key will not turn ignition switch
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key will not turn ignition switch
Hey, I have a '97 F150 and I can't turn the ignition switch. It worked fine yesterday. I put the key in and it acts like it's the wrong key. It chimes when it slips in but it will not rotate at all. I have a 2nd key and it does the same thing?
I have tried to insert the key part way , all the way with force/ and with little force and still nothing.
I have a remote start and the truck starts fine. Could some parts inside the ignition have worn down?
How hard is it to replace?
I have tried to insert the key part way , all the way with force/ and with little force and still nothing.
I have a remote start and the truck starts fine. Could some parts inside the ignition have worn down?
How hard is it to replace?
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yeah, did that. The steering intially was NOT locked. So I tried turning it and then it locked. So I know my first attempts were not fighting the steering lock. So I don't believe it's that. I also played with the tilt in various positions and the gear shift. Still nothing. The key slides pretty easily into the ignition. I don't feel any real vibrations as the notches on the key enter the ignition.
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Also, in the manual it says that you have to turn the key to "Run" to remove the lock cylinder, then insert a 1/8" punch into the slot. If I can't turn the cylinder.....how can I remove it?
I see these idiots on cops with a giant Screwdriver in a stolen car. Will I have to do something like this????
So much for camping this weekend....Ford is closed and autozone can't order the part. It's on backorder besides it would take a few days.
I see these idiots on cops with a giant Screwdriver in a stolen car. Will I have to do something like this????
So much for camping this weekend....Ford is closed and autozone can't order the part. It's on backorder besides it would take a few days.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: SE Wyoming
Sounds like a tumbler went bad, it is quite common with the Focus, to remove it you have to carefully drill a hole to remove the bad tumbler. Do a search for it on Focus' and you will find all kinds of info. Any locksmith will be able to replace it as well for $100 or less.
Posting Guru
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From: Iowa
you cant start one of these with out the OEM key or one made for the vehicle... they have a special chip/or resistor of some sort that is specific for each vehicle.. has to be there for the ignition to work...
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Originally Posted by BURNSTOUGHFORD
you cant start one of these with out the OEM key or one made for the vehicle... they have a special chip/or resistor of some sort that is specific for each vehicle.. has to be there for the ignition to work...
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Postmaster
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From: SE Wyoming
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i know this may sound dumb and i hate to say it but it happened to me once....are ya sure its in park? lol!! i went to get into my truck and start it and the my key was doing teh same thing....my shifter doesnt line up fully on the letters...the shifter is loose or something, not sure how to fix...but anyways i simply moved teh shifter all the way up to P and my key worked fabulously. The truck was actually in park but the shifter was between P and R so the key wouldnt work. Like i said it happened to me...ya never know....good luck
Posting Guru
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by galaxie641
PATS didn't come until '99 and it won't stop your key cylinder from turning.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Simi Valley, CA
ah yeah, its embarrasing but i have had all those stupid things happen to me, like pinky said, if its not in park, or you dont push the clutch quite all the way, or the steering wheel is locked, i always feel so dumb, but its worth checking again! just to make sure!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
Happened to me on my 98, nothing worked, tryed another key.. nada. Not torque locked, shifter in park, finally sprayed WD40 into cylinder, reemed the key in and out about 20 times, turned like buttah'. Have to believe it was a sticky tumbler caught on the shure line of the lock. That was a year ago, has never done it since. For the member who has the shifter that indicates the wrong gear (automatic) there is a small wheel adjuster under the dash that moves the pointer so you can adjust it spot on for the gear you are in . It also easy to break the little plastic housing that the gear sits in when you pull the instrument cluster out to change bulbs, (super glue will fix though)
Spotty
Spotty
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No,It's not the gear shift. I went nutz on the shifter,steering wheel, tilt, etc. while trying to turn the key. Still nothing. Tried the WD-40 also, with no luck.
I'll have to read up on the focus thread to find out how to remove the cyliner with it in the off position......
You know...with all the problems I've had with this truck....Maybe I should not complain about Ford but thank them. They are training me for a new career as an auto mechanic......Thanx Ford!
I'll have to read up on the focus thread to find out how to remove the cyliner with it in the off position......
You know...with all the problems I've had with this truck....Maybe I should not complain about Ford but thank them. They are training me for a new career as an auto mechanic......Thanx Ford!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
If you can take a lock pick, or make one out of an old hacksaw blade, on the tumbler side of the inner cylinder, "rake the tumblers" all the way to the top. Don't use any type of tension on the lock cylinder when you do this. Spray some more Wd in their when you do it, if you have a stuck tumbler above the shure line it may drop back down. If you keep a lot of keys on your ring the tumbler furthest back may be the one stuck "above line". Good Luck..
Spotty..
Spotty..