Please post if your ignition has locked! - Page 11 - The Ford Focus Forum

**gabor_nagy** · 08-11-2005, 02:20 AM

It's happening to my sister right now.

She can't miss work because she'll get fired... add me to the list.

**MZAXR3C** · 08-11-2005, 08:51 PM

Mine locked up about 1 1/2 months ago. Replaced the ignition tumbler. The tow truck even scraped my front bumper. And on top of that, I got a speeding ticket the day before it broke down! My life is soooo perfect!!!!

....oh, I had to spend $400 for the darn tumbler, well, it was mostly for labor. So, yeah, next time it breaks down on me again, I'm trading it in and using the $$$ for down payment!

**Bogart2892** · 08-12-2005, 12:45 PM

Maybe this is happening from people placing their keys in at an angle? just a thought

**zedexthree** · 08-12-2005, 02:11 PM

It's an odd thing, to have so many people with issues, yet no tsb out, no recall?

My practice is to always ensure the key is free of moisture. Wipe it before you insert the key.

I wonder if giving it a bit of silicone spray once per year or so would prevent issues?

aedex3

**Mjasinski** · 08-15-2005, 03:23 AM

yup mine did

**Flofocus** · 08-15-2005, 03:02 PM

$386.00

Just left a comlaint with Ford customer Service also.

**jimcoyle1** · 08-16-2005, 06:19 PM

My 2000 Focus just did this....the only consolation is discovering that I'm not alone with this issue. I plan to show my dealer the entire string of this discussion when he tells me that he's never heard of this problem before.

**Jenni** · 08-17-2005, 05:37 PM

Mines done it several times, but i've always managed to get it to unlock after yelling and hitting it for a while

**Red_ZX3_Baron** · 08-18-2005, 11:59 PM

Use WD-40, It unjams locks great. I'v used it on my Foci 2x and ready for a 3rd, it works wonders.

**cjmartinyzx3** · 08-20-2005, 10:27 PM

happened to me right this moment, so add me to the list.

**Flofocus** · 08-24-2005, 02:15 PM

ARe you guys doing anything about this? Or is this thread just for informational purposes only????

I've already called Ford Canada Relationship centre and left a report with them.

1-800-565-3673

"I'm so sorry you were stuck for 4 hours and no tow truck would touch your dealer lowered car, have you tried Ford Road side assistance?"

I'm thinking of going to the local paper about this problem.....

**S2Texas** · 08-31-2005, 06:09 PM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!~

Add me to...dang thing...at least my key comes out. I just can't turn that dang thing to start.

I did figure on mine that if I dont turn the wheel after I turn off the car, it wont lock up...but if I toucht he wheel, ever so slightly, click---locked up city.

So check this...I leave the steering wheel straigh, exit the car, then turn it off. Same thing to start, but put the key in and turn to first notch, then get in...FREAKING HILARIOUS NOW...but this morning trying to start the car for work...NOT FUNNY!!!

I called and voiced my opinion, but they STILL claim to have never heard of this before, yet the Service rep at the dealer said they have had quite a few of these.

This just might be my last ford also...

**pzev04boy** · 08-31-2005, 08:39 PM

You guys are getting ripped off on these lock cylinder replacements. Buy the new cylinder you can key it yourself it's easy all you need is a set of snap ring pliars and chanel locks. The instructions are even in the box. You have to drill out the old cylinder if it locked. If it's just sticking you remove the plastic cover over the column and with the key in the run position push in the release tab with a pick and the cylinder slides out.

The new one goes in even easier.

If you have an 04 or older focus and your ignition has not locked yet it's going to some day. Do a little preventative replacement of the lock cylinder.

The 5S4Z-11582-BB is a completely different internal design and is in all 05 and newer focus from the factory. The 2000 - 2004 style cylinder is a junk design and it will eventually fail.

So if you have the older style cylinder you should replace it before it locks. Because it's only going to cost you the 90 bucks for the part right now.

