Steerring lock switch issues

[Infinitiguy19]

My steering wheels lock is giving me some problems first when I turn the enginge off and then try to restart the engine the key wont turn, I would have to completly pull out the key then insert it to start the engine.

The steering wheel does'nt lock when taking out the key.

The sterring wheel nut was greased recently and the issues started after that. could it be that the sterring was adjust improperly?

The steering wheel is as straight as can be but, I may need an aliment.
Modified by ppastos at 5:36 PM 8/28/2008

[Infinitiguy19]

Please anyone can you help me fix this problem?

[96Qowner]

There's a solenoid in there that engages when you put it into park. Might have to check that.

zerothread?id=106328

zerothread?id=149826

[Q45tech]

Extremely common for mechanism to wear out after 10years or 120k depending on the use of or extra weight on key ring.

[Infinitiguy19]

Well thanks to both of you but when I put the car from any other gear than park then I put the car in park i can get the key out. But I think it has more to do with the lower steering joint . Because that was greased and the wheel seems to be straight but I will see what the turn to lock number of turns are.

[qship96]

That has NOTHING to do with your problem, NOTHING!

Focus on key and key cylinder assembly and you will solve your issue,but will probobly involve replacing these parts to correct {$500-1000 if done professionally by Infiniti trained tech}

[Infinitiguy19]

Since you know so much "96Q45" If I get the lock assebly would I be able to swap about the lock cylender and use the other stuff from a locking steering wheel? Or would I have to have 2 seprate keys?

I talked with Wes so thats where I got the Idea?

[qship96]

If you purchase a new ignition cylinder assembly, it will have a new key which will be different than the door/trunk key. You could purchase the entire kit for all the locks on the car to avoid having to use 2 different keys, but hardly worth the labor or expense on such an old car{money better spent elsewhere where it will have more bang for the buck}

[Infinitiguy19]

But what does the ignition switch have to do with locking the steering wheel because I thought there was another part of the wheel that locked it not the ignition switch its self.
Modified by ppastos at 10:15 PM 9/3/2008

[Infinitiguy19]

Update: When I turn the wheel about 1/3 of a turn it will lock does that still have to do with the lock or the little nut that connects the wheel to the rack?

[Infinitiguy19]

cmon anyone:

I got the wheel to lock, But it will only lock when I turn the wheel to the right.

It wont lock when I turn it to the left nor when I simply take out the key which is when is should lock.