Please post if your ignition has locked! - Page 8 - The Ford Focus Forum

**lm1d** · 12-29-2004, 04:38 PM

dude, do a search on my id (LM1D). I've got in here a complete how to of replacement in here. It really is no big deal, you just have to have some huevos to drill it out.

If you have any questions, my IM is (lm1d jeez).

**Technarch** · 12-29-2004, 10:10 PM

silentnothing, if you are driving a '03 I suggest you use your 3 year warranty.

**FocusedOR** · 12-31-2004, 11:26 AM

Well After all i've read and ignored for awhile it has happened to me. I can't get the key all the way in the ignition. it's like it's not my car. At first it would only go halfway in. But now it's almost in. Anywayz. What should i do about it??? the key isn't stuck in there...it just plain won't go in,

**KonaZXIII** · 12-31-2004, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Well After all i've read and ignored for awhile it has happened to me. I can't get the key all the way in the ignition. it's like it's not my car. At first it would only go halfway in. But now it's almost in. Anywayz. What should i do about it??? the key isn't stuck in there...it just plain won't go in,

That's how mine went out. It was like me key was from some other car. It needs to be replaced.

**FocusedOR** · 12-31-2004, 03:27 PM

so go to a dealer or locksmith? I a poor college student...lol

**KonaZXIII** · 12-31-2004, 03:37 PM

Quote:

so go to a dealer or locksmith? I a poor college student...lol

If your under warranty, go to a dealer. It will be free.
If you have no warranty, find a locksmith that will put an ignition from an Explorer in your car.
I paid around $200. It would have been less if I hadn't had them come out on a Sunday to the 7-11 parking lot.

**lm1d** · 12-31-2004, 10:06 PM

Do a search on LM1D. I have a complete set of assembly instructions on the website.

**EVIL_WICKED_ONE** · 01-05-2005, 01:26 AM

Please add my name to the list. Wife went into the bank and when she came back the key wouldn't turn.

After reading some of the post in the past I hit the key with the heel of my hand and TADA, the key turned. We drove the car straight to the dealer to get the problem fixed.

We hope. Car is still under warranty so I don't expect any charges.

**Retro** · 01-05-2005, 02:32 PM

I remember something like the key getting stuck when I was removing it. It didn't come out and wouldn't turn either. I think it might have had something to do with the steering lock mechanism, I grabbed the wheel and firmly rocked it back and forth and viola the key was released. In "retro" spect the cause may have been that the steering wheel was moving when the key was being removed and the wheel lock did not fully engage, somehow trapping the key.
....or maybe not....

**03slvrfokuz** · 01-07-2005, 12:21 PM

Add my name to the list

Happened to me 3 days ago, went to work and was leaving at 5 and key wouldnt turn, my boss knew the Service manager, thay covered towing, and alli paid was $50 for the new ignition, apperantly it is very very common in the focus well not the newer ones, hopefully

**boostedzx3** · 01-11-2005, 12:38 AM

your gonna have yourself a pretty long list here...lets print it out in size 12 font and see if we can tape all the papers together and wrap the world w/ them....lol but in all seriousness i love my focus and now think the world of it but i have had the problem

**focuzzn** · 01-11-2005, 06:50 AM

You can put me down for twice. First the key would get stuck then the stupid black box around the key went out and wouldnt registar that !@#$%^&*() flippin chip.

**bigtee** · 01-16-2005, 10:14 PM

my ingition is starting to do the same thing. i have to jiggle it to start the car and it is getting worse, so you can put me down too.

**EsCoRtLvR** · 01-18-2005, 09:01 PM

I watched a service guy unlock one of these today....know how he fixed it? Hit the lock assembly with a hammer a few times while it was locked. And viola no more locking issues

I talk to him about the issue and he said he would go broke if they made that a re-call of some type rofl. Just some FYI, it's a common problem, but since it really isn't safety related you going to have one helluva time convincing Ford to do anything about it. And yes the newer Focii/Mazda 3 have a different lock assembly.

**FocusedOR** · 01-29-2005, 08:20 PM

185 bucks and it's fixed...i hate ford

**eldersage** · 02-06-2005, 12:49 AM

Today I had to replace my 2003 ford focus ignition switch. I bought the part, then took it to a locksmith key the ignition to my key then i had someone install it for me.......According to the locksmith and ford dealer they now have a new version of the ignition so that they are not just sellin us used ones.

Lightkeepers14

**GGAllen** · 02-07-2005, 06:32 PM

2000 Focus ZX3 - ignition started intermittently locking at around 36000 miles. However I was always able to get it working by "jiggling" the key in less than 30 sec.

That is until I traded the car in at 40000 miles.

After closing the deal, the salesman asked me to pull the car around and sure enough, the ignition decided to lock solid.

