AHH!!

So like the title says, my key cylinder doesn't TURN!! It won't turn either way (forward or backwards)

Here's what I've tried.

- I thought the steering wheel was locked, so I turned it, and well, it's locked now...

- wiggling the key side to side

- pulling the steering wheel really REALLY hard to either side (left/right)

- My gears ARE in Park.

-I've tried raising the front of my truck up, so the tires aren't touching the ground.. but yeah.. no go.

any ideas? should I call a locksmith? My key still works. It can still unlock the doors, etc. Help?

 

Sounds stupid...but try the key in both directions.(turn it over) One side may be more worn than the other.

Try a different key for the truck.

Make sure none of the other things on your keychain are interferring with inserting the key all the way in...

Instead of trying to turn it toward start, try turning it toward aux(back the other way) You may "unstick" it then.

You have done the steering wheel, and shifter thing already....

Let us know when you figure it out though...

 

tried that..

I'm 2 hours away from my parent's place...

i even took the key off the keychain..

same thing... won't turn.

sooo many times..

oh for sure... its so frustrating..

 

The tumblers go bad on fords aLOT, your only bet now is to start taking the steering column apart and get to the switch to get it changed out

Rocky

 

If you have a tilt wheel try different angles also. There is also the "dope slap" to the steering column to loosen up the tumblers. I'd try using a small hammer with some duct tape on the end to tap gently on the key switch (with the key out) to try dislodging whatever is restricting it. You may have gotten some debris in there that has forced a tumbler up too far and is holding it there.

Try spraying a bit of graphite lube in there also if all else fails (nothing to lose) then quickly tap on the cylinder. When the lube is still in the "wet" state it may loosen whatever is holding it back. When it drys, it won't be attracting dirt (the main reason not to use wet lubes in locks).

 

is lithium grease a wet lube? if not, try that. I think it comes in a spray with a tiny straw to direct the spray into the key hole.

 

mine was doing this, then i looked at my key and it was bent from being in my pants and someone walking on em.

 

Yes, lithium etc are "wet" lubes from the standpoint that they remain "tacky" or liquid.

Graphite is a "dry" lube that leaves a thin layer of graphite on things once the carrier solvent evaporates. That doesn't attract dirt like "wet" or "tacky" lubes. Tolerances are real small in lock cylinders and causing dust and particles to build up leads to failure.

 

Make sure the key is going all the way in, not bent, nothing stuck in the lock cylinder. It's rare for a tumbler to simply jam up like that unless it's severely worn or somethings stuck inside. Not being able to turn the lock to the "on" position will make tumbler replacement very difficult, the tumbler release pin will only move in the on position. Be carefull about hammering on the collum, just a few light taps at best, the casting is pretty fragile. Try all your keys, look closely at how far they go in. On most the head of the key is nearly burried into the top of the tumbler when it's in all the way.
Make sure that the cylinder is in the locked position as well, I've seen worn keys get removed and not go back in since the tumbler is still forward. Check for a shift interlock problem too if you have an auto.
I wouldn't spray any "grease" into the lock, that will only make the tumblers sticky, but at this point, any light penetrant may help, chances are if the tumbler is in that bad of shape, it's not going to be around long enough to worry about attracting dirt, if you get it to turn, and the problem ends up being in the tumbler itself, replace it, if you go to a dealer, with a working door key, they can order the correct tumbler so you can still have only one key.

It may sound strange, but I've had luck removing broken bits from key cylinders with a shop vac.

 

I’m having the exact same ignition problem with my 2009 Ford ranger, did you ever figure out how to troubleshoot it?? Every ignition cylinder replacement video I find needs the ignition to be in the run position which mine won’t move to so I’m not even sure how I would replace it!