Steering Wheel Locked Up While Driving – Causes and Solutions

A steering wheel locking up unexpectedly while driving can be intriguing and dangerous. Though it rarely happens, when it happens the effects can be fatal. There are many reasons why you may have your steering wheel locked up while driving.

When it happens or when you notice the signs that your steering could lock up, you need to act fast to attend to the issue or else you’ll be vulnerable to an accident. 

In this post, we will shed some light on possible causes of steering wheel locking up and viable fixes to the problem.

What Does It Mean When Your Steering Wheel Locks Up?

Steering wheels are designed to lock up under certain conditions. It’s a basic part of your car’s safety attributes. As a safety measure, the wheel locks up to prevent your car from moving if there’s no key to ignite it. 

So unless somebody has your car key they won’t start it and for some cars even if they use underhand methods to ignite it, the wheel will stay locked.

As a standard procedure, the only way to unlock the steering wheel should be by inserting the car’s key into the ignition keyhole and turning it on. But that’s not always the case. 

Due to mechanical issues, the vehicle’s ignition system could suffer a faulty locking of the steering wheel.

If you find yourself in a situation where your car keys won’t ignite the car or ignite the car but the steering wheel won’t unlock, then that’s a red signal that you should contact a mechanic as soon as you can.

6 Common Causes Behind Steering Wheel Locked Up While Driving

#1. A Problem With The Power Steering Pump

The power steering pump can jam unexpectedly. This can instantly get your steering wheel locked up while driving. Power steering pump failure wasn’t an issue in the past because the vehicles back then didn’t have them. 

All you needed to maneuver the vehicle around corners was arm muscles. The power steering pump is a relatively new innovation which has made steering cars easy and convenient. 

Unfortunately, it’s a very delicate tweak and when the engine dies off unexpectedly while you are driving, so does that pump.

#2. Sharp Turns

Making sharp turns frequently affects your car’s transmission system. It hurts your engine and can lead to your steering wheel locking up while driving. The abrupt turns may also cause your power steering pump to get stuck. 

So if you can, make the turns slowly and gently and you will significantly reduce the odds of getting your steering wheel locked up.

 #3. Car Ignition Lock

The ignition too can lock up the steering wheel. This is the case when your key can’t turn your engine on or off. It’s a condition mechanics refer to as “sudden lock up” and is very dangerous if it occurs while you are driving at a high speed. 

Sudden lock-up is a fatigue failure of the ignition system so if you notice anything weird about your ignition contact a mechanic as soon as you can.

#4. Stuck Steering Linkage

The stuck steering linkage may be another cause of the wheel locked up. This specialized element connects the steering system to the wheels, and if it becomes stuck, you will lose control.

#5. Problems with the Engine Control Unit (ECU)

An ECU is the vehicle’s heart. It connects the vehicle’s electronic steering to other components. The ECU may occasionally cease providing power to the Power Steering System, causing the steering wheel locked while driving.

The ECU may encounter a sensor issue, causing the steering wheel locked up while driving.

#6. Failed Steering Column

A steering column (a shaft on the steering gear) is part of the steering assembly. It is the component that links the steering wheel to the rest of the steering system. 

In detail, a universal joint at the bottom of a steering column allows it to spin with the steering wheel, while the top section links it to the underside of the dash. 

The most typical sign of a malfunctioning steering column is steering wheel difficulties.

A ‘pop’ sound may also be heard by the driver whenurning t, especially at low speeds. This may be caused by dirt or debris accumulating inside the cylinder housing. Because the steering column housing contains so many vital components, even minor debris might cause injury to the driver.

Overall, this problem should be inspected and resolved by a professional steering wheel repairman or vehicle repair business.

Quick Fixes For Steering Wheel Locked Up While Driving Issue

As we have noted, there are three common reasons why your steering wheel would lock up; you are using the wrong key, making frequent sharp turns, a power steering pump failure, or an ignition lock. 

Once you determine the cause of the steering wheel lock up, act fast to fix its root cause. Here are some viable fixes to the issues enumerated above.

If you have sufficient knowledge on how to do them by yourself, all you need is a DIY guide, otherwise, you can consult a mechanic to undertake the repair for you.

• Get a mechanic to establish the cause and conduct a repair
• Replace your car’s power steering pump
• Replace the ignition switch system
• Clean the steering wheel column
• Take your car to a dealer for routine maintenance and fixes
• Apply the power steering lubrication oil
• Avoid routes with sharp turns or take them slowly

Check out this video from Earl Stewart Toyota to know how to deal with a locked steering wheel for more insightful information

Notices To Take To Prevent Steering Wheel Locked Up While Driving

Here are some notices to take to prevent the steering wheel lock while driving.

Steer clear of sharp turns

Make no abrupt turns, and if the road has a lot of sharp curves, drive gently. Frequent quick bends might harm your car’s transmission system and cause your power steering pump to lock up. As a result, the steering wheel may lock up when turning.

Lubricate the power steering

If you notice that your steering wheel has gotten hard, lubricate it with oil to avoid future issues.

Maintain your vehicle on a regular basis

Regularly servicing your automobile keeps it healthy and ensures that all of its components are lubricated and smooth. Servicing the automobile also allows you to detect small issues that, if addressed quickly, save you time and money.

Keeping the steering wheel column clean 

Debris and dust on the steering wheel column can cause your steering wheel to become hard and cause major difficulties. Therefore, you should clean the steering wheel column on a regular basis.

Conclusion

We hope that you found this post insightful and helpful. For queries or more information on how to handle steering wheel locked up while driving, feel free to contact and get in touch with us today or visit our website now.

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