2004 Sport Trac steering locked, won't start

[Duane Foster]

Wife parked the '04 ST in a level parking lot with the front wheels turned just slightly. When she tried to restart it, the wheel was locked and the key wouldn't turn. After I got there, I found the key would sometimes turn just a little - possibly not even to the 1st detente - and I was able to straighten the front wheels. I think I straightened the wheels without the key turned. Trying to move the shifter doesn't help. How do I get the truck started and back home?

Sucks even more since it was right at 50 degrees today, and we'll have a high in the teens tomorrow. Even colder Sunday and Monday.

 

[Corbin713]

Wife parked the '04 ST in a level parking lot with the front wheels turned just slightly. When she tried to restart it, the wheel was locked and the key wouldn't turn. After I got there, I found the key would sometimes turn just a little - possibly not even to the 1st detente - and I was able to straighten the front wheels. I think I straightened the wheels without the key turned. Trying to move the shifter doesn't help. How do I get the truck started and back home?

Sucks even more since it was right at 50 degrees today, and we'll have a high in the teens tomorrow. Even colder Sunday and Monday.

Wiggle the wheel back right and left It happened to my truck and if you wiggle the wheel right and left while also trying to turn the key it will eventually turn the key