**S2Texas** · 09-01-2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

You guys are getting ripped off on these lock cylinder replacements. Buy the new cylinder you can key it yourself it's easy all you need is a set of snap ring pliars and chanel locks. The instructions are even in the box. You have to drill out the old cylinder if it locked. If it's just sticking you remove the plastic cover over the column and with the key in the run position push in the release tab with a pick and the cylinder slides out.

The new one goes in even easier.

If you have an 04 or older focus and your ignition has not locked yet it's going to some day. Do a little preventative replacement of the lock cylinder.

The 5S4Z-11582-BB is a completely different internal design and is in all 05 and newer focus from the factory. The 2000 - 2004 style cylinder is a junk design and it will eventually fail.

So if you have the older style cylinder you should replace it before it locks. Because it's only going to cost you the 90 bucks for the part right now.

WOW

Thanks!! That is the info I NEEDED!!

Now.......gotta save up $90!!!

**Wolfie484** · 09-01-2005, 09:28 PM

My ignition locked up, too. I had to leave my key in the ignition & use the spare to unlock the doors. Luckily it was within the warranty. I also used the 'road side service' they had available (2x) because i had locked BOTH keys in the car. I now have an outside spare which, unfortunately, I still have need of, very pathetic.

PS. Keep an eye on the timing chain on the Zetec's. Mine went & gave my a hard time trying to figure it out.

Wolfie484

**pzev04boy** · 09-03-2005, 09:14 AM

Quote:

PS. Keep an eye on the timing chain on the Zetec's. Mine went & gave my a hard time trying to figure it out.

Wolfie484

Belt.

**rallyfocus** · 09-09-2005, 04:00 PM

Anyone who is drilling out the old cylinder is a fool....Just replaced one in 15 mins by using a slide hammer with a screw on the end. Popped right out with two little taps.

Borrowed the tool from the ford dealership...it's what they use!!!

**John_G** · 09-11-2005, 01:40 AM

Slide hammer aye, very Ineresting.
That's exactly what i was going to try tomorrow morning. My question is: can I then remove the tumblers and re-use the same ctlinder? Seems like the final solution to me.
John

**John_G** · 09-11-2005, 04:36 PM

OK well the slide hammer worked great! Thanks so much RF.
The cylinder came out with 4 or 5 taps for me. I was able to stick a screwdriver in there while holding the key near the transponder and start the car. This enabled me to move it off the grass where the goofy tow truck driver put it yesterday. After reaming the injured key hole a bit with a flat head screwdriver, I can slide the key right in the cylinder no problem. now to figure out how to remove the tumblers and/or disable that GD lock bar. BTW when I slide the key in, only one side of the lock bar sinks into the cyl. What a dumb reason to tow a car. Ford should equip each of thier cars with a slide hammer and the correct size screwdriver for emergency starting. I was just three blocks from my house when mine failed yesterday at a gas pump, but in the sub-zero weather we get here in Chicagoland, and in a remote location, a person could easily be in serious trouble fast. That to me spells SAFETY RECALL, no?
John

**nibyak** · 09-12-2005, 03:07 PM

My 2nd switch hasn't totally locked yet (The original was totally locked with no warning). I took the cylinder out and lubed it with lock lube but you still need to whack the key sometimes to get it to engage. I just called my local ford parts department and he said that they come assembled and unassembled. $86.00 for unassembled and $106.00 for assembled. pzev04boy, was your lock assembled when you purchased it? I saw the lock ring on the end of the old cylinder when I took it out yesterday. How easy is it to key it?

Thanks

**John_G** · 09-13-2005, 12:42 PM

nib,
Pry the tumblers and the lock bar out of the cyl. and throw them as hard as you can across the yard. That's what I did and I feel much better now. Kids got a good laugh out of it too. Right now I'm fantasizing about a Ford executive watching a video of his wife and kids being killed by a speeding train or semi because her Focus stalled from the fuel sender and the ignition switch locked when she tried to restart it.

