Key won't turn!
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Everett, WA
Key won't turn!
I've got a 1977 Ranchero. I went to start it a few days ago and the ignition won't turn! It is a column shift automatic. I'm not totally sure the key is going in all the way but I am pretty sure it is now (when this problem first started it wouldn't but I think i got it to go all the way in). Has anyone had this happen to them? How did you fix it??
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
The key cylinder is probably wore out, if you cant get the key in all the way chances are some of the teeth are wore and binding in the cylinder. Maybe try and put some graphite in there i dont know if spraying somthing in there is a good idea. I had this problem in a 80's chevy and i had to replace the key cylinder. If you can get the key all the way in and it dosent move at all, the best thing to do is replace the cyinder with a new one. You can get them from dennis-carpenter.com, macs.com and i believe that Wells mfg also makes them. Autokrafters.com is another site worth checking out.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,402
Likes: 1
From: Delisle/Vanscoy, Sk.
It sounds like the pins are wore out. Graphite is the only lubricant needed to put in the keyway. Any liquid lubricant will only gum the cylinder up.
Most locksmiths can help here, also most Ford dealers can get you a replacement cyl. for around a $100.00 not including installation.
My truck is doing that right now. Also my shifter lever is wore out on the colunm. So I have a parts truck and going further and changing the whole steering colunm.
It means if you change the cyl you may have a different key than what works in the door afterwards.
If you do not fix, it can jam the lock and leave you somewhere you do not want to be.
Most locksmiths can help here, also most Ford dealers can get you a replacement cyl. for around a $100.00 not including installation.
My truck is doing that right now. Also my shifter lever is wore out on the colunm. So I have a parts truck and going further and changing the whole steering colunm.
It means if you change the cyl you may have a different key than what works in the door afterwards.
If you do not fix, it can jam the lock and leave you somewhere you do not want to be.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Everett, WA
Alright, I will try the graphite when I can. But if that doesn't work, does anyone know how I can get the cylinder out like this? According to my manual I need the key in the on position to get the cylinder out. I already have the steering wheel off so i can get in there if I need to do that. Maybe just drill out that little pin that holds it in?
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,402
Likes: 1
From: Delisle/Vanscoy, Sk.
No do not drill the pin that holds it in. You need a small still wire like a welding rod to fit in the hole. You push that in and it should release the key cyl.
You push that pin in and pull the cylinder out at the same time. The cylinder should come out easy. If you do this. You then can go to a locksmith who can replace/repair the cyl. for a lot less.
Once you have a new lock cyl. You have the key in the on postion slide it in. and I cannot recall, I think you push the pin in again while pushing the cyl in. This helps it to lock in postion in the colunm. Once in release the pin and turn key off postion. It should then work fine.
You push that pin in and pull the cylinder out at the same time. The cylinder should come out easy. If you do this. You then can go to a locksmith who can replace/repair the cyl. for a lot less.
Once you have a new lock cyl. You have the key in the on postion slide it in. and I cannot recall, I think you push the pin in again while pushing the cyl in. This helps it to lock in postion in the colunm. Once in release the pin and turn key off postion. It should then work fine.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,402
Likes: 1
From: Delisle/Vanscoy, Sk.
Try this to turn the key. You know how people always wiggle the keys when doors are sticky. Problem is they twist the keys in the locks. The trick is to bounce the key up and down. This action will help bounce the tumblers loose and up in the cyl so the key will slide in to place. When your bouncing the key up and down you put a bit of force on turning at the same time. It should turn once all the pins bounce up where they should be to turn the cyl.
Too bad you are not near me. A few thousand miles is kinda a hinderance.
This is a trick we use at work all the time. I work in Maintenance for 3 hospitals. and they have lots of old locks that stick.
Too bad you are not near me. A few thousand miles is kinda a hinderance.
This is a trick we use at work all the time. I work in Maintenance for 3 hospitals. and they have lots of old locks that stick.
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