About 2 years ago I got a Ford key lock set for my truck. It included the ignition lock cylider and the door locks.

The ignition lock cylinder seems to be acting up again. It hangs up when turning the key back to remove the key.

This is the same issue I had before. The only difference is that before it was sloppy feeling too. Does anyone know why the lock cylinder is already acting up?

I'm trying to figure out how to find a matching keyed ignition lock cylinder now. I have a tag with a 7 digit code that the keys were attached to. Is this the key cut code?

I also need to know what the part number is for the correct lock cylinder. I only have the part number for the set.

My key has a letter on the shaft part next to the plastic head. Someone told me that there should be a number too, but there isn't one.

Is there any other identifying info I need to get one that matches?

 

I may have jumped to conclusions. It was acting almost exactly the same as it did before except for not having the sloppyness it did before.

Its been acting up for a few days. I fiddled with the steering wheel just a bit while turning the key back and forth several times. It doesn't hang up at all now and works like new again.

Do I have a problem with the steering wheel lockout? Anyone know what might be going on?

 

sounds like your actuator is ready to break

 

yeah your gonna need an actuator soon and just replace the whole ignition cylinder its like 5-10 bucks,

 

I've seens quite a few posts over the years on here about the actuator breaking. If it breaks, can it cause the steering wheel to lock up while driving down the road?

Whats only 10 bucks, the ignition lock cylinder?

The Motorcraft ignition lock cylinder is over 60-80 dollars depending one which one you need. The BWD or Borg Warner ones are over 50 dollars.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...150&vi=1122286

The one I have now is a Genuine Ford replacement. I'm not sure there is anything wrong with it now.

I know I won't buy one of the cheapo ones though. I've never had all too good of luck with them.

 

I've looked at Orielly's for an actuator, but they don't seem to list it. Whats the actual complete name for it?

Aren't these a bear to replace? At least thats what I remember hearing.

 

if it breaks, it will not cause the steering to lock up while driving. it may lock up, but it will happen when you either shut the truck off, or try to start it. not while moving

 

I've done some more experimenting. I've tried slightly wiggling the steering wheel while turning the key, putting the steering wheel in different positions and turning the key, and trying it with the steering wheel locked and unlocked. None of these have any affect on the key hanging up. So, I'm not sure what is going on now.

 

You have to go to ford for the actuator there is no aftermarket. But yeah in the city I live up here in Canada Autovalue sells them for something like ten bucks

 

Have you thought of pulling the cylinder out, and adding a THIN layer of powdered graphite lubricant to it?

Worked for me once...

 

Are you sure it's the ignition cylinder that is causing the problem?

Below the cylinder is a snap ring that retains it in place, flat bearing and brass gear.

The brass gear is notorious for stripping and when this occurres, you can turn the key till armageddon comes, but the plastic steering column actuator won't move.