After forty-five minutes of myself, the service manager and even a few of the countless salesman (that have now gathered around the car), they finally dent pulled the ignition.

I now own a '03 ZX3 2.3. 27000 miles and the ignition is still working properly.

Keepin' my fingers crossed...

**Cable** · 02-08-2005, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Today I had to replace my 2003 ford focus ignition switch. I bought the part, then took it to a locksmith key the ignition to my key then i had someone install it for me.......According to the locksmith and ford dealer they now have a new version of the ignition so that they are not just sellin us used ones.

Lightkeepers14

If they've finally made a new style ignition I guess I should look into ordering one. Mine is acting up really badly.... but I've learned a few ticks on how to get it to turn over will little probablems lol

**nuala7** · 02-13-2005, 01:12 PM

My ignition locked just yesterday. I've only had the car a month-and-a-half, but the dealer is trying to side step me. I was an hour-and-a-half late for work, I have no way to get to work tomorrow, I had to ask for a ride, something I haven't done in years, and now the dealer won't even call me back. I just made the first payment on this car and have no money to make this repair, but I also don't want to lose my job.I told them I didn't wan to buy a Ford, and they managed to talk me into it anyway. I will never buy another ford, no matter what its' specs are. **** ford!

**tulsafocus** · 02-13-2005, 09:28 PM

try a different ford dealership. usually you can find one that will help you out, and then get an aluminium bat and wait for the service manager when he goes to his car...

**AnthonyD** · 02-14-2005, 03:38 PM

I've heard that this can be caused by heavy keychains.

**Cable** · 02-14-2005, 11:34 PM

Quote:

I've heard that this can be caused by heavy keychains.

I use just the key and the remote button on my igintion. I keep a seperate keychain in my pocket with household keys and what not. So it didn't cause my problem

**BLUE_02_ZX3** · 02-15-2005, 07:52 AM

the problem is in the inside its just a POS

**longarm** · 02-16-2005, 12:42 AM

I thankfully havn't had that problem yet. I've been doing some reading though and I am starting to think it's only a matter of time. I am thinking about trading my 03 in. If you all want to get somewhere with this, I have a great idea. We will hold the next Focus Gathering in Dearborn, MI. I don't live to far from there. We can get a permit for a demonstration. Enough of us out there with documented proof and the local press will eat it up. Maybe we can get Honda to sponsor it.

**bluefociZX3** · 02-18-2005, 09:18 AM

add me to the list just locked up for the second time in 1 week i asm offically PO"D now its sittin at ford gettin me even more mad lets see how many scratches and stuff will be stolen

12-29-2004, 04:38 PM	#176 (permalink)
lm1d TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Cedar Hill, TX, USA Posts: 139	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! dude, do a search on my id (LM1D). I've got in here a complete how to of replacement in here. It really is no big deal, you just have to have some huevos to drill it out. If you have any questions, my IM is (lm1d jeez).

12-29-2004, 10:10 PM	#177 (permalink)
Technarch TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 433	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! silentnothing, if you are driving a '03 I suggest you use your 3 year warranty.

12-31-2004, 11:26 AM	#178 (permalink)
FocusedOR TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ashland, Oregon Posts: 720	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Well After all i've read and ignored for awhile it has happened to me. I can't get the key all the way in the ignition. it's like it's not my car. At first it would only go halfway in. But now it's almost in. Anywayz. What should i do about it??? the key isn't stuck in there...it just plain won't go in,

12-31-2004, 03:27 PM	#180 (permalink)
FocusedOR TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ashland, Oregon Posts: 720	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! so go to a dealer or locksmith? I a poor college student...lol

12-31-2004, 10:06 PM	#182 (permalink)
lm1d TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Cedar Hill, TX, USA Posts: 139	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Do a search on LM1D. I have a complete set of assembly instructions on the website.

01-05-2005, 01:26 AM	#183 (permalink)
EVIL_WICKED_ONE Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 4,013	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Please add my name to the list. Wife went into the bank and when she came back the key wouldn't turn. After reading some of the post in the past I hit the key with the heel of my hand and TADA, the key turned. We drove the car straight to the dealer to get the problem fixed. We hope. Car is still under warranty so I don't expect any charges.

01-05-2005, 02:32 PM	#184 (permalink)
Retro Rookie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 11	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! I remember something like the key getting stuck when I was removing it. It didn't come out and wouldn't turn either. I think it might have had something to do with the steering lock mechanism, I grabbed the wheel and firmly rocked it back and forth and viola the key was released. In "retro" spect the cause may have been that the steering wheel was moving when the key was being removed and the wheel lock did not fully engage, somehow trapping the key. ....or maybe not....