Trouble is, I can't get the cyl. back in. The retaining clip/ring is still in there and won't snap around the end of the cyl. when I slide it back in. Also I don't know what angle of rotation the clip/ring should be while sliding the cyl. back in since everything went 'sproing' when the slide-hammer liberated the nasty offender.

Any help from anyone who's been thru this is greatly appreciated.

John

**saraheli** · 09-20-2005, 11:43 PM

i have a 96 escort and they same thing has happened to me. i am very upset and would like to know what i need to do. it is currently stuck in the ignition. i have wiggled the key , turned the steering wheel, checked the gears, etc. nothing has heped. this is my only car, any suggestion? or am i off to the mechanics tomorrow?

thank you, sarah k

**saraheli** · 09-20-2005, 11:44 PM

i have a 96 escort and they same thing has happened to me. i am very upset and would like to know what i need to do. it is currently stuck in the ignition. i have wiggled the key , turned the steering wheel, checked the gears, etc. nothing has helped. this is my only car, any suggestion? or am i off to the mechanics tomorrow?

thank you, sarah k

**Prembird** · 09-24-2005, 09:00 AM

Well count me in on this...

When I got off from work I had to pull my car around front... no problems... clocked out... got back into the car and the ignition is now locked up.. key goes in but wont turn...

So I then spent 4 hours messing with it in the parking lot... Took the entire steering assembly apart... Wheel, airbag, covers, all sensors, everything apart trying to figure out how the cylinder comes out.. Just to find out that you have to get it to the acc. postion to get it out... Im really pissed now cause of everything I did to try and figure it out...

So today I guess I will see if we carry the part (I work for O'Rielly automotive) and if not I will get the part from ford.... Now I just gotta figure a way to get the steering column back up to where its suppose to be since it has droped back into the dash... (Dont ask....)

So add my name to your listing and wish me luck...

**boostedzx3** · 09-26-2005, 07:01 PM

This is my 2nd one that just went out. So this is'nt a freekin recall? At least i dont own the car anymore after this i wont have to deal w/ it.

08-11-2005, 02:20 AM	#251 (permalink)
gabor_nagy TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 412	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! It's happening to my sister right now. She can't miss work because she'll get fired... add me to the list.

08-11-2005, 08:51 PM	#252 (permalink)
MZAXR3C TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 888	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Mine locked up about 1 1/2 months ago. Replaced the ignition tumbler. The tow truck even scraped my front bumper. And on top of that, I got a speeding ticket the day before it broke down! My life is soooo perfect!!!! ....oh, I had to spend $400 for the darn tumbler, well, it was mostly for labor. So, yeah, next time it breaks down on me again, I'm trading it in and using the $$$ for down payment!

08-12-2005, 12:45 PM	#253 (permalink)
Bogart2892 TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 118	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Maybe this is happening from people placing their keys in at an angle? just a thought

08-12-2005, 02:11 PM	#254 (permalink)
zedexthree TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Earth Posts: 477	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! It's an odd thing, to have so many people with issues, yet no tsb out, no recall? My practice is to always ensure the key is free of moisture. Wipe it before you insert the key. I wonder if giving it a bit of silicone spray once per year or so would prevent issues? aedex3

08-15-2005, 03:23 AM	#255 (permalink)
Mjasinski Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 1,643	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! yup mine did

08-15-2005, 03:02 PM	#256 (permalink)
Flofocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ottawa-ON-Canada Posts: 1,124	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! $386.00 Just left a comlaint with Ford customer Service also.

08-16-2005, 06:19 PM	#257 (permalink)
jimcoyle1 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! My 2000 Focus just did this....the only consolation is discovering that I'm not alone with this issue. I plan to show my dealer the entire string of this discussion when he tells me that he's never heard of this problem before.

