, other then towing my car to the dealer which is about 40 miles away. I've never experienced this before. It's acting like how it works when your outside door lock to the car door is frozen.

Did you try a different key (and/or does the key still work in the door locks)?

[slvryaris]

Mine does that sometimes but it is just where the steering wheel is locked. Just try turning the wheel as much as you can to the left or back and forth while trying to turn the key but dont force turning the key.

[b_hickman11]

If you look in your owners manual it will tell you what to do in this situation. If you look down on the middle console where your gear shifter is, you should see a little square shaped piece that is right above the shifter. If you pop that little cover off and stick your key in there, it should fix your problem.

[1stToyota]

...unless the steering column is jammed. I helped a lady in a parking lot recently because she bumped the curb, slammed it into gear and turned the key to lock position, all in one fluid motion. I had to turn the steering wheel with a lot of force, while turning key with normal amount of force. When I finally put enough pressure on the steering wheel the key turned with no effort...but I nearly dislocated my left shoulder when the steering wheel broke free from being in a bind.

[Doug007]

Originally Posted by b_hickman11

If you look in your owners manual it will tell you what to do in this situation. If you look down on the middle console where your gear shifter is, you should see a little square shaped piece that is right above the shifter. If you pop that little cover off and stick your key in there, it should fix your problem.

This sounds like the likely culprit - had a similar issue in a Mazda 626. Let us know what happens.

[YarisSedan]

Lucky your in warrenty. Ignition locks are a pain in the ass if you can not turn the key. Usually requires removal of the entire steering colum and possible help from a drill to remove it.

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by Doug007

This sounds like the likely culprit - had a similar issue in a Mazda 626. Let us know what happens.

But putting the key in the console slot is to move the shifter, not the ignition lock, correct? I always thought that was for times such as needing to be towed, but couldn't get car out of park because interlock switch wouldn't work due to a dead battery, bad connection, etc...