New Ignition Cylinder Help.

j20000 · Jan 24, 2006

New Ignition Cylinder Help. Now with Pics!!!

Thanks to Steve (FORDSVTPARTS)...he helped me with this a few weeks ago...so I used most of his instructions, and added some stuff. Everybody's had problems with this...and everybody thinks that it is going to cost a ton of money, or you have to drill it out...well you dont...here it is:

1. To replace the cylinder you just remove the column shrouds to gain access to the cylinder, you will need to be able to turn the cylinder to remove it the easy way.

2. If you are having probems getting your key to turn then try the old "hit it with the palm of your hand method". This should be enough to get the key turned.

3. Turn the steering wheel 1/2 turn to the right so that you have easy access to the lock cylinder, and some working room. With the key turned to the "on" position, there is a small hole in the housing, that the cylinder goes into, that faces towards the driver, Use a small pick or philips screwdriver or whatever will go in the hole, push in the release pin inside the hole and the cylinder slides right out.

4. If you absolutely can't turn it you will have to drill it out or take it in somewhere and have the job done.

5. Once the old cylinder is out the new one slides in by aligning the "d" shape inside and it will now work, Thats it.

Note: Most dealerships will build the cylider to match your keys, some charge for this and others don't. Just call the parts department, give them your VIN...and they can look up your Key Code, cut you a Non-Programed PATS key, and build your new ignition cylinder off of that. Or you can take them your programed key (if you have a spare). If you are like most if us that leave your key in the ignition once you start having this problem...DONT TAKE IT OUT. This will help you in the removal of the broken cylinder. Hope this clears up everyones questions.

all2envyZx3 · Feb 5, 2006

:lol:
are you talking about me!
:lol:

BLUE_02_ZX3 · Feb 11, 2006

so is it best to get a focus replacement cylinder then? cuz I heard something at one point about getting a explorer cylinder and they can cut it to your key and that it doesnt have this problem. how much are the cylinders?

Z63R · Feb 11, 2006

j20000 said:
Hope this clears up everyones questions.

Dude, this is a huge help. :thumbup:

Thank you in advance should I ever need these instructions.

j20000 · Feb 12, 2006

Z63R said:
Dude, this is a huge help. :thumbup:

Thank you in advance should I ever need these instructions.

Anytime Chris...I do what I can. Since I have had my car since 2000, I have had pretty much every problem one could have with a Foci.

opus1 · Feb 13, 2006

EDIT: FocalJet Sponsors only, please.

papashonga · Feb 16, 2006

got one question.... well, maybe a couple. right now, i can't get my key to turn at all. i've read somewhere that a slide hammer will do the trick, but do i have to have the key turned in order to make the slide hammer work, or can i just screw a screw into the keyhole and pull it that way?

second question... i ordered a motorcraft cylinder to replace the old one, how do i key it or will i have to have a locksmith do that?

i really hope someone can help me...

j20000 · Feb 17, 2006

you can have any of the parts guys at the ford dealership set the tumblers for your key. You should be able to jar the ignition loose by putting the key in the ignition and hitting the key with the palm of your hand a few times. you only need to turn the key that one time to get it out. If you cant get it...then the job does get a little tricky. You will have to drill it out. I dont really have an answer for you on the slide hammer, as I have never done it...but I would try to get the ignition cylinder loose by the method I mentioned. Good luck...if you have any more questions...feel free to send me a PM and I will do the best I can to answer them.

blackgrrl23 · Mar 27, 2006

My key will go in and out of the ignition cylinder with no problem, but the key will not turn at all. My steering wheel is locked and I can't move it for anything. Should I just give up and take her to the dealer or is there another way to get the cylinder out? I don't have much money being a single mom....please help!

whiskeytangofoxtrot · Mar 30, 2006

Did you try to pull the wheel to the left while you pound on the key and turn it? Try it and let us know if it works.

ax0n · Mar 30, 2006

blackgrrl23 said:
My key will go in and out of the ignition cylinder with no problem, but the key will not turn at all. My steering wheel is locked and I can't move it for anything. Should I just give up and take her to the dealer or is there another way to get the cylinder out? I don't have much money being a single mom....please help!

Seriously, you're in a situation where drilling it or getting professional help is needed.

Croc_Tease! · Apr 22, 2006

I'm still driving around with a big hole in mine :lol:

VizualXTacyZX3 · May 3, 2006

oh yes,im glad you posted this because im about to hit my 3rd lock ign. cylinder:rant:

so i appreciate the instructions with photo's:thumbup:

j20000 · May 3, 2006

Hey, its the least I can do...I turn my misfortune into a learning experience for all

blackgrrl23 · May 3, 2006

ax0n said:
Seriously, you're in a situation where drilling it or getting professional help is needed.

