help ignition key wont turn

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Jan 4, 2006 | 10:37 AM

the Goat

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help ignition key wont turn

As I said in another thread I'm having clutch/transmission problem. So the bronco was towed to Aamco transmission on friday. They said the key wouldn't turn, so I went down to see for myself.

Sure enough the ignition key will not turn at all. It isn't frozen or difficult to turn. It is totaly locked out from turning. I reached up past the fuse pannel and put my fingers on the ignition rod. I couldn't feel it moving at all when I tried to turn the key.

What could be the cause of this? I'm thinking the towtruck driver might have turned the wheels with out the key in the ignition? Or somebody didn't know about the button you need to press to remove the key from the ignition and just ripped it out?

Please help it is cold out and I need my bronco.
:-( <== me frozen with out the bronco

edit: It is a 1990 XLT with 5.0L EFI smallblock and M5OD tranismission.

Jan 4, 2006 | 11:46 AM

the Goat

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I did a little searching and found this thread. It sounds like my problem is a broken lock cylinder. Sounds messy to fix. Maybe I can get my parrents AAA to do it.

Still if anybody has another explination for my problem please post. Or experance fixing a broken lock cylinder.

Jan 4, 2006 | 03:03 PM

Towmanjbo

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From: Manchester, CT USA

Can you turn the steering wheel? It's probally locked putting pressure on the ignition switch. Try turning the wheel when turning the key. The wheel will have a little play in one direction, it will be hard to turn. By forcing the wheel a little bit it will release the tension on the key switch and allow it to work. This happens to mine sometimes.

Jan 4, 2006 | 03:14 PM

the Goat

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The wheel is locked from turning in both directions. I tried turning the wheel both directions while pushing the steering colloum in every direction while giggiling the key arround and in and out. Nothing is making the key turn.

Jan 4, 2006 | 04:27 PM

poffutt

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From: Houston

Try getting someone to push the truck forward and backwards while trying the steering wheel and key giggiling. If that don't work blame blame Aamco.

Jan 4, 2006 | 05:57 PM

the Goat

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Quote:

Originally Posted by poffutt

Try getting someone to push the truck forward and backwards while trying the steering wheel and key giggiling. If that don't work blame blame Aamco.

Actually I have a remote starter on the Bronco. I was able to start it and move in first gear a couple of feet. But the remote start will turn off as soon as the break is pressed. Luckily it is parked on a hill with a curb behind the rear tires. But moving it like that didn't help with the problem at all.