Ford guys, I need info please

[Jimmy9190]

I just got a call from my mother in law, she has a 2001 Ford Crown Vic, 4.6 engine, automatic, the car has maybe 120,000 miles on it now.

She told me that recently the ignition key has been a little harder to turn than usual, and today she came home, parked the car at her house and urned the key back to shut off the engine, engine shut off OK but the key will not turn back to the lock position so she can remove it. The key also will not turn forward either, it is stuck in what I believe is the "off" position.

She also said the power door locks will not work now either. I am guessing this is because the key cylinder is bad, and the key is still stuck in the switch but I don't know much about Fords. Any Ford guys seen this before? If so what was the fix?

I am looking online for info on this but figured I would ask here first. Thanks for any info.

 

[JDW]

Not sure about the CV but a Tbird there is a small screw up in the lower cover that you loosen to remove the cylinder . Loosen screw turn key to run and it will pull out. Have replaced a few for many odd things happening.

 

[bdcardinal]

Sounds like the ignition cylinder, the one from Ford has to be built to your existing keys so you do not have to reprogram the PATS. 1L3Z-11582-A is the Ford p/n.

By chance does she have a lot of keys on her key-ring? The added weight puts stress on the cylinder and causes these issues.

 

[147_Grain]

Try wiggling the steering wheel to take the pressure off and then turn the key cylinder.

 

[Rand]

Is it in park fully? if not you will have those problems.

 

[Jarlaxle]

That! Push the shifter all the way up, hold it there, & try to get the key out.

 

[Barkleymut]

Look up dorman lock cylinder. I got one from advance auto for under $40 and it worked perfect on our old Chrysler van. Didn't have to get new keys or anything.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Thanks for your help. Not a lot of keys or other stuff on her key ring AFAIK. Car is in park but the key cylinder is stuck, won't move forward or backward. My mother in law lives 60 miles away, so I called her and she said she already tried the wiggle the steering wheel trick, but it did not work.

I saw a You Tube video of a guy sticking a small screwdriver in a hole on the bottom of the steering column cover, pressing a release button on the bottom of the cylinder and it popped right out. Then he re-inserted it again, is it really that easy? He did not even have to remove the steering column cowl pieces.

Also how common is the transponder key in Fords? How can I tell which key she has? On Dodges it's easy, gray keys are the immobilizer system, plain black keys are the normal ignition.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190

I saw a You Tube video of a guy sticking a small screwdriver in a hole on the bottom of the steering column cover, pressing a release button on the bottom of the cylinder and it popped right out. Then he re-inserted it again, is it really that easy? He did not even have to remove the steering column cowl pieces.


Yes, it really is that easy when you can turn the key to the run position. You don't need to remove the shroud first and normally the shroud is removed/reinstalled only while the lock cylinder is out so as not to break anything.

Try jamming the shift lever into park good and hard as if you need to get to the bathroom in a hurry and aren't sure you'll make it.

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190

Also how common is the transponder key in Fords?

Hers has it.

 

[bdcardinal]

Unless her car is a Police Interceptor, she has a transponder key.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Thanks again. Looks like I don't get to be the hero and fix this one. The car is 60 miles away, it's the weekend, every Ford dealership within a 100 mile radius has their Parts departments closed on Sunday, some are even closed on Saturday too so this will have to wait until Monday regardless.

She does have a spare key the Ford Parts guys could make up a new cylinder for her but what good is that if I can't remove the old cylinder because the key will not turn to the run position? I hate to say it but she will probably have to get the car towed to Ford and let them fix it.

How do you remove t he cylinder when the key is stuck and can't turn to the run position?

 

[JDW]

Jimmy like said not sure about the CV , The MN-12's have a rod that runs down the inside of the column from the back side of the cylinder to a box under the dash this will keep one from turning to run. I just take the covers off and everything is pretty much easy to get to. I would think the CV would be on the same principle.

 

[yonyon]

Sometimes when things are all jammed up you just have to smack them around some to (temporarily) unjam them. If you can convince her to whack the key a couple of times (I'm assuming she's old and frail, otherwise say "tap" instead of "whack") the key with the business end of a pickle jar you just might be able to get her mobile and worry about heroing tomorrow.

Wiggling and jiggling are also good techniques. Tell her to wiggle and jiggle everything she can reach from the driver's seat regardless of whether or not she thinks that should have anything to do with anything.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Thanks again. I read in a Ford forum you can tap the switch with a hammer or grip it with Channel Locks to get it to move forward to the run position and then remove the cylinder. We are going to visit her tomorrow and I will check it out then. If I can get the old cylinder out I will use her spare OEM key and take it to a local Ford dealer near my office on Monday. I will get them to make a new cylinder to match the OEM key then go back and install it for her later this week. This will keep costs to a minimum vs. her having the car towed to the Ford dealer where she lives and paying for labor plus a tow. She has relatives living close by and neighbors she can call on if she needs a ride anywhere over the next few days.

Again, thanks for the help here.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Well as it turns out the problem was not the cylinder. My mother in law had parked the car with the steering wheel cranked hard to the right and turned off the ignition without straightening the wheels. My brother in law lives nearby, he went over earlier today and muscled the wheel so the key would turn. Ignition cylinder appears to be doing fine now and my mother in law now knows it is very important to straighten the wheels before turning off the ignition.

Thanks for all the help on this.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Ignition cylinder appears to be doing fine now and my mother in law now knows it is very important to straighten the wheels before turning off the ignition.


Unfortunately, this is wrong. She should not be straightening the wheel before she shuts the ignition off, she should be letting go of the steering wheel before shutting off the ignition. There is a big difference. If she turns the steering wheel to the straight position with her left hand and immediately shuts off the ignition with her right hand she'll have the same problem. Try it.

 

[Jimmy9190]

BIL is the one who instructed her on the placement of the wheel. I was not part of that discussion. She drove the car to meet me and my wife for lunch today and then back to her house for a visit so maybe it will be OK.

 

[Rand]

so what was the final diagnosis on this? it was the steering wheel lock?

 

[Jimmy9190]

She turned the wheels all the way to one side and shut off the engine. This locked the steering wheel real hard so she could not wiggle it enough to be able to turn the ignition key. AFAIK the cylinder is ok and the car starts normally now.

 

[threeputtpar]

I see that the problem has been resolved, but aren't these the same lock cylinders that started cars on fire? I remeber seeing a thread a while ago of the aftermath of a Crown Vic that went up in flames due to the cylinder catching something on fire.