Okay short of the long... I messed up... need to remove this LOCKED ignition lock cylinder in this 96 F150. It has stationary steering column ( not tilt ). I can't turn the cylinder to access the locking pin... I don't want to go through the hell that the Chilton manual suggests I go through. Can't I just drill the damn cylinder right down the center or something? I need a QUICK FIX and QUICK answer!!!! I will explain in the long of the long why I need this quick like...

Now here is the long of the long... Okay so, this truck is going to be my GF's truck for a bit. I was dinking around with it it today cuz purportedly it has some kind of coolant system issue... Well this truck is all kinds of jerry rigged.. So it was started with a screwdriver... It is a manual so it has that little switch you push to turn the ignition back to the lock position. Well dumb me... not thinking and entirely by habit I push the lever in and turn the damn ignition all the way back to lock with the screwdriver... HABIT!!! I can't help it. Okay so now the stupid ignition is locked... I need to get this truck startable again ASAP... the actual cylinder is really cheap.. Like 23.00 at Autozone.. Well thats cool and all... but apparently... When you remove this thing the Chilton's way its like.... You must dissect the ENTIRE steering column.. and then... replace like 6 other parts.... this is advised by Chilton. I am sorry but I have ZERO interest in going through all that hell not to mention the money for all the little BS parts involved.

So PLEASE.... can someone tell me how I can get this thing out without completely tearing apart the column OR doing and permanent damage to anything in the process.

PLEASE I DO NOT feel like getting my *** chewed for making a simple mistake that technically isn't a mistake but instead what you are SUPPOSED to do... just not in this instance.. HELP!!!!!

 

I can't help with a suggestion for a quick fix.

I will say, don't use the Autozone or any other generic lock cylinder. Use a Ford one. If need be, use a used one from the Junkyard.

 

I'm actually in the same boat with my 94. The key sheared in half in the cylinder. We haven't gone through it yet, but my guy at the shop said its not fun. I'll post back when we get it figured out.

 

Well HELL!!!! And to think I was going to use the autozone cylinder... So why not use one of those? It's just a lock cylinder.. The motorcraft part is 70 bones vs the 25 for the AZ part. This truck is only a temp ride for her... ****.. I don't care if I don't put a new cylinder in it at all.... I just need to be able to turn this one over without actually braking the column itself getting it that way.

 

If you can get to the lock cyl release button (under the cyl) you could drill that out and it should let you remove the cyl without having to turn it.
You could also try drilling into the center of the key slot (not too deep) and get it out that way.
If you need it started before that you could unbolt the ign switch from the column (under the dash) and work it manually with a pair of vise grips or pliers.

 

I had to replace mine when the key broke off inside it. The cylinder would not turn. I drilled it out. Starting with a smallish bit and worked my way up until I could stick a flat blade screwdriver inside and turn it. Once you get it drilled out enough, it will turn with a screwdriver and you will be able to remove/install a new one. Drill straight into the key slot.

 

Thanks guys! I will go ahead with the drill method...

So you say start in the center of the key slot?

That seems easy enough. I am guessing that I am only going to want to go as deep as the cylinder is long? So approximately an inch and a quarter? I looked at the shape of the housing and its just a touch longer than that, so I figure once I get that far in that wide I can SLOWLY work the rest of the way through the back of the cylinder.

Again I appreciate it guys! I was REALLY not excited when I realized what I had done! Thanks again!

 

Yeah, just drill as far as the cylinder is long. You don't need to drill all the way through it. The metal is surprisingly soft, so it won't take long to drill it. Just keep stepping up drill bit sizes til a flat blade screwdriver will turn the cylinder. Once you get it to turn to the on position your home free.

 

Good advice on the drill method i woulda said the same thing. My 91 did that but the key wouldnt go into the ignition any more for some reason i did the same thing it worked great. good luck

 

I used the auto zone kit (switch and keys assembly) and I have had no problems with it. I seems that I too was hooked on Ford parts and products to, however, after doing some checking and comparing, the parts that auto zone sells compare equally with the Motorcraft of Ford products. "It's just a state of mind, folks!" Now, if you want to pay 25 to 40 dollars more for the Ford Part - be my guest. I prefer to buy lunch with a good bottle of beer with my savings. "Think of the Kids people."

 

Unless something has changed, the generic lock cylinders are not made as well. Thats all.

 

i had to swap a key cylinder one time on a 91 in a spot where there was no power.
i ended up using a pair of large vice grips locked to the outer edge of the cylinder, and slowly working it back and forth until it broke and let the cylinder turn. pushed the pin up, and pulled it out. total time invested was less than 1o minutes.

 

I thought I was going to have to do the same thing to mine because the releasing pin was jammed. However, after dropping a few, I tried again with less force and walla! I was able to remove the old ignition cylinder and install the new one I actually purchased from Advance Auto. To date, everything is working normal. Thanks for the input. Peter