Honda Car Forum

Here's a head scratcher that probably makes me sound stupid but none the
less still need help. Noticed a screw in the front tire so I changed the
tire. I went to turn the key so I can use my tire inflator (to plug into
the lighter plug) and the key won't turn. Just beeps like the key is in the
ignition and reminds you to take it out. Doesn't turn one way or another,
totally locked. Tried a spare key still no luck. FOB still works fine. I
have no idea what I did. Took off the old tire put on the spare. Did it
before and the car started. Lucky this time it is in my garage and not on
the side of the highway.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. 2002 Civic Sedan LX (Canadian).

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 00:47:09 GMT, "Compu-Z" <tonym@compu-z.com> wrote:

>Here's a head scratcher that probably makes me sound stupid but none the
>less still need help. Noticed a screw in the front tire so I changed the
>tire. I went to turn the key so I can use my tire inflator (to plug into
>the lighter plug) and the key won't turn. Just beeps like the key is in the
>ignition and reminds you to take it out. Doesn't turn one way or another,
>totally locked. Tried a spare key still no luck. FOB still works fine. I
>have no idea what I did. Took off the old tire put on the spare. Did it
>before and the car started. Lucky this time it is in my garage and not on
>the side of the highway.
>
>Any suggestions would be appreciated. 2002 Civic Sedan LX (Canadian).

Ya got me.. But maybe a mercury switch got tilted someway it didn't
like and locked something out?

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N38.6 W121.4

Try turning the steering wheel one way or the other and see if that
makes it possible to turn the key. Every so often the steering wheel
will rest against the steering wheel lock so hard the key won't move.
Did you replace a front or a rear tire?

Compu-Z wrote:
>
> Here's a head scratcher that probably makes me sound stupid but none the
> less still need help. Noticed a screw in the front tire so I changed the
> tire. I went to turn the key so I can use my tire inflator (to plug into
> the lighter plug) and the key won't turn. Just beeps like the key is in the
> ignition and reminds you to take it out. Doesn't turn one way or another,
> totally locked. Tried a spare key still no luck. FOB still works fine. I
> have no idea what I did. Took off the old tire put on the spare. Did it
> before and the car started. Lucky this time it is in my garage and not on
> the side of the highway.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated. 2002 Civic Sedan LX (Canadian).

Yeah. Try to wiggle the steering wheel as you're trying to turn the key.
Most likely it's your steering wheel lock.


"Randolph" <trash@junkmail.com> wrote in message
news:4025B513.FB03944A@junkmail.com...
> Try turning the steering wheel one way or the other and see if that
> makes it possible to turn the key. Every so often the steering wheel
> will rest against the steering wheel lock so hard the key won't move.
> Did you replace a front or a rear tire?
>
> Compu-Z wrote:
> >
> > Here's a head scratcher that probably makes me sound stupid but none the
> > less still need help. Noticed a screw in the front tire so I changed
the
> > tire. I went to turn the key so I can use my tire inflator (to plug
into
> > the lighter plug) and the key won't turn. Just beeps like the key is in
the
> > ignition and reminds you to take it out. Doesn't turn one way or
another,
> > totally locked. Tried a spare key still no luck. FOB still works fine.
I
> > have no idea what I did. Took off the old tire put on the spare. Did
it
> > before and the car started. Lucky this time it is in my garage and not
on
> > the side of the highway.
> >
> > Any suggestions would be appreciated. 2002 Civic Sedan LX (Canadian).

>"Compu-Z" <tonym@compu-z.com> wrote in message
> Here's a head scratcher that probably makes me sound stupid but none
>less help. Noticed a screw in the front tire so I changed the
> tire. I went to turn the key so I can use my tire inflator (to plug into
> the lighter plug) and the key won't turn. Just beeps like the key is in
> ignition and reminds you to take it out. Doesn't turn one way or another,
> totally locked. Tried a spare key still no luck. FOB still works fine.
> have no idea what I did. Took off the old tire put on the spare. Did it
> before and the car started. Lucky this time it is in my garage and not on
> the side of the highway.

They make cars this way so thieves can't push joyride.

*Do not grab the wheel as you exit.
*Don't let kids play steering - educate them.
*Before shutting off the motor, wheel should be straight

The steering column creates friction on the security stud which the
key has to drive out. The spare tire creates less friction on the stud
and pavement which also change the angle of the steering wheel
slightly.

Here's a lesson: With key to accessories, turn the steering wheel to
2 O'clock position . Remove the key. Now, turn it to 9 O'clock
and try to start. Won't go? turn it to 9 again.

You can eliminate this mechanism by drilling a hole under the
security stud and drive a screw driver into it.

--
Milo

"Indiån §ummer" <Almonds@pistachios.com> wrote in message
>>Compu-Z" <tonym@compu-z.com> wrote in message
>> Took off the old tire put on the spare....and the car started.

> *Do not grab the wheel as you exit.
> *Don't let kids play steering - educate them.
> *Before shutting off the motor, wheel should be straight
>
> The steering column creates friction on the security stud which the
> key has to drive out. The spare tire creates less friction on the stud
> and pavement which also change the angle of the steering wheel
> slightly.
>
> Here's a lesson: With key to accessories, turn the steering wheel to
> 2 O'clock position . Remove the key. Now, turn it to 9 O'clock
> and try to start. Won't go? turn it to 9 again.
>
> You can eliminate this mechanism by drilling a hole under the
> security stud and drive a screw driver into it.

Correction, You will drill a hole under the security
stud and drive "a screw" into it. Not a screw driver.

--
Milo