PCO6

I've owned XJ's & MJ's for nearly 20 years and have never had this happen before. I pulled into a parking spot, went into a store and when I came back I couldn't turn the key to start the engine. I've had this happen with other vehicles and it's due to the wheels being slightly cocked over vs. pointing straight ahead. Mine were at about 35* off of centre. Usually you crank the wheel a bit, turn the key and away you go.

I could not budge the steering wheel. It was locked solid and the key wouldn't turn. Being an automatic I also couldn't get it out of park. Fortunately my Brother was with me. He got out and rocked the Jeep forward very slightly but enough to free the steering. It then started as usual.

This was with my '88 MJ 2WD automatic. I imagine the same could happen 4WD Jeeps too. Lesson learned ... I'll park with my wheels straight.

robsjeep

investigate this further, as it maybe fatal if the lock were to engage while driving. something aint right.

was something on parking surface binding a tire, preventing the turning?

i have always hated this feature in my jeep,, prefer cars without it. stupid new fangled complexity mandated by government

Saudade

Sounds like one of the front tires was wedged in somewhere. I had this happen once. Parked in the stall next to the shopping cart return that had curbs around it. Managed to wedge my tire into the corner. When I came back out, the steering was very hard to turn to unlock.

My guess was that the parking lot was crowned a bit to allow water to drain off. When I parked, shut down, removed the key and then took my foot off the brake, it rolled ever so slightly forward, hit the curb and pushed the tire and steering over against the steering lock. I did manage to strong arm it over enough to unlock and then start. So now I make sure my front tires are not up any curb, shopping or other wise. Could use the parking brake but who does that with an auto?

PCO6

Thanks for the input guys. I'm trying to think of the mechanical reason for this happening and I'm not quite there yet. I've never had a hint of a problem like this when it's in motion. The parking lot was flat, smooth, no curbs, trash, etc. I did go in at an awkward angle vs. straight in. I adjusted a bit and joked with my Brother who like me "never parks next to a 2 dr." of any type. The car in one adjacent spot was a Camaro with long "dent inflicting" doors. I normally have the wheels pointing straight forward when parking and will now be even more conscious of it.

robsjeep

Rock rails cure inconsiderate door slammers. Hit my jeep with your door, and your door is damaged, not my jeep.

PCO6

LOL. That they would.