Ignition Key Cylinder

[boat]

Yep, I think I have this replacement in my future.

I can pull the key out while it is running. From searching I found this is a common symptom that it is either broke, or on its way to being broke.

I had read through Bizzy's dash removal Sticky, it talks about to remove the ignition key cylinder, one has to use a small allen wrench and push up through a hole in the plastic steering column trim, on a the "pin" that holds the cylinder in.

Am I missing something? When I was dis-assembling an interior a while back, I tried this and nothing happened. Meaning, nothing "pushed" in, and the lock cylinder stayed where it was.

So, how does this lock cylinder come out? By the way, it is on a 94 MTX.

Thanks,:wave:

 

[Phoenix]

The key needs to be in , and in ON position , then you press that little tab , then you wiggle it out (with the key) but usually the key stays in and it gives you some leverage to get it out.

You can grab a whole assembly with a new key at Ford at around 50$ but that new key wont fit the doors.

 

[SHORANGERBIRD]

-IF the dealer has a guy that knows how to "read" the keys, he can get you the correct one, as they come with only the ign. cyl part cut, and then they have to cut the door part into it. sometimes its a pain to do, sometimes its easy. i've sat here for 2-3 hours on one guessing at cuts and going thru the code book before i hit on it.......

 

[93rev2sev]

Or copy your door key to one side and copy the ign key that came with the new cyl. to the other side. Flip the key one way to open the doors and flip it the other way to start the car.

 

[rubydist]

someone had a nice writeup on how to make that work, but the basic concept is that on Ford locks, the ignition uses some of the cuts on the key and the door uses other cuts on the key and the only one that overlaps is the 5th cut, iirc. so, you have to match up that overlapping cut on the new ignition cylinder. as I understand it, the new ignition keys come only partially cut, and then you have to make the appropriate cuts in the new ignition key to match your 'old' door cuts and the whole system works.

 

[Devin]

Assuming that the Gen2 steering columns are the same as the Gen1, this should help in the removal:

http://www.meumonus.com/html/cars_sho_tech_1.html

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Prices are probably out of date, but the last V6 lock cylinder I replaced cost $12 at AutoZone, plus another $15 for a locksmith to re-key to my existing key.

 

[d2freak82]

there is a guy on ebay that sells the ignition key cylinder that you send him your vin and he matches your key... or at least that's the way I understood it. It wasn't that expensive either. I was considering it because if my key is out I can spin the 2 tabs you turn to start your car all the way around.

 

[SHOZ123]

I got a new cylinder at a locksmith and he rekeyed it to my old key for $20 total.