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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!hplabs!hp-pcd!orstcs!hakanson
From: hakanson@orstcs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: datsun ignition key problem - (nf)
Message-ID: <1922@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 24-Sep-83 03:55:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.1922
Posted: Sat Sep 24 03:55:00 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 26-Sep-83 22:44:28 EDT
Sender: notes_gateway@hp-pcd.UUCP
Organization: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Lines: 21

#R:tekig1:-137100:orstcs:3000013:000:1040
orstcs!hakanson    Sep 23 10:28:00 1983

This happens on most cars with steering-column locks when you aren't
careful about how you park the car.  If you happen to have the front
wheels turned (not straight), or have parked against a curb (ouch!)
where there is some pressure against the steering mechanism, and you
then lock the column, and release the steering wheel, the pressure
goes against that column lock, and you can't unlock (or lock??) the
column until you release that pressure.  This involves turning the
wheel one way or another (there's usually enough free play) while
trying to turn the key (gently, please).

From the seriousness of the problem described, it sounds like the column
lock may be worn out such that it's more prone to getting stuck in
situations like those described above.  A permanent fix might be to get
a new ignition switch/column lock (sounds expensive to me), but it
would probably be easiest to be careful about parking the car, and be
sure to release the steering wheel (let it stop moving by itself??)
before locking it & removing the key.