Nissan Altima: ignition locked on 2003

Try pushing the shifter to the left.
"woothut" <carstalk.net> wrote in message
news:carstalk.net... 

I have to do the same thing on my wifes 2003 Altima. I think the key
is worn out and I need to get a new one made.
When I put the key in sometimes the key will not spin to start the
engine and I have to shake the steering wheel back a forth while
trying to turn the key and it works.
To me that is a sign of a key going bad so I think I need to see if I
can get a good key made and take it from there.

-Sam in Raleigh
On Sat, 1 Apr 2006 07:01:38 -0500, "rppb" <net> wrote:
 

On my 2005 the key won't come out unless the shifter when in park is pulled
over to the left.
"Sam" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 

That happens on a few cars I've driven. The solution for me was that
the steering wheel needs to be moved either let or right against the
lock to unlock the ignition. The key isn't worn out, this happens on
new cars.

What you guys describe is normal for most vehicle brands and models.

What happens is that when you remove the key, the steering wheel lock
releases a pin that then rests against the steering shaft. If the
steering wheel is in a certain position, this pin will actually engage
in a cut-out in the steering shaft, thus actually locking the steering.

When this happens, when you try to start the vehicle, the key by itself
will not be able to pull the pin out of the cut-out, meaning that the
key will not turn, and requires that you rock the steering wheeel to
free the pin.

woothut wrote: