Steering Locked Up....

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Dec 24, 2005 | 06:50 PM

#16

B C fx4 Level II

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My wife's 97 Sable did the same thing last week. "It won't budge in any direction and the key won't move," she said over the phone in a panic from the shopping mall,and yes the wheel was turned upside down. I tried to tell her you have to wiggle it and jiggle it just right and it will work. But she couldn't do it. So I had to drive over to the mall, It took about 20 seconds to release. Just keep trying to wiggle and jiggle the key and steering wheel at the same time, it will come loose. Good luck..

Dec 24, 2005 | 06:51 PM

#17

Racerguy

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Joined: Aug 2002

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From: BC, Canada

Bulldog jack the front wheels off the ground so there isn't as much pressure on the steering and then try tapping the key and see what happens.

Dec 24, 2005 | 07:49 PM

#18

go_racing84

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Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 964

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From: Roseburg, OR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerguy

Bulldog jack the front wheels off the ground so there isn't as much pressure on the steering and then try tapping the key and see what happens.

I was thinking this exact same thing. Get the wheels off the ground and then do the wheel-left/wheel-right dance and see if that doesn't help.

Dec 24, 2005 | 09:58 PM

#19

Bulldog44

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Joined: Jul 2004

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That is my next plan of attack....jacking the front end off the ground. If that does not work, then I'll tap the key as per directions from here....I don't think I can mess anything else up...I hope...

Bulldog...

Dec 27, 2005 | 01:02 PM

#20

Bulldog44

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I had the car towed to the Ford dealer....and for $344 they will rebuild the key lock cylinder....it was the key lock, not the steering lock...

This is not good...
Bulldog...

Last edited by Bulldog44; Dec 27, 2005 at 01:26 PM.

Dec 27, 2005 | 03:59 PM

#21

Bulldog44

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UPDATE....
My Ford dealership just called and the key cylinder is fixed! They also gave me a cut on the cost, which helped a lot. My beef is not with my dealership (they go above and beyond helping me) but with Ford. I called Ford and made a complaint, so it's documented now. It seems the Ford Focus has had this problem with a faulty key lock cylinder for some time...now is the time for a recall, it would be the right thing for them to do. I own three Fords, which all have been very good vehicles, except for the key lock-up on the Focus.
Oh, and almost forgot...the crappy design of hubcaps on my wife's Windstar van, the worst hubcap of ALL time!
Thanks to all for the help and suggestions on my problem.
Bulldog...
2004 XLT 4x4
2000 Focus SE
1998 Windstar Van

Last edited by Bulldog44; Dec 27, 2005 at 04:03 PM.