What do I need to change out the ignition switch lock cylinder on my 1992? Advance Auto Parts has the lock cylinder for $10.99 so I'm going to pick one up tomorrow. I need to know if I need any special tools to get the old one out.

The old one is allowing the vehicle to start without the key sometimes, and sometimes the key will not go in, and others it will go in but will not turn. needless to say it needs to be replaced before I get stranded somewhere and have to literally rip it out...

I got the steering column cover off fine, but couldn't see an obvious way to get the lock cylinder out... any help would be greatly appreciated.


also, how can I tell, without taking the van to the dealership, whether or not the ignition switch safety recall was performed on my van or not??? I took it to the dealership and when he ran the vin to see if the recall had been done on it, he said my vin number did not match any vehicles, funny thing is I bought it from them three years ago.... I am guessing that the recall was done on it because it was owned by them at the time the recall was announced, but I want to make sure...

thanks,
-Mike-

 

You will need a steering whell puller for sure. Don't try pulling it with your hand, You will just warp it. You may need a small pick to hold the pin in while you pull it out.

 

Nope no need to pull the wheel. The bottom cover(usually has a hole in the right spot) can be removed, after that look at the bottom of where the cyl goes in the column, there is approx3/16" hole in it, turn the cyl(with the key) towards the start position while pushing the pin in that hole. You can use a pick or anything small the push the pin in. , go to the start pos and pull the cyl out. to install push cyl in at the start position and push into the column housing. Should take 5 minutes max!

 

I had the same experience as Aerodude.......easy to get the lock cylinder out, even Autozone has them for cheap. However, you have to put the key in and put the Ign in the RUN position in order to get the old lock cylinder, and the problem I had was that you could not get the key into the cylinder!!!

Finally I got the key in and was able to force it into RUN, then I could slide the lock cylinder and the key-in chime mechanism out. Both pieces came from Autozone for about $13.00.

 

I was wondering about that extra hole in the cover.... I think it'll be easier to just pull the cover off. Three screws, and the tilt wheel lever and bam it's off... piece of cake...

I thought that little pin had something to do with it but I wasn't sure... looks like that problem is getting fixed tomorrow.

only downer to this is i'll have two keys to keep up with....

 

When I changed the cylinder in my 93, I was able to take the new key and the old key into a locksmith nad have them cut the door cylinders into the new key.

As I understand it, on our Aerostar keys, there are six 'positions' that get cut. the first three, closest to the tip, are for the ignition, the back three are for the doors.

You'll see what I mean when you take out the new key and look at it, it only hs the first three positions cut out.

 

Eureka!! you're right! That explains why only the tip of the new ignition lock cylinder key is ground.

Now I can get the new key done right and my wife will stop complaining about having to have two Aerostar keys.

 

Hey you're right... Thanks, I wouldn't have noticed that unless you said something about it. Now all I have to do is find a lock smith... I live in a small town.. once I get the new key made for the door and ignition, can a ford dealer make me a real Ford key... I just like the look of a genuine ford key, rather than generic...

Thanks for all of your tips, it really was an easy swap out... only thing that got me was the new cylinder did not come in the RUN position, so it would not go in and I had to hold the pin and turn it to the RUN position. After that is slid right in and latched in place just like it was suposed to...

-Mike-

 

I just broke the key off in the ignition, I can't turn it.

Can I still get it out?

HELP!

Thanks!
Thomas Martin
92 Aerostar XL 4.0 RWD

 

As far as I know, the only way to get the lock cylinder out of the steering column (without breaking it ) requires you to be able to turn it.

Since you broke off the key in it... I would guess that the only way to get it out would be to break it, and force it out of there... As far as whether or not you can pull it off without damaging the steering column, I do not know.

You can't even get some needle nose pliers in there to try to get the key out so you could use another key in it???? That would be the best solution if possible, otherwise break out the hammer and screwdriver...


Sorry I couldn't offer ay better suggestions...
-Mike-

 

You could also call a locksmith and have him figure it out for you.....

 

92AeroStarXL,

If you broke off the key in the ignition and enough of the key remains in the ignition, then try pushing the remains in and turning the ignition to the Run position. As JeffMasonCO above indicates only the first three cuts on the key are needed for the ignition switch to operate, if at least that much of the key remains in the ignition, then you should be able to turn the ignition to Run and removal of the cylinder should be easy. Use the method above to remove the cylinder and replace it. Or once you have removed the cylinder, try to remove the remainder of the broken key by tapping the cylinder on a hard surface, key side down to force the key out.

On my 92 3.0L 2wd, which I bought used, I have two keys; one for ignition, the other for doors. Apparently the ignition cylinder had been replaced and the new ignition key was not cut to also open the doors. If you have the same and tried to use the old ignition/door key and this is the piece of broken key stuck in your ignition cylinder, then this procedure will not work to turn the key to Run. In this case you may have to figure out another way to get the remaining portion of key out of the ignition.

Maybe try using a small magnetic screw driver inserted into the ignition...oops, just tried this on my keys and they're not magnetic. Well, I guess you might try using a small paper clip with a hook on the end to reach into the ignition slot and work the broken key portion out.

LOL

Ron

 

92AeroStarXL,

Just another thought...If you still need to get the portion of key stuck into the ignition cylinder out, you might try the following.

Get a paper clip that will fit into the slot without touching the sides. Place a small amount of epoxy glue on the tip of the paper clip. Carefully insert the paper clip into the slot until it contacts the end of the broken key. Be careful not to epoxy the paper clip to the sides of the ignition cylinder. Hold it there until the epoxy dries. Then, pull gently on the paper clip to remove the piece of key. Be sure the key is in the off position and the steering wheel is locked so that the key latch is off before you try to pull out the key, or you'll just break off the paper clip.

Just a thought.

Ron

 

Okay, so what do yo do if you lost the key and can't move the old cylinder to the RUN position?

 

Take the VIN number and the registration to a Ford Dealer. They can make a new key.