Why is my steering wheel locking up?

If your steering wheel locks up while the car is in motion, perhaps the most likely culprit is a lack of power steering fluid, or dirty power steering fluid. If damage has caused the system to spring a leak, this could lead to a lack of fluid pressure in the system.

What does it mean when your steering wheel does not lock?

If the steering wheel does not lock, this is a critical warning sign of a problem with the steering column or one of the many components inside the column. Nonetheless, if this symptom arrives, do not drive the vehicle under any circumstances; as an unlocked steering wheel is a potentially dangerous situation.

What does it mean when your steering column doesn’t work?

When you turn the key on your ignition, it draws power from the battery and sends a signal to the starter to activate the process. However, if you turn your key and nothing happens, it’s a solid indication that an issue with your steering column actuator exists.

What makes the steering wheel lock on a Jeep Wrangler?

Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering wheel lock (manual transmission only). This lock prevents steering the vehicle without the ignition key. If the steering wheel is moved a half turn in either direction and the key is not in the ignition, the steering wheel will lock.

Where does the steering column attach to the steering wheel?

Most of today’s modern vehicles utilize a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system. The steering column is located at the top of the steering system and attaches directly to the steering wheel. The steering column then attaches to the intermediate shaft and universal joints.

What causes a steering wheel to lock?

As we have noted, there are three common reasons as to 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.

What is tilt steering column?

Tilt columns can only be used in earlier automatic column-shift or floor-shift cars by shortening and adapting the long sector shaft. This can be accomplished by incorporating a rag joint or flexible u-joint assembly on the shaft between the steering gearbox and the lower end of the steering column.

What is a steering wheel column?

Steering Column. The automotive steering column is a device intended primarily for connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism by transferring the driver’s input torque from the steering wheel. A steering column may perform some other secondary functions: