Please post if your ignition has locked!

[00whitefocus]

both of my cars have done it.......my 2000 Zx3 and my 04 Zx3

[Terry1]

Mine key got stuck on Sat. (6-13-09) I could get it to the acc. position and pull the cylinder out. That enabled me to remove the key. So far I removed the lock bar on the side of the cylinder and it seems to me working so far. I was going to pull the tumblers out too, but decided not to. I shot some graphite in it for now. I'll see how long it lasts. Pulling the key out seems a tiny bit resistant right now, but I think it's always been that way.

[uujjj]

Originally Posted by Terry1

Mine key got stuck on Sat. (6-13-09) I could get it to the acc. position and pull the cylinder out. That enabled me to remove the key. So far I removed the lock bar on the side of the cylinder and it seems to me working so far. I was going to pull the tumblers out too, but decided not to. I shot some graphite in it for now. I'll see how long it lasts. Pulling the key out seems a tiny bit resistant right now, but I think it's always been that way.

if you are worried about it locking up i'd suggest you swap out the cylinder for a better one now rather than wait for it to break again. if it breaks again and you can't turn the key at all, as often happens, you'll need to get a locksmith and pay $$$.

Here is a link to the much more reliable replacement part: http://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-SW6...5344311&sr=8-1

if you are mechanically proficient it won't take much time to build the lock to match your key. the only thing i had trouble with was getting the clip attached after assembling the thing.

[Terry1]

Originally Posted by uujjj

if you are worried about it locking up i'd suggest you swap out the cylinder for a better one now rather than wait for it to break again. if it breaks again and you can't turn the key at all, as often happens, you'll need to get a locksmith and pay $$$.

Here is a link to the much more reliable replacement part: http://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-SW6...5344311&sr=8-1

if you are mechanically proficient it won't take much time to build the lock to match your key. the only thing i had trouble with was getting the clip attached after assembling the thing.

I wonder if I can use that without the tumblers. I really don't care if other keys would fit.

[04srt4]

Well my girlfriend's ignition cylinder locked up, 04 focus. Dealership wanted $450.

I want to give mad props to Steve (FORDSVTPARTS), the ignition cylinder we ordered from him was cheap, came FAST, and installed/worked perfectly with our existing keys.

Not a hard install at all, after some hammer taps we luckily were able to get the key to turn. The locking pin that releases the cylinder so you can pull it out was a little jammed, but with some effort we were able to push the pin in and pull the old cylinder out. New one just slid right in!

Thanks again Steve!

[Terry1]

Did my new one today. Took about 15 min. Loaded it with white grease, just in case. even though it's the updated cylinder. Better safe than sorry.

[SloFoFo]

Mine locked up on me about a year ago, it was just a few months after I bought my Focus. I only had a powertrain warranty so this wasnt covered. Set me back about $400 through the dealer I bought the car from.

[Terry1]

Yikes. I paid $80.00 on Amazon for the updated cylinder.

[jasronin]

My 2002 ZX3 ing locked up at the airport when after dropping some one off. I had to call AAA and they replaced it on the spot for 200.00

[Armanduhx3]

had this a while back. my daddy ripped everything apart and fixed it

[mikeeshaq]

Add me to the list
2004 Focus wagon
Towed to dealer but I insisted that they give me all the old parts. Well they included parts in the new kit that were not used. The new tumblers were of a completely new design , seemed quite more robust

[miragesmack]

Add me too. Happened at work today, can not turn off car at this point. Had to pull fuel pump fuse and disconnect battery. So I'm here seraching for a solution.

[cj.stuff]

I'm not sure if anyone has had this problem, but here goes. I have a 2000 Focus SE. the same issue as you guys, but after they fixed the ignition lock, they called to let me know that my brake interlock was froze-up. So, it would be another 800 dollars to fix!!!!!

[cj.stuff]

Is this something I can fix on my own? Because now, I can't get my key to come out! The car starts and drives, but the dam key won't ever come out!!

[miragesmack]

I heard that the brake interlock can easily be rebuilt, do a search, probably rind it there.

I took mine to a locksmith since he quoted me $90 out the door, keyed and all for the Strattec 707592. But now they tell me something else is broke, the part that the cylinder goes in. Ughh. It's the weekend, no part in stock, will call me monday with THAT part quote. Supposed to be a good locksmith, but they say you can't drill it since it's stuck in the "ON" position. Seems a lot of folks here have though. I guess I'll do more homework in case they shoot me a ridiculous price.

[Redbull8303]

Yup. my 03 zx3 got all messed up like that too. first it wouldnt turn, then it wouldnt let go of the key. had a new key made thinking that was it, turns out the cylinder was jacked. only the dealer could fix it with out having to make a new ignition key or having to change all the locks to fit the new key that came with the ignition. they fitted the new cylinder for the old keys and called it a day at 460$ no more issues. with that.

[DoingAnything]

Happened to my wifes 2002 sedan, 1 week before I sold it.

Originally Posted by cj.stuff

Is this something I can fix on my own? Because now, I can't get my key to come out! The car starts and drives, but the dam key won't ever come out!!

Same thing happened to me... To fix it I just used a hammer and brute force.

[cj.stuff]

I fixed my brake interlock tonight, and all is well!!!!

[BrownZX3Kona]

WOW this happened to me years ago and once fixed it has been fine ever since. I had no idea it was such a common thing. Luckily we had the 10/100K extended bumper to bumper on it and they towed and fixed it for no cost, but it was a hell of an inconvenience! What's the total up to on this list?? If this happens to me again, I am going to SCREAM at some people at Ford. It definitely needs to be a recall! Now I'm really trying to think of if it was fixed before or after 2005. The cylinder they put in looks different from the original one, but I'm still not sure exactly what year it was when it was fixed.

[ThomasA]

this just happened to me 4 hours after I bought the car!!! I started it probably 10 times between buying it and having the cylinder lock. Then I had it towed to the dealership because it wouldn't go bad at home...oh no. And now I see that I could have just drilled it out and replaced it without getting anything re-coded. SOB.
-Thomas

[CrappyFoci]

My key gets stuck in the ignition sometimes. It never gives me problems starting the car (knock on wood) but when I turn the car off it sometimes won't turn all the way back and let the key out.

I've found that putting the car in N and then back into P a few times allows the key to be released. Until I figured this out I had spent 20 minutes trying to get the key out and was thinking about smashing the whole steering column with a hammer to take out the anger.

If your key gets stuck and won't come out try moving the shifter back and forth between N and P a few times. I think it has something to do with the damn cheap auto tranny in the SPI's atleast..

[HotFrmPhx]

The ignition cylinder on my 2004 Ford Focus SE locked up, too. After researching the problem, and using info from several online sites, I went forward with having a locksmith fix the problem.Phoenix area: 866-973-6968 will R&R onsite with strat-tech ignition cylinder and set tumblers to existing keys for $230. A good locksmith will adjust tumblers to fit existing keys, and thus a new alarm fob is not necessary. Replacement with OEM cylinders (Huff) are likely to fail again.

[ViperThreat]

Had it on my 2000 zx3 a few years back, cost me $350 to replace.

The secret the locksmith showed me was to put the key in, and hit the end of it with some force, not enough to break anything, but enough to knock it loose..

[dikahong]

My 2002 ZX3 locked today, then, I called AAA, after half hour a AAA guy comes and use a screw drive striked the keys for many times. After that, it just worked, however, if pull out the key, it will be locked again...

I am just student, I have to find out some low prize solution...

[jasronin]

Call AAA again and as long as you are member the locksmith should be able to change your ing. on the spot for about $200.00. Just ask for the lock out service and get the number of the locksmith. Call him direct and ask. I know its a lot of cash but its cheaper than the dealership.