My closest friend here in Arkansas suddenly passed away from pancreatic cancer. I wanted something of his so when his daughter offered me his old farm truck cheap, I took her up on it. Anyway, she told me it was hard to start.
I went up with jumper cables and starting fluid and a basic mechanic set and meter. It's a 90 mile round trip so I got a friend to go, made arrangments to meet with family, only to get there and find it not hard to start. The damn key want turn. I go back to town and have a key made(not chip key) just to see if it will turn with a better key. Nope and I realized battery is dead as a hammer. So my questions are:

1) Did a 2000 F150 no power except steering and brakes have a chip key? The key I received is not a Ford original and is heavily worn. New key went in better on doors and ignition and glove box. Works all easily.

2) Do I have to have power on for ignition switch to unlock?

3) My main problem is wheels are turned left and I can't unlock steering wheel. What do I need to do to release without pulling steering wheel or disconnecting at gearbox?

 

Try turning the steering wheel. It should move a little even in lock. That might be enough to get the key to turn and hopefully start it. Not sure if that year had chipped keys, but my 2001 does have them.

You might be able to get some keys cut by code at a dealer with the VIN #.

 

dip the key in some lithium grease and run it through the socket. That usually wakes up any stuck tumblers.

 

Thx guys but done all that, really need to know about electrical. I've been a mechanic for 35yrs.

 

So let me get this straight the key goes in the ignition and turns fine but you are having a hard time getting the steering wheel to unlock?

What electrical are you having trouble with? Chipped key that sends the signal to start the car? and yes your truck needs a transponder (chipped)

 

Pull left on the steering wheel and try to turn the key at the same time. If you have a floor jack lift the front end up some that may help. And as said it does need a chiped key starting in 99