broken ignition switch - Focaljet

**photon6565** · 02-02-2002, 08:11 PM

hey guys my cars ignition switch broke , do any of you know how i can start it without the switch? cause im really stuck and outta money to fix it right away, thanks yall [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**noresull** · 02-02-2002, 10:16 PM

The switch or the lock cylinder?

**photon6565** · 02-03-2002, 12:11 AM

its the lock i put the key in, its stuck or broken, and i cant turn the key, its all like one big metal part, i was able to start my car up but i cant turn the key to get rid of the locked steering wheel. do u know how i can take it out(the lockcylinder) i wasnt able to see any screws to take it out,i was thinking if it is possible to take it out until i have the cash to buy a new one or get the one i have fixed
thanks noresull

**noresull** · 02-03-2002, 12:21 AM

In order to remove the lock cylinder, You need to be able to turn the key, otherwise, the lock cylinder needs to be drilled out.

I have done it, but I don't recomend it for the faint of heart! You can damge your whole column and end up having to spend hundreds on a new column.

**photon6565** · 02-03-2002, 12:35 AM

so basically i just have to do what a car thief would and yank it out? then i can replace it with a new one? thanks for the help cause i think i might have to do that [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**noresull** · 02-03-2002, 12:43 AM

If you just yank it out You will have to replace the column. DO NOT YANK IT OUT! I would try and get it to a dealer, or see if they will give you the directions listed in an SSM about drilling the lock cylinder.

**photon6565** · 02-03-2002, 12:48 AM

ok thanks for all the help , ill try call em up tomorow [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**noresull** · 02-03-2002, 12:48 AM

Did I mