I want to replace the lock cylinder which apparently I should have already done but now the key won't turn at all and the wheel is locked in place, so I can't turn the key to the run position in order to remove it. Is there some way of working around that?

Thank you for any help!
David

 

squirt some wd40 in the lock.jiggle the key and steering wheel at the same time.

 

Thank you for the suggestion. I did try that. And then tried again. And then tried some more. Then tried even more. And tried different keys. And tried again... I haven't been able to find a single thing anywhere that discusses replacing the key lock cylinder in a 1990 Aerostar, much less how to do it when the key won't turn and you can't put it in run. I thought I'd find a LOT of places where people are explaining it, but instead I can't find one.

 

Are you sure it's the lock cylinder and not the switch? I had the switch lock up on my 97. Key would not turn either direction. It's located on the steering column under the dash.

 

Now I'm afraid you're right and it may be the switch, or worse. In another forum 65comet recommended this very helpful video about dealing with cylinder problems:


I used the guy's suggestion to tap the key in with a hammer and after that wiggled the steering wheel and got it to go into run position, then depressed the pin and got the old cylinder out. The new one seemed to go in okay but wouldn't turn to the lock position. It seemed to go to run and start positions so I reconnected the battery and tried to start it, hoping then I could turn the wheels enough to have full motion of the new cylinder. But nooooo! It would go to run position and the lights came on, but would not go to start position. I was able to get the new cylinder back out and looked in the hole it fits into in the steering column. There's a rectangular indentation where the end of the lock cylinder goes so I tried turning it with a screwdriver. It's locked up and will not budge. So now what? Does that mean there's something else screwed up in addition to the old lock cylinder problem? Do I now have to try to take the entire steering column apart, and maybe a lot more than that too?

 

Changing the switch wasn't that difficult. The biggest challenge is getting that big plastic panel off without damaging it. Don't remember if I had to take the plastic trim cover off the column. After that it's pretty straightforward, one big connector and a couple of screws. With the switch off you can determine where the problem is. A new switch was less than twenty dollars.

 

there is a hole directly under the switch in the plastic cover. you insert a thin tool and press-push up. The switch can then be pulled. No need to remove the plastic covers.

also try moving the steering wheel to one side or the other as you try turning the switch to start position.

 

Sorry Jose that's not the switch. That's the key tumbler. He already has that out. I mean the electrical switch mounted on the column under the dash. Also I just looked this up and on the 86 to 91 models the switch is held on with break off head bolts that have to be drilled and extracted with an easy out. 1/8 in drill and EX-3 screw extractor.

 

Thrd link: I have torx screws on my '89.

 

ok got it, my '97 has torx bolts, easy to remove.

sounds similar to my '84 Jaguar XJ-6 which has two unremovable bolts for the steering column-ignition switch Lock; However, those bolts in the Jag can be "walked out" (counter-clockwise) using a punch and hammer to walk them out without drilling.