2004 Expedition ignition switch problem

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

gary - 25 Mar 2005 22:32 GMT

Anyone else experience a problem with trying to get the key to turn in
the ignition switch. Ours has on several occasions locked up to where
the key won't turn in the cylinder. Moving the steering wheel up or down
doesn't help and of course you can't budge the shift lever.

Gary

Reply to this Message

Hairy - 26 Mar 2005 00:59 GMT

> Anyone else experience a problem with trying to get the key to turn in
> the ignition switch. Ours has on several occasions locked up to where
> the key won't turn in the cylinder. Moving the steering wheel up or down
> doesn't help and of course you can't budge the shift lever.
>
> Gary

Instead of moving the wheel up and down, try turning it, either direction.
How did you get the key to turn on the other occasions?
H

Reply to this Message

Tyrone - 26 Mar 2005 05:18 GMT

Sometimes this is caused when you have turned the wheel just before
turning off the ignition. Try gently forcing the steering wheel in one
direction and then the other, while trying to turn the key. Other
times, what happens is the pins in the tumbler extend while you insert
the key. Sometimes they don't retract to where they belong once the key
is all the way into position. This will prevent you from turning the
wheel or moving the shift lever out of the park position. If the lock
fails in this manner, it can not be removed with the conventional method
that involves inserting a small rod from below the column. The lock
will need to be destroyed in the process of removal. You can bet that
when it does fail in this manner, it will be at the most inopportune
time. Try lubricating the keyway with graphite before final failure..

Reply to this Message