08-17-2005, 05:37 PM	#258 (permalink)
Jenni Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 35	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Mines done it several times, but i've always managed to get it to unlock after yelling and hitting it for a while

08-18-2005, 11:59 PM	#259 (permalink)
Red_ZX3_Baron Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chilling in the Worlds Playground Posts: 1,109	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Use WD-40, It unjams locks great. I'v used it on my Foci 2x and ready for a 3rd, it works wonders.

08-20-2005, 10:27 PM	#260 (permalink)
cjmartinyzx3 NA Zetec Driver //// Where Bolt ons + Cams = 120whp Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marysville, MI Posts: 4,375	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! happened to me right this moment, so add me to the list.

08-24-2005, 02:15 PM	#261 (permalink)
Flofocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ottawa-ON-Canada Posts: 1,124	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! ARe you guys doing anything about this? Or is this thread just for informational purposes only???? I've already called Ford Canada Relationship centre and left a report with them. 1-800-565-3673 "I'm so sorry you were stuck for 4 hours and no tow truck would touch your dealer lowered car, have you tried Ford Road side assistance?" I'm thinking of going to the local paper about this problem.....

08-31-2005, 06:09 PM	#262 (permalink)
S2Texas Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,377	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!~ Add me to...dang thing...at least my key comes out. I just can't turn that dang thing to start. I did figure on mine that if I dont turn the wheel after I turn off the car, it wont lock up...but if I toucht he wheel, ever so slightly, click---locked up city. So check this...I leave the steering wheel straigh, exit the car, then turn it off. Same thing to start, but put the key in and turn to first notch, then get in...FREAKING HILARIOUS NOW...but this morning trying to start the car for work...NOT FUNNY!!! I called and voiced my opinion, but they STILL claim to have never heard of this before, yet the Service rep at the dealer said they have had quite a few of these. This just might be my last ford also...

08-31-2005, 08:39 PM	#263 (permalink)
pzev04boy Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Round Lake, IL Posts: 3,191	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! You guys are getting ripped off on these lock cylinder replacements. Buy the new cylinder you can key it yourself it's easy all you need is a set of snap ring pliars and chanel locks. The instructions are even in the box. You have to drill out the old cylinder if it locked. If it's just sticking you remove the plastic cover over the column and with the key in the run position push in the release tab with a pick and the cylinder slides out. The new one goes in even easier. If you have an 04 or older focus and your ignition has not locked yet it's going to some day. Do a little preventative replacement of the lock cylinder. The 5S4Z-11582-BB is a completely different internal design and is in all 05 and newer focus from the factory. The 2000 - 2004 style cylinder is a junk design and it will eventually fail. So if you have the older style cylinder you should replace it before it locks. Because it's only going to cost you the 90 bucks for the part right now.

09-01-2005, 09:28 PM	#265 (permalink)
Wolfie484 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! My ignition locked up, too. I had to leave my key in the ignition & use the spare to unlock the doors. Luckily it was within the warranty. I also used the 'road side service' they had available (2x) because i had locked BOTH keys in the car. I now have an outside spare which, unfortunately, I still have need of, very pathetic. PS. Keep an eye on the timing chain on the Zetec's. Mine went & gave my a hard time trying to figure it out. Wolfie484

09-09-2005, 04:00 PM	#267 (permalink)
rallyfocus TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada Posts: 502	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Anyone who is drilling out the old cylinder is a fool....Just replaced one in 15 mins by using a slide hammer with a screw on the end. Popped right out with two little taps. Borrowed the tool from the ford dealership...it's what they use!!!

