Community Forums

BeccaJ1 · 10-13-2022, 11:24 PM

My steering wheel is locked and so is the ignition? Any advice on how to fix this issue? It’s a 97 fleetwood bounder with a Chevy chassis if that matters.

RichieO · 10-13-2022, 11:30 PM

If you are parked against the curb, or some other reason there may be pressure against a wheel, the steering wheel lock pin will have enough pressure against it you won’t be able to turn the key. Need to pull hard on steering wheel- whatever way it will move a little too release pressure on pin, and turn key at same time. Hopefully this helps

theroc · 10-14-2022, 01:30 AM

I agree. Since the ignition switch is on the steering wheel, it could be just like some cars where you have to pull hard on the steering wheel in one direction or the other and at the same time, with the key in the ignition, turn the ignition switch while pulling the steering wheel HARD until it won't move further and keeping pressure on it.

donr103 · 10-14-2022, 11:28 AM

You got to pull steering wheel one way or the other to release pressure on lock.. carefully or you could break lock internally.. next time.. to help prevent this in future.. just turn ignition off to stop engine but not all the way.. let go of steering wheel.. once the steering wheel stops turning by itself.. as it releases pressure.. then turn key rest of way.. and when you get iip.. d ont push off steering wheel.. if the front tires are against something.. you are most likely going to need some one.. with pickup or light duty wrecker and have them pull rv away from the obstruction just a tiny bit to release pressure on front tires and while you pull on steering wheel one way or the other to release.. while trying to turn key..
Good luck and keep us posted

Ray,IN · 10-14-2022, 01:03 PM

Pay a local auto thief to remove the ignition lock, should take less than 3 minutes.

BeccaJ1 · 10-15-2022, 09:33 AM

Thank you all for the info, I did get it. The issue is my parking pawl is not working so when I park I have to crank the wheel almost all the way to one side, so I have time to put the chocks out. Being disabled as I am it’s difficult to get up without using the steering wheel. I’m working on finding my way around these issues.

153stars · 10-15-2022, 12:05 PM

Do you have park on trans. What engine trans. Are you sure you don't have driveshaft emergency/parking brake.
.

donr103 · 10-15-2022, 10:41 PM

Take some of your favorite spray lube.. spray in where key goes.. then top of round cylinder where key turns.. then down inside column.. next.. get in the habit of.. turning off part way.. until engine stops.. you will feel the pressure come off steering.. then finish turning off... and pulling key out.. don't be in such a hurry.. you have to let hydraulic pressure from p/s pump bleed off.. yes you can hold the wheel turned but you let the pressure on steering wheel bleed off.. also time for basic maintenance on steering column.. with spray lube.. and fix that parking brake.. we can help.. if you tell us what is going on.. and what type you have..
Good luck and keep us posted

LETMGROW · 10-17-2022, 10:29 AM

If it's a case of jamming the wheels against something so the ignition locks up I wouldn't be spraying anything into the column. Anything you spray in there will eventually attract dirt and dust and cause another problem. There are quite a few moving parts in the locking mechanism in these columns.
You'd be better off getting the park issue fixed. Someday at sometime you might be trying to chock the wheels when the coach wants to roll. You don't want to wrestle with a 20,000# plus house on wheels. You don't want the coach to roll away and injure someone else or cause property damage either.
If you have "Auto Park" we'll be glad to offer help also.

BeccaJ1 · 10-18-2022, 11:37 AM

I do have auto park that light is always on now. I keep trying to research that but I’m mot finding anything. Can you tell me what auto park is?

donr103 · 10-18-2022, 12:26 PM

Here on this site.. go to workhorse/ Chevy rv forum .. then there to workhorse/ Chevy important discussions.. then item 28.. be ready to download a lot of information.. then go to autopark.com.. same.. be ready to download a lot more..
Real basic.. rv is too heavy to work like car.. no pin in trans to stop rv when put in park.. so they used special brake drum on trans to hold rv in place . when you put it in park.. now light on.. and auto park not working.. means.. no brake to stop rolling.. so you got to chock all wheels.. could be 0 to fix.. if you do it yourself to about hundred to fix.. or more.. but 1st.. you need to read up.. so you will understand what we are talking about..
We need to know.. does your rv.. have big yellow knob on left side of dash.. or brake peddle ?? I am thinking you have what looks like an emergency brake on far left side.. Is that correct ? If so.. does it work? If not why?
Report back and better opinions will follow.. but here is tricky part.. very few of us.. can even find someone to work on these.. and when we do.. most times they can be dishonest.. so you are on the hook to fix things.. or educate yourself.. so you don't get ripped off.. now it's not that hard.. you have already done the hardest work .. by just reaching out to us.. we have some really dedicated members here.. that will help you through this.. even if you are like me.. slow and broken.. what I did.. was download and printed off stuff.. so when I got under rv.. I could look back and forth.. and see what is what.. you may have your own ways.. the nice thing is.. it uses all basic hand tools.. and just a little time..
Good luck and keep us posted

fivejacks · 10-18-2022, 03:24 PM

Lift the front end clear of the ground, front wheels will be free. This is what I had to do

1972VWbus · 10-18-2022, 09:35 PM

If it turns out you need steering column and/or ignition related part/s head here...https://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/

LETMGROW · 10-19-2022, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccaJ1

I do have auto park that light is always on now. I keep trying to research that but I’m mot finding anything. Can you tell me what auto park is?

I would advise you to start another thread related to your Auto Park issue. Others have had problems and will jump in. Between all of us we should be able to walk you through the diagnosis and repair procedures.
Start by telling us what you have found or done so far.
There are different variations of the AP so the more folks you get involved the better chance you have of finding someone with or has had the exact system you have and maybe have had same symptoms.
BTW, welcome to the forum.