I have a 2002 F-150 ext cab with 5.4l engine. The other day I had the inside cleaned and detailed. After they finished I went to put my key in and it wouldn't slide in. It seemed like the inside was jammed. A little fighting with it and I was able to get the key all the way in and working. When I pulled it back out it slid out easily but was still hard to slide in. After a bunch of fighting with it I put some graphite lock ease in it which made it better but not quite right. Then I sprayed some compressed air in and it seemed to get a little better. Now when I slide the key in I can feel a slight resistance compared to what it was before.

I am thinking about removing it to clean and lube it. What is the best way to clean and lube it after I pull it out?

It's going to cost close to $150 to get a new cylinder and have it keyed to match my original keys. I don't want to spend the money if I don't have to, but I also don't want to get stranded when it gets worse all of a sudden and I can't start my truck. I'm thinking I could keep a tool for removing the cylinder just in case and then put the key near the antenna and use a screw driver to turn the ignition switch. Of course if it gets bad and I can't turn the key at all I'd be screwed because i wouldn't be able to remove the cylinder. If it gets bad again and I am able to turn the key, would I be able to pull the cylinder and start the truck with the cylinder out?

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might have happened? This is not a locking wheel issue because the key turns fine once I get it all the way in. Is this just a failure from old age or is it more likely the guy cleaning it fouled it somehow? Anyone see this kind of problem before?
Thanks for the help. Ken

 

there is a magent / pickup ring around the key lock area inside the column. This recognizes the correct key when installed ( must be a PATS KEY).. If you take the key/ lock out, it will not work to start the truck unless held VERY CLOSE to the column... Even then it might not work. ....... not sure how that happened to jam the key.

 

All one has to do it have the head of an authorized key inside the PATS transceiver ring for it to be read. One can dismount the ring, zip tie the key in so it reads, and then stuff and tie the assembly up under the dash (aka "Redneck PATS Bypass").

Once that is done, a simple mechanical key that matches the cylinder can be used. They're not expensive.

 

evening guys! i,ve been doing some searching on the forum about the pats system.
i replaced the steering column in a 2000 f150 for a Buddy. i didn,t think about the pats system,so it didn,t start. is it possible to attach the original key close to the ignition switch. and use the key that came with the replacement steering. its a old plow truck thats very rusted and only yard driven!

 

yes, as project said, there is a pickup ring ( coil) around the lock area... This PICKUP reads the transponder key and sends a signal to the computer... The ORIGINAL key and the ORIGINAL computer are needed to start....... Take the coil out from around the key lock and stick the original key in the coil and tape it in under the dash.......... Then use your new key and new lock to start the truck

 

thanks a million steve!
i,m in the older truck forums, no eletronic,s there.

 

just to let you know this worked great!