09-11-2005, 01:40 AM	#268 (permalink)
John_G Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Slide hammer aye, very Ineresting. That's exactly what i was going to try tomorrow morning. My question is: can I then remove the tumblers and re-use the same ctlinder? Seems like the final solution to me. John

09-11-2005, 04:36 PM	#269 (permalink)
John_G Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! OK well the slide hammer worked great! Thanks so much RF. The cylinder came out with 4 or 5 taps for me. I was able to stick a screwdriver in there while holding the key near the transponder and start the car. This enabled me to move it off the grass where the goofy tow truck driver put it yesterday. After reaming the injured key hole a bit with a flat head screwdriver, I can slide the key right in the cylinder no problem. now to figure out how to remove the tumblers and/or disable that GD lock bar. BTW when I slide the key in, only one side of the lock bar sinks into the cyl. What a dumb reason to tow a car. Ford should equip each of thier cars with a slide hammer and the correct size screwdriver for emergency starting. I was just three blocks from my house when mine failed yesterday at a gas pump, but in the sub-zero weather we get here in Chicagoland, and in a remote location, a person could easily be in serious trouble fast. That to me spells SAFETY RECALL, no? John

09-12-2005, 03:07 PM	#270 (permalink)
nibyak Rookie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! My 2nd switch hasn't totally locked yet (The original was totally locked with no warning). I took the cylinder out and lubed it with lock lube but you still need to whack the key sometimes to get it to engage. I just called my local ford parts department and he said that they come assembled and unassembled. $86.00 for unassembled and $106.00 for assembled. pzev04boy, was your lock assembled when you purchased it? I saw the lock ring on the end of the old cylinder when I took it out yesterday. How easy is it to key it? Thanks

09-13-2005, 12:42 PM	#271 (permalink)
John_G Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! nib, Pry the tumblers and the lock bar out of the cyl. and throw them as hard as you can across the yard. That's what I did and I feel much better now. Kids got a good laugh out of it too. Right now I'm fantasizing about a Ford executive watching a video of his wife and kids being killed by a speeding train or semi because her Focus stalled from the fuel sender and the ignition switch locked when she tried to restart it. Trouble is, I can't get the cyl. back in. The retaining clip/ring is still in there and won't snap around the end of the cyl. when I slide it back in. Also I don't know what angle of rotation the clip/ring should be while sliding the cyl. back in since everything went 'sproing' when the slide-hammer liberated the nasty offender. Any help from anyone who's been thru this is greatly appreciated. John

09-20-2005, 11:43 PM	#272 (permalink)
saraheli Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! i have a 96 escort and they same thing has happened to me. i am very upset and would like to know what i need to do. it is currently stuck in the ignition. i have wiggled the key , turned the steering wheel, checked the gears, etc. nothing has heped. this is my only car, any suggestion? or am i off to the mechanics tomorrow? thank you, sarah k

09-20-2005, 11:44 PM	#273 (permalink)
saraheli Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! i have a 96 escort and they same thing has happened to me. i am very upset and would like to know what i need to do. it is currently stuck in the ignition. i have wiggled the key , turned the steering wheel, checked the gears, etc. nothing has helped. this is my only car, any suggestion? or am i off to the mechanics tomorrow? thank you, sarah k

09-24-2005, 09:00 AM	#274 (permalink)
Prembird Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Poster of the airplane on treadmill thread Posts: 1,013	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Well count me in on this... When I got off from work I had to pull my car around front... no problems... clocked out... got back into the car and the ignition is now locked up.. key goes in but wont turn... So I then spent 4 hours messing with it in the parking lot... Took the entire steering assembly apart... Wheel, airbag, covers, all sensors, everything apart trying to figure out how the cylinder comes out.. Just to find out that you have to get it to the acc. postion to get it out... Im really pissed now cause of everything I did to try and figure it out... So today I guess I will see if we carry the part (I work for O'Rielly automotive) and if not I will get the part from ford.... Now I just gotta figure a way to get the steering column back up to where its suppose to be since it has droped back into the dash... (Dont ask....) So add my name to your listing and wish me luck...

09-26-2005, 07:01 PM	#275 (permalink)
boostedzx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Enola, PA Posts: 5,871	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! This is my 2nd one that just went out. So this is'nt a freekin recall? At least i dont own the car anymore after this i wont have to deal w/ it.

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