Ignition key lock up

Today the ignition key in our 2006 Santa Fe wouldn't turn. The
service manager says it is a security feature. If you sometimes turn
the wheel (with the key out), the wheel will lock. It took him a few
times to make it lock, but he did lock it. Then the key won't turn. He
said press on the brake and turn the wheel to the right and turn the
key...it worked. Said it stops hot wiring a car..Question is, the
manual says nothing about this at all. Is it really true, or is he
pulling a fast one. I'm used to GM cars security systems, but the
wheel doesn't always lock. Service manager said this happens the most
when someone get out of the car and hold the whee at the same time.
Funny thing is, we had a tow truck driver come out and he said the
same thing. The salesman we bough the car from (new) never mentioned
this...and pointedly said it wasn't like GM (or Ford) cars, in that it
didn't lock up like they did.

I really just want to know if this is right or not.

Thanks,

 

I had the same problem on my 2K Accent. I
thought the ignition was screwed up now I
learn it is a security feature and I just need
to press the brake pedal, cool!

Tom in Arizona

 

More accurately, it's a side-effect of one specific security feature,
the locking steering wheel. Hyundai steering wheels lock in only one
position, and will lock once the key is remove from the ignition and
the wheel is turned to that position.

If you turn the car off and remove the key, and then turn the wheel to
the position where it locks, it begins to try to turn back. At that
point, it's putting pressure on the ignition lock, which will be very
difficult or impossible to turn until that pressure is removed by
turning the wheel just a little.

 

Thank you both. Exactly what the Hyundai tech said. They ought to but
it in the manual. The dealer told be they get call about it all the
time. Thanks again.

 

Good lord - how long have you people been driving cars? Every vehicle that
has had a column mounted ignition switch has displayed this from day one.
Does the owner's manual have to cover even the most idiotic basic item?
Well ignore that question - owner's manuals do cover some really idiotic
basic items.

 

Thank you both. Exactly what the Hyundai tech said. They ought to but

The first time it happened to me, I got worried, called my dad, and he
explained it in 2 seconds.

I don't think it's "the most idiotic basic item" -- it's certainly
basic, but it's not common. I had never seen it happen to anyone's car
for the first 23 years of my life, compared to practically every other
aspect of normal vehicle operation. So really, I think it deserves to
be a yellow box item on the "starting your car" page...

 

Nice try. But if you would check your facts first, before try to make
people look like fools, you'd know that the 2006 Santa Fe doesn't
have a column mounted ignition switch....it's on the dash. Which is
what prompted the question in the first place. It doesn't have locking
steering column (normally) like a GM car does. Which is fine because
everyone knows all it takes is a screw driver to pop the lock on a GM
car with a locking steering wheel. And just in case you see a question
about a car without an ignition switch....they have them. You push a
button to start them. And I've been driving for 40 years.....all kinds
of cars.

 

All right- I stand corrected and humbled. Did not realize the Santa Fe had
a dash mounted ignition. That said - ignitions lock steering columns -
right? What has been the practice since the advent of the locking steering
column? Why yes - rotating the wheel a bit to unlock. So - while I can
admit my mistake, you're no less pompus in your reply than what you suggest
of me.

Yes - I know there are cars without ignition switches. And finally - I
have been driving as long as you - I'm not impressed by that set of
credentials.

 

I let this go when the OP posted it, but I'll correct it since I
figure you're genuinely interested. Many current Hyundais have an
ignition switch which is in the dash rather than coming out of the
side of the steering column. Nonetheless, this switch is still part
of the steering column. Pulling the left lower panel of the dash will
reveal that the ignition switch and lock are in an L-shaped arm coming
off of the column and pointing the lock out of the face of the dash.

 

The real question is: Can this style still bind up if there is torque on
the steering wheel when it is locked? I don't recall my Sonata every
binding up as do my other vehicles with column mounted ignition switches.

Matt

 

Ya know - I'm really going to expose myself here. My wife drives an 04
Sonata and I drive an 06. Both have ignitions in the dash. Unitl this
discussion, I never even took note of that. After all these years of
driving GM products, you'd think it would stand right out, but somehow I
never even paid attention to it. But then again, I started driving when
everything had the ignition in the dash and I guess that just seems
natural, even after all of these years of column mounted ignitions.

 

Sure can. You've probably never turned your wheel to the lock
position, though.

 

do you have to pull really hard in the direction to unlock wheel? Ive tried pulling the wheel and then turning the key but it still wont budge. If the case was a case of the steering wheel lock would the tires still be able to move at all?

 

I would like to know about this key lock on ignition too. Mine just started doing it today and I can't turn the wheel.

 

It has happened 3 x on my 2010 sonata. Attempting to turn the steering wheel one way while turning the ignition and then the other way and neither worked. I activated the shift lock release and shifted to various gears and back and still ignition won't unlock. Of course my foot is on the brake. Turning the steering wheel to the right doesn't unlock the ignition in my case. What could the issue be. It happens with both keys.

 

If it the steering wheel is locking the key in the ignition (so it won't turn)
then to release the pressure on the key would mean to turn it in the direction of what caused it

Turning the wheel to the right and it locks the column means
the rubber on the tires are pushing back the steering wheel.
This pressure is what locks the key in the ignition.
The tires are pushing the steering wheel to the left.
Turning the wheel to the right will release the pressure on the column lock
And the key will turn or come out.
Or you could lift the front tires off the ground and this would also release the pressure on the steering wheel lock.

And whether one has it on their car or not depends on whether you can turn the wheel until it engages the lock.
If you don't have it then congrats. If you do have it then congrats.
It isn't a big deal anymore.

Thanks for reading

 

Continuation of post 15. I've tried everything mentioned in all the above posts and other posts including jacking up my front wheels to take the pressure off and spraying contact cleaner into the ignition but nothing has worked. My ignition switch is in the dash not on the steering column. What ideas are left before trying to replace the ignition switch? I even tried both keys right side up upside down. I'm getting fed up.

 

P Remus, you situation sounds different than the steering wheel column lock
It actually sounds like the ignition cylinder is locking onto the key
And, I don't know if you have an immobilizer
Well, you'll figure it out

Oh, it is also possible that the transmission gear selector is locking the ignition key
Just a thought

 

I solved my problem with the 2010 sonata. I tried spraying contact cleaner in the ignition switch and worked the key in and out. No luck. Then i tried WD40 and again worked the key in and out and of course trying to turn the steering wheel to take the tension off it. The steering wheel actions did not help. I read about hitting the key (inward) with a rubber hammer. I was very reluctant to try this as i could picture hitting it sideways and breaking it off. So i hit it with the handle of my screw driver, not too hard but numerous times. The key started to free up. I could now turn the key, so I worked it back and forth through the positions start/acc/lock. Then it locked again. I took the key out, sprayed more WD40 into the lock and worked the key in and out. More WD40 sometimes it would unlock and sometimes I had to hit it with the screwdriver again but only one tap and not as hard now. Continued this process and it totally freed up. It is moving freely now. No more tapping necessary. I confirmed that the steering still locks and unlocks with the key. I determined that the brake does not have to be pressed to turn the key and start it on the 2010. On my newer sonata the brake is required. I could not remember. Anyway, it eorks like a charm now. Conclusion: dirt or lint from the key in your pocket must get into the lock and jam up the sliding tumblers.

 

Thanks for the update. Sure it will help someone with a similar problem