steering lock: what controls it/where?

so what actually makes the steering wheel lock when the cars turned off? is it electrical or mechanical? ive tried all sortsa things but i cant seem to disable it without putting the key in so im guessing its mechanical, help anyone? :) resaon being: (no im not ripping off cars!) ive made a system where my modified cigarette lighter plugs into the socket to turn the ACC and ON on, and pushing it right in starts the engine, thereby completely eliminating the use of a key (alarm has immobiliser so its still secure). was all well and good until i reversed out the drive but the wheel didnt turn :) if i put the key in and turn it to ACC it unlocks it, but that sorta defeats the whole purpose of the "batmobile button" short of disconnecting the ignition, turning the key to ACC, and snapping off the end (which is just a bit extreme!) im outta ideas :(

it is mechanical.

Typically there is a notch in the steering column and when the lock is engaged, a spring loaded tab on the ignition switch will pop into the notch locking the column. You could remove the switch from the column and see if the mechanism is accessible. You could probably put a small plate covering the notch in the column so that the tab doesn't have anything to engage to. Hope this helps.Mike

Sales/Tech Support - KICKYRIDEoCOM mobile electronics

MECP 1st class-Security Specialist

hey RedRabbit....the lock for the steering is a small spring-loaded (up) solenoid, that when the key is in and turned, the rod is removed from the steering column. you could take off the cawlings that cover the ignition, then remove the rod from the solenoid, that way there is no need for the key to be in the car. i would consider first trying to incorporate the mechanism to your switch; the steering column locking is a nice feature to keep in the car (just a thought). It's better to ask a "STUPID" question...than to know a "STUPID" answer. :-)