key wont turn
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New User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
key wont turn
the key on my 91 f150 (5speed,tilt wheel)will not turn to the on position. Ive tried jiggling the wheel and turning the key for all the positions of the tilt wheel, but something apppears to be bound up. any ideas
thanks , Jon
thanks , Jon
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
key wont turn
Sounds like the ignition actuator may be ready to break on you. Mine did the same thing. Either that or the ignition switch is fried. Very poor design by Ford (IMO). Let me know what you find or if you need more info.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 37
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key wont turn
Geeze, I must be slow... This repair took me over half a day on my '88 F150 XLT Lariat. When I finally got the broken part out and took it to Ford, the parts guys just started laughing when I asked how I was suppose to get the new one in. Said they all eventually break and that its a terrible design. Oh well, I was always curious how the cruise control contacts, and the tilt wheel worked. LOL
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
key wont turn
Danny ,
Dont feel bad ...when mine broke I had already been in that snake nest about a month before to replace a shorted out turn signal switch .I did mine in about 3 hrs ...thats cussing and break times included .I was so glad when I had those tilt wheel pins back in ...all I could imagine was that spring flying out and going thru the back window . Makes you wonder who designs all this stuff ??
Paul
Dont feel bad ...when mine broke I had already been in that snake nest about a month before to replace a shorted out turn signal switch .I did mine in about 3 hrs ...thats cussing and break times included .I was so glad when I had those tilt wheel pins back in ...all I could imagine was that spring flying out and going thru the back window . Makes you wonder who designs all this stuff ??
Paul
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 145
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key wont turn
It took me about 4.5 hrs to complete. I actually enjoyed it until I had it all together and saw a leftover screw. Since it seemed to be in a crucial system, (steering) I decided better safe than sorry. It only took 2 hrs the second time. Cool thing happened, I didn't know my used truck had a tilt wheel until I rebuilt the column, and now it works great!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Stanton, Suffolk England
key wont turn
There is a trick to the tilt wheel. If you tilt the wheel all the way up before you start tearing it apart then it is not too bad. That way the majority of the pressure is off the spring. I have been in half a dozen of these columns for tilt pieces and actuators. after the first time it took me about an hour startr to finish after that. A slide hammer and a #8 or #18 machine screw takes even the stubornest tilt pins out. Don't worry about the spring taking out the rear window. The first time I tried going back together with one it just glanced off my right temple and took out the dome light lense. 
Good Luck
Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
Good LuckBrad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
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New User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 21
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key wont turn
If you're a very lucky person, it could just be a defective lock cylinder. Will the key turn at all? If you're like the rest of us, it's probably the actuator. When you finally get it out, you'll wonder what someone was thinking when they designed this thing. It's amazing all of them don't break. I've changed a few of them in my shop. (Educational-That's how I first learned to cuss). An experienced mechanic with the correct tools will easily spend a couple of hours on one of these.
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Brett Foote
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,100
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From: Wichita USA
key wont turn
I have done lots of steering columns, all makes and models. From your description it sounds like a lock cylinder. Key will not turn at all? If this is the case I have always had to drill the center of the lock cylinder out and dig all the pieces out so you can turn the cylinder to the on position where it can be removed and a new one put in. Once you get it turned on there is a hole in the bottom of the column cover to axcess the release pin. Push it in and pull the switch out. The actuator everyone is talking about also breaks all the time but usually will not keep key from moving. It just wont move far enough to let it start.
2000 XLT Flare Supercab Sport 5.4-Auto-355LS-Tow pkg-Bedrug-Xtang Tonneau
2000 XLT Flare Supercab Sport 5.4-Auto-355LS-Tow pkg-Bedrug-Xtang Tonneau
New User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 14
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key wont turn
I am surprised this post is still getting hits
The problem turned out to be my lock cylinder
so i had to drill it like you said and then pick it out this was a pain in the a$$ took my one whole wekend and 3 week nights to figure out what the problem was and get it back together. My advice is to replace your lock cylinder before it has a chance to go bad they only cost 12 bucks at auto zone and take about 2 minutes to change, but when they lock in the off position it is impossible to remove without drilling it out
The problem turned out to be my lock cylinder
so i had to drill it like you said and then pick it out this was a pain in the a$$ took my one whole wekend and 3 week nights to figure out what the problem was and get it back together. My advice is to replace your lock cylinder before it has a chance to go bad they only cost 12 bucks at auto zone and take about 2 minutes to change, but when they lock in the off position it is impossible to remove without drilling it out
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Stanton, Suffolk England
key wont turn
Know the feeling had a key break off in one once. The wrong key to be exact. I will never have my buddies daughter move my truck again. LOL.
Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
key wont turn
Oh Joy! My key has gotten sort of hung up a couple times and the ignition switch has a lot of slop. Worst part is you replace the switch and end up with two keys. I fixed that on my wifes Aerostar though by cutting the ignition on one side and the door on the other side (both work with the same side of the key up). I understand a good locksmith can choose the right key from the assortment of ignition switches to match your door key and then cut the rest of the new ignition key with your door key pattern to give you a single key. I also heard of a locksmith who had two Fords and got both of them--doors and ignition--all on one key! He would flip it between the two vehicles.
