I have a 2005 Liberty 4x4 that will be towed behind an RV coach. Today we discovered, during a test, while being towed behind the RV and with the ignition off, a sharp turn will engage the steering wheel lock causing the front wheels to bind and not return to neutral.How can the steering wheel lock be disabled? Turning the ignition to ON will bypass the lock and will run the battery down. Installing a battery disconnect so the key can remain in the ON position bypasses the tow brake assist. With the key in the accessory position, the steering wheel lock will still engage in a turn.Suggestions?

On my 2004 Libby there is a position between off and on where the wheel is unlocked but no systems are getting power. Are you sure yours is not similar?

On my 2006 the ignition is in the off position, not ACC. I use a dumb key. Once the transfer case is in neutral, I put the dumb key in and turn to the on position. Shift the transmission out of park and then turn the key off. It won't go past the off position. Now put transmission back in park and leave the ignition key alone. Been doing this for 8 years with no problems.Don't know if the steering lock can be defeated.

accsys wrote:On my 2004 Libby there is a position between off and on where the wheel is unlocked but no systems are getting power. Are you sure yours is not similar?good point. I dont remember after driving this vehicle 100k miles. I will have to check.

phays wrote:On my 2006 the ignition is in the off position, not ACC. I use a dumb key. Once the transfer case is in neutral, I put the dumb key in and turn to the on position. Shift the transmission out of park and then turn the key off. It won't go past the off position. Now put transmission back in park and leave the ignition key alone. Been doing this for 8 years with no problems.Don't know if the steering lock can be defeated.I found a "dumb key" that I never knew what it was for. Using my smart key, had to return the transmission to park while the transfer case was neutral to remove the key. So if I use the dumb key, the proper tow position is transfer neutral and transmission neutral? The dumb key allows the ignition to be off in tow?

The instructions are in the Owners Manual.IIRC, it is(it has been a while since I sold my '06 Liberty):Transmission in ParkTransfer case in NeutralIgnition switch in "OFF, not locked" position. Smart key or dumb key, makes no difference.Be sure parking brake is released before driving off.Come to think of it, the instructions for the Liberty are exactly the same as those for the '06 Wrangler I had!Yes, the steering lock can be disabled on nearly any vehicle. Just have your mechanic remove the steering wheel, remove the lock pin, and reinstall the wheel. Or, do it yourself, if you have the expertise to mess with the explosive airbag.

Disable Steering wheel lock 05 Liberty | Good Sam Community

mowermech
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015
The instructions are in the Owners Manual.
IIRC, it is(it has been a while since I sold my '06 Liberty):
Transmission in Park
Transfer case in Neutral
Ignition switch in "OFF, not locked" position. Smart key or dumb key, makes no difference.
Be sure parking brake is released before driving off.
Come to think of it, the instructions for the Liberty are exactly the same as those for the '06 Wrangler I had!

Yes, the steering lock can be disabled on nearly any vehicle. Just have your mechanic remove the steering wheel, remove the lock pin, and reinstall the wheel. Or, do it yourself, if you have the expertise to mess with the explosive airbag.
timotb
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015
phays wrote:
On my 2006 the ignition is in the off position, not ACC. I use a dumb key. Once the transfer case is in neutral, I put the dumb key in and turn to the on position. Shift the transmission out of park and then turn the key off. It won't go past the off position. Now put transmission back in park and leave the ignition key alone. Been doing this for 8 years with no problems.

Don't know if the steering lock can be defeated.

I found a "dumb key" that I never knew what it was for. Using my smart key, had to return the transmission to park while the transfer case was neutral to remove the key.

So if I use the dumb key, the proper tow position is transfer neutral and transmission neutral? The dumb key allows the ignition to be off in tow?
timotb
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015
accsys wrote:
On my 2004 Libby there is a position between off and on where the wheel is unlocked but no systems are getting power. Are you sure yours is not similar?

good point. I dont remember after driving this vehicle 100k miles. I will have to check.
phays
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015
On my 2006 the ignition is in the off position, not ACC. I use a dumb key. Once the transfer case is in neutral, I put the dumb key in and turn to the on position. Shift the transmission out of park and then turn the key off. It won't go past the off position. Now put transmission back in park and leave the ignition key alone. Been doing this for 8 years with no problems.

Don't know if the steering lock can be defeated.
accsys
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
On my 2004 Libby there is a position between off and on where the wheel is unlocked but no systems are getting power. Are you sure yours is not similar?

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Disable Steering wheel lock 05 Liberty

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