Drove my 2002 F150 SCrew home, went out later, put key in ignition and it will not turn? Tried spare set of keys, same result. Tried reseating steering wheel and shifter, no help. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Just went out and tried to start again and noticed theft light flashing?

 

One should not be related to the other. If there was an incompatability between the keys and the PATS (antitheft) system, the key would turn freely, but the starter would not activate.

By chance, is the truck parked on a steep hill and/or the front wheels turned sharply in either direction? If so, try turning the wheel in the direction that the front wheels are already turned while trying to turn the lock. When the wheels are sharply turned while the ignition is turned off, the power steering system ceases to provide assist, and the wheel tries to turn back slightly, potentially jamming the steering lock.

Also, try flipping the keys around so that the teeth on the other side of the key interface with the lock tumblers.

This sounds like a mechanical problem with the key relating to the tumblers (poorly cut keys?), or an internal problem with the lock cylinder. Again, it doesn't sound electrical or an anti-theft system fault.

 

Yes to both of your questions, right before this happened the truck was parked on a steep hill and a sharp turn was made while backing off this hill. I had tried turning the steering wheel until it locked. The problem is I believe I turned it the opposite way you are suggesting, any ideas?

 

I'm going to assume that the wheels are currently turned to the right. If so, try to turn the steering wheel further to the right while trying to turn the key. You may have to rock the steering wheel back and forth slightly while trying the key.

I have a 1999 Expy with essentially the same system. While I've not had the steering wheel off on this model, I've seen other steering wheel lock systems. Essentially, they're comprised of a spring-loaded steel pin that, when turning the ignition switch to the "Lock" position, slides up the steering column until it makes contact with a ring located on the back side of the steering wheel. The ring is punched with a number of holes. The pin slides into one of these holes, which prohibits twisting of the steering wheel.

It's possible that the torque created by the steering gear is twisting the steering wheel in one direction with so much force that the pin is jammed into the steering wheel and binding the ignition switch linkage, thus my suggestion to turn the steering wheel while working the key, in the hope of taking the strain off the pin and allowing it to slide back and free the wheel and free up the ignition switch.

 

This happened to me once and you really have to crank that steering wheel to get it unlocked. It feels like you have turned it all the way and then suddenly it gives another inch or so and everything is free again. To be honest, I thought I was going to have to have the truck towed and then I tried it one more time and got it to release. Just try one more time and give the steering wheel a really hard turn while you have your other hand on the key gently trying to turn it. It has never happened again. Let us know.

 

Yes the steering wheel is slightly turned to the right. I have tried wiggling steering wheel back and forth while attempting to turn key. I just tried to have the wife turn the key while I turned steering wheel to right as hard as I could. The steering wheel is able to be turn to the right slightly, but is locked when trying to turn left. I lifted front wheels off the ground and manually tried to turn back and forth while the wife attempted to start truck. Is there a way for me to manually trip the steering wheel lock from underneath the truck?

 

Not that I'm aware of. Unless the steering wheel lock is somehow damaged, which is rare, it sounds as if you have done more than enough to release it. I may have to fall back on suspicions of a bad lock cylinder or poorly-cut keys.

 

I currently have the steering column cases off, is there a way to release the from here other then drilling the core?

 

Unfortunately, the only way I know of involves first turning the lock cylinder to the "RUN" position. Not much help in this instance.

 

I had this happen to me one time. I was able to really put some pressure on the steering wheel and free it, but for whatever it's worth, my mechanic suggested jacking up the front of the vehicle and trying to turn the steering wheel with the wheels off the ground.