Actually the day after this I hit the key with a hammer and it has been working OK ever since! :lol:

I still ride with a spare ignition cylinder and a printout of these instructions in the glovebox just in case

j20000 · May 3, 2006

blackgrrl23 said:
Actually the day after this I hit the key with a hammer and it has been working OK ever since! :lol:

I still ride with a spare ignition cylinder and a printout of these instructions in the glovebox just in case

Change that thing already...do it while you still can, so that you dont have to drill it out.

all2envyZx3 · May 5, 2006

Badgerbacker89 · May 9, 2006

Mine sat for a couple weeks, stubbornly refusing to allow any ket rotion despite repeated taps with the palm of my hand and even a hammer on many occasions. I finely decided to suck it up and drill it out. But moments ago, figuring I had nothing to lose, I whacked the sh** out of it with a hammer and it worked.

fitzfocus · Jul 4, 2006

opus1 said:
Contact Mike at b16sir1991 in ff, He works for Ford Parts & can get you a new unit w/extra door key for $65.00 shipped. He will also personally built it to your FIN #.

Hey. I need to look into this. I have a sticky ignition. Could you give me some more details on this exactly. Contact mike at b16sir1991 in ff? I'm not sure what that means. Also, I bought my 2001 Focus used, how do I know what my FIN # is? Any help? Thanks.

j20000 · Jul 5, 2006

fitzfocus said:
Hey. I need to look into this. I have a sticky ignition. Could you give me some more details on this exactly. Contact mike at b16sir1991 in ff? I'm not sure what that means. Also, I bought my 2001 Focus used, how do I know what my FIN # is? Any help? Thanks.

OK...here is a little help for you. b16sir1991 is the guys screen name...and FF is "Focus Fanatics" its another Focus forum (www.focusfanatics.com) But I would contact Steve (FORDSVTPARTS) on here or send me a PM, I just got one for Cruizin4L from my dad...he is a Ford Parts Manager. I dont see how that guy is getting them for people at $65 with a PATS key...that was a pretty big hook up. If you get it from Steve or my Dad, its gonna be about $110. Oh...FIN# was supposed to be VIN#. The Ford dealership can cut you a key and build an ignition cylinder off of your VIN#.

fitzfocus · Jul 16, 2006

b16sir1991 came through with an ignition cylinder. I was using this "how to" along with my Haynes manual to change the cylinder yesterday. Everything went fine except I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to depress the lock plunger/release pin. I was referencing the new cylinder to see how it depresses but couldn't really figure it out. There seems to be a lot of metal on the right side of the hole. That slopes off to flat at the left side of the hole. I feel like I'm missing something. I tried pushing down, pushing to the right. Pushing the key in while pushing down. Nothing, key is in the accessory position. Can someone please try to explain in a little more detail how you to engage that release pin. Thanks.

j20000 · Jul 18, 2006

yes...that pin is sloped so that it is thicker toward the passanger side of the car....push the whole cylinder to the left, so that it releases the pressure on the cylinder...then push the pin in with something as you are sliding out the cylinder. Its tapered so that when you slide the new cylinder in, it will depress on its own, and lock into place.

MY20ZX3 · Jul 24, 2006

Yeah, I had my lock cylinder freeze up on me, OF COURSE 3,000 miles after the warranty went. BEAUTIFUL.

The lock cylinder itself is a good $300 because it has PATS (Passive Anti-Theft Security), meaning it has an electronic chip in it that costs more than a Pentium IV that prevents the car from being stolen. And with that, they'll have to cut two new keys and program those, and that can only be done at Ford.

In other words, just prey yours doesn't bust on you.

j20000 · Jul 24, 2006

Dude....the lock cylinder itself doesnt have the PATS...you can replace the lock cylinder for around $100 thats why I did this write up. :thumbup:

S2FF · Apr 3, 2011

Found it. Thanks haha :]

MY20ZX3 · Jul 26, 2006

No ****? Ford might've ripped me off then, those ****ers.

Anyway, I'm suprised alot of people didn't know about that. All Ford lock cylinders since the 70's pull out with a screwdriver when the ignition lock cylinder is in the run position..........just make sure you disconnect the battery ground when doing this ;-)

SilverZX3Bullet · Aug 31, 2006

Thanks very much for the how-to... I swapped mine out today w/out a hitch. I used a rubber mallet to free it up. I took my siezed cylinder apart making note of the the tumbler numbers and their orientation, which made setting the tumblers in the new cylinder a breeze.

New Ignition Cylinder Help.

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