Hey all,

New to the forums and glad I found you guys. This place is a treasure trove.

That being said I have a 1991 7.3, and my key wont turn in the ignition. It feels like it is going in slightly out of line, and wont turn forward at all.

When have had this problem in the past, and each time it seems that one of my guys had put the key in off-line, and I would just pull it out and align it properly...and it would turn freely. However there is nothing I can do now to turn it, and was wondering what my next course of action should be.

Im an amateur at best when it comes to car repair, so if anyone has some

suggestions for where to start it would help greatly.

Thanks for your help guys,



Rich

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...lost-keys.html Look at the third post in this link. Have a new lock cylinder ready (a few $ at any parts store and comes with two keys).

 

Boy, that thread was quite a read. Those guys argued for all 3 pages like they were 3 years old.

 

I had a truck do this years back and is all i had to do was turn the wheel back and forth while turning the key. May not work for you but worth a try.

 

Me too, also tapping the key right into the lock cylinder works also.

 

Thanks guys, checked out the other post and I will give that a shot later today. I will post back with any results.

 

Broke off the 'wings', and now the key is able to turn the cylinder freely! (as well as a screwdriver/pliers)

The cylinder looks beat to hell tho, and Id like to swap it out for a new one. I tried removing it but was unable. Can anybody walk me through this as Im an absolute beginner when it comes to this stuff?

Thanks again guys

 

There is a small pin under the cylinder. You should see a small hole in the shroud. If you use a 1/8inch drill bit through the hole and push up on the pin with the lock cylinder in the ON (run) position, the cylinder should pull straight out.
Try that first.

 

Make sure you disconnect the batteries first so the truck doesn't start when you don't want it to. Just replacing the ignition lock cylinder means you have two keys one for the door another for the ignition. To get a matching set I went to a local junk yard and found a similar year model to mine that still had a key and I got the ignition cylinder and the door cylinders all you need to remove the door cylinders is a flat pry bar or a large screw driver. I tried ordering a set from the parts dealers and they were unavailable or really Expensive. Good luck
Mark