This is a theft deterrent feature that disables the steering wheel by locking the steering main shaft to the column tube when the ignition key is pulled out. There are two types of steering lock mechanism.

• Push type ignition key cylinder

• Push-button type ignition key cylinder

HINT: In some automatic transaxle vehicles with the shift lock mechanism, the steering lock mechanism is not provided.

(1) When the ignition key is in the ACC or ON position When the ignition key is in the ACC or ON position, the lock stopper and lock bar are pushed to the right by the cam of the camshaft. The lock release lever therefore falls into the groove in the lock stopper, preventing the lock stopper and lock bar from moving to the left, and thus preventing the steering wheel from being locked while the vehicle is being driven.

(2) When the ignition key is turned from ON to ACC position When the ignition key is turned from ON to ACC position (shutting off the engine), the lock release lever strikes against the left edge of the groove in the lock stopper, preventing the lock stopper and lock bar from moving to the left (and thus preventing the steering wheel from being locked).

(3) When the ignition key is in the ACC position As long as the ignition key is not pushed in while the lock is in the ACC position, the push plate is pushed out by the cylinder rotor return spring. For the reason, the stopper plate protrudes out and strikes against the edge of the lock body, preventing the rotor and ignition key from being turned to the LOCK position.

(4) When the ignition key is turned from ACC to LOCK position When the key is pushed in while in the ACC position, the rotor and push plate are pushed in also. The upper part of the stopper plate therefore rides up the diagonal wall of the groove in the push plate, and the lower part of the push plate goes into the camshaft. The ignition key, push plate, and camshaft are therefore free to turn as on unit from the ACC position to the LOCK position. However, since the end of the lock release lever is still being hold down by the key, it prevents the lock stopper and lock bar from moving to the left.

(5) When the ignition key is removed When the key is pulled out from the rotor, the lock release lever disengages (moves up) from the lock stopper, and the lock bar goes into the steering main shaft groove, locking the steering main shaft.

Shift lever lock systems are adopted to prevent mis-operation of the shift lever. With this mechanism, when the shift lever is in the “P” range, the shift lever cannot move unless the ignition key is in the ON position and the brake pedal is depressed. Also, when the shift lever is not in the “P” range, the ignition key cannot be turned from ON or ACC to LOCK and the ignition key cannot be removed. There is a release button for manually canceling the shift lock mechanism if the battery is dead.

2. Components

The shift lever section includes the shift lock plate, shift lock link, shift lock solenoid, shift lock computer, and shift lock release button. The key cylinder section comprises such parts as the lock pin and cam. The lock pin is connected to the shift lock plate via the parking lock cable.

HINT:

Some models eliminate the parking lock cable and control with a solenoid valve.

3. Operation

(1) Shift lever lock mechanism When the shift lever is in the “P” range, unless the ignition key is in the ON position and the brake pedal is depressed, no current flows to the shift lock solenoid, so the shift lever cannot be moved. When shift lock plate moves to the release side by the shift lock solenoid, the shift lever can be moved when pushing the shift lever knob button, the shift lock pin is pushed down and shift lock link moves downward.

(2) Key interlock mechanism When pushing the shift lever knob button, the shift lock pin is pushed down and the shift lock link moves downward. When the shift lever is moved to the ranges except ÅgPÅh range, the shift lock link is fixed at the lock position. And the key cylinder side lock pin is fixed on the lock side. The effect is that unless the shift lever is moved to the “P” range, the ignition key cannot be turned from ON or ACC to LOCK and the ignition key cannot be removed.

Control of ECT

The Engine & ECT ECU controls gear shift timing and lock-up by controls to the solenoid valves of the hydraulic control unit to maintain the optimal driving condition using the signals from the sensors and switches mounted on the engine and automatic transaxle. In addition, the ECU is provided with diagnosis and fail-safe functions when a sensor, etc., fails.

HINT:

The current ECU is an integration ofthe Engine ECU and ECT ECU, butpreviously it was separated.