01-07-2005, 12:21 PM	#185 (permalink)
03slvrfokuz Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: H-tizzown Posts: 2,954	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Add my name to the list Happened to me 3 days ago, went to work and was leaving at 5 and key wouldnt turn, my boss knew the Service manager, thay covered towing, and alli paid was $50 for the new ignition, apperantly it is very very common in the focus well not the newer ones, hopefully

01-11-2005, 12:38 AM	#186 (permalink)
boostedzx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Enola, PA Posts: 5,871	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! your gonna have yourself a pretty long list here...lets print it out in size 12 font and see if we can tape all the papers together and wrap the world w/ them....lol but in all seriousness i love my focus and now think the world of it but i have had the problem

01-11-2005, 06:50 AM	#187 (permalink)
focuzzn Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Reedley, Ca. Posts: 1,625	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! You can put me down for twice. First the key would get stuck then the stupid black box around the key went out and wouldnt registar that !@#$%^&*() flippin chip.

01-16-2005, 10:14 PM	#188 (permalink)
bigtee Rookie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 44	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! my ingition is starting to do the same thing. i have to jiggle it to start the car and it is getting worse, so you can put me down too.

01-18-2005, 09:01 PM	#189 (permalink)
EsCoRtLvR TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 898	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! I watched a service guy unlock one of these today....know how he fixed it? Hit the lock assembly with a hammer a few times while it was locked. And viola no more locking issues I talk to him about the issue and he said he would go broke if they made that a re-call of some type rofl. Just some FYI, it's a common problem, but since it really isn't safety related you going to have one helluva time convincing Ford to do anything about it. And yes the newer Focii/Mazda 3 have a different lock assembly.

01-29-2005, 08:20 PM	#190 (permalink)
FocusedOR TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ashland, Oregon Posts: 720	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! 185 bucks and it's fixed...i hate ford

02-06-2005, 12:49 AM	#191 (permalink)
eldersage Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! Today I had to replace my 2003 ford focus ignition switch. I bought the part, then took it to a locksmith key the ignition to my key then i had someone install it for me.......According to the locksmith and ford dealer they now have a new version of the ignition so that they are not just sellin us used ones. Lightkeepers14

02-07-2005, 06:32 PM	#192 (permalink)
GGAllen Rookie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 30	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! 2000 Focus ZX3 - ignition started intermittently locking at around 36000 miles. However I was always able to get it working by "jiggling" the key in less than 30 sec. That is until I traded the car in at 40000 miles. After closing the deal, the salesman asked me to pull the car around and sure enough, the ignition decided to lock solid. After forty-five minutes of myself, the service manager and even a few of the countless salesman (that have now gathered around the car), they finally dent pulled the ignition. I now own a '03 ZX3 2.3. 27000 miles and the ignition is still working properly. Keepin' my fingers crossed...

02-13-2005, 01:12 PM	#194 (permalink)
nuala7 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! My ignition locked just yesterday. I've only had the car a month-and-a-half, but the dealer is trying to side step me. I was an hour-and-a-half late for work, I have no way to get to work tomorrow, I had to ask for a ride, something I haven't done in years, and now the dealer won't even call me back. I just made the first payment on this car and have no money to make this repair, but I also don't want to lose my job.I told them I didn't wan to buy a Ford, and they managed to talk me into it anyway. I will never buy another ford, no matter what its' specs are. **** ford!

02-13-2005, 09:28 PM	#195 (permalink)
tulsafocus TEAM Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 548	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! try a different ford dealership. usually you can find one that will help you out, and then get an aluminium bat and wait for the service manager when he goes to his car...

02-14-2005, 03:38 PM	#196 (permalink)
AnthonyD Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Inside your sister. Posts: 2,605	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! I've heard that this can be caused by heavy keychains.

02-15-2005, 07:52 AM	#198 (permalink)
BLUE_02_ZX3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Camby, Indiana Posts: 1,917	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! the problem is in the inside its just a POS

02-16-2005, 12:42 AM	#199 (permalink)
longarm TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 205	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! I thankfully havn't had that problem yet. I've been doing some reading though and I am starting to think it's only a matter of time. I am thinking about trading my 03 in. If you all want to get somewhere with this, I have a great idea. We will hold the next Focus Gathering in Dearborn, MI. I don't live to far from there. We can get a permit for a demonstration. Enough of us out there with documented proof and the local press will eat it up. Maybe we can get Honda to sponsor it.

02-18-2005, 09:18 AM	#200 (permalink)
bluefociZX3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Watertown CT Posts: 1,849	Re: Please post if your ignition has locked! add me to the list just locked up for the second time in 1 week i asm offically PO"D now its sittin at ford gettin me even more mad lets see how many scratches and stuff will be stolen

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