The key cylinder is in lock position. How can I get it to unlock or replace it?

 

First off, welcome to R/F.

Second off, what year is your truck?

It could possibly be that your steering wheel is what is keeping it from unlocking. Try to turn the wheel a small amount and then try to turn the key.

 

the truck is 1985. I have tried turning the wheel several times.

 

kind of an obvious thing to try... but is they key in the ignition? might help if you gave us a lot more details as to when this happened, what you were doing, how this started....

 

The key will come out no problem. I had removed the key while I was replacing the fuse for the stop lights last night. I inserted the key and it would not unlock to start the truck.. There was no problem until then. I had removed the key several times and then started the vechile without any problem.

 

Well if you can get the cylinder to turn, which I'm assuming you cannot, then you can pop it right out by pushing in the retaining pin on the housing.

If you can't get the cylinder to turn, you have to drill out the old one. Right down the middle of the cylinder where the key would go. You'll have to get it all the way (I'm guessing here, but probably up to about 3/8" bit at least), then start going around with the drill. Once you can get it to turn with a screw driver, then you can proceed with popping it out.

All in all, for drilling, plan on spending at least an hour and a half...and put some plastic down because you're going to get metal shavings everywhere.

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So try and get that key to turn any way you can before you start drilling because it is a serious PITA

 

I finally got the cylinder to turn but depressing the pin on the lower side will not allow the cylinder to pull out. When i turn the cylinder to lock i have to push on the pin to get the cylinder to unlock. It takes about 15 minutes to get the cylinder to unlock. The pin depress Approx 3/16" when the cylinder is in unlocked position. Do you have any idea why the cylinder will not release?

 

You have to turn it to the RUN position

 

Thanks I will try that. Will changing the switch solve the problem with it being hard to unlock?

 

I have a 1986 Ranger and having same problem as Fordman. Absolutely no warning!. Key went in and truck started no problem until this afternoon. Made short trip (luckily walking distance from home) inserted key, would not turn, and no amount of steering wheel shaking and other tapping around column would make a difference.

Had replaced ignition swith a few months ago, thought it might have froze, took it off, no change. Tried to jiggle little pin that engages ignition switch, no help.

Is it time to get out the 3/8" drill bit?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

1986XLT

 

Not sure what the the world is coming to but this just happened to me as well! I did get mine out and have ordered a new cylinder and key.... I pounded the pin in and then pulled the cylinder out with pliers....

 

When the switch locked up I sprayed it with WD40 and then moved the pin with a punch. It locked up a couple times after that and then it has not loced up since.. The pin may have been out of place. I cannot be sure what fixed the switch but its works great now. While I was having trouble with the switch I left the swich in the unlocked position and used the other key to unlock the doors. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Fordman,
I will try the WD40 (and PB Blaster, and whatever else migh help). If all else fails, there is always the "dreaded drill".

Trying to love my 1986XLT

 

Sighman,
Please describe "pounded the pin in". Was that with the cylinder in the "lock"position?. Mine won't budge out of "lock".

Thanks

 

I took a punch and moved the pin a little bit thought maybe it was catching. It took a couple hours to get the cylinder to unlock. I am not sure moving the pin , spraying the cylinder or working the cylinder with the key while turning the steering wheel back and forth but something did.

 

Well, here's my solution. It turns out (no pun intended) that the key was not inserted far enough. I put it in like always, but there must have been something in the front of it, because after spraying lots of PB and lots more shaking, I had the idea to tap on the end of the key, it went in just a hair more, and then it would turn. Already had a new lock cylinder (with keys, about $15 from Autozone for my '86). You must turn lock to "run" position to get pin to go in. I imagine with lots of hammering you might get it to break the soft metal of the cylinder, but it has to go in about 1/8" before it will release cylinder. If you buy a new cylinder, you can see how it works, and this makes it a lot easier to figure our how to get it out. Good Luck

 

Sorry fore the delay in responding and I'm glad to hear you got it! Mine is a 88 so the key and cylinder is kind of sloppy which helped. I couple good hard swings with a hammer and center punch and the pin went in enough that I could pull the cylinder, no harm no foul, new one went right in with no problems!

 

Put me in line behind you. After 339 Thousand miles on my 02 truck it finally got me stuck. I had tried in vain to get the steering wheel unlocked. I gave up and called a tow. He looked at the position of the front wheels (turned hard left) and then put some good force to the steering wheel to unstick it. I'm saying More then just a simple jiggling of the wheel.
He said to always try and straighten the wheels out when you put it in park because sometimes when it's put in park with the front wheels turned hard it can jam. He also said it can happen on many models of cars.
Anyway, I paid 35.00 for the knowledge. I Hope this little event can save somebody a few bucks someday.