How to unlock steering wheel in neutral?
 

I was trying to adjust an off centre steering wheel by adjusting tie rods. I could not get the car in neutral with the steering wheel unlocked while the engine was off. Same problem if engine off and ignition on. We had the car on an alignment machine and we wanted to put it in neutral and have the steering wheel unlocked but we wanted the engine off while it was lifted. No matter what I tried I could not get this to happen. If the car was in neutral we couldn't turn it off. If we put it in neutral while the engine was off then the steering wheel was locked.

I know this can't be right because I recall pushing the car while the engine off to get it on a tow truck sometime ago. What was I missing, anyone know the proper way to do this?

You didn't mention what car or transmission you have. With mine (SAT), you have to put the car into neutral mechanically using the phillips screwdriver that came with the car. You pop the shifter cover, insert the screwdriver into a special hole, and pull back until the assembly locks into place. The instructions are in your manual.

Never mind, I should have known better. I was in front of the car and trust that the trained mechanic knew what he was talking about. His whole thing was that "these European cars are funny." I told him to pop the gear boot just as you explained above. He did that but said the steering wheel was still locked. We got the job done by having someone sit in the car. I went to the car today and got it in neutral manually and the steering wheel was not locked.

Thanks for the answer anyway.

How long did you depress the start button?
If you push it for something like 4 seconds continuously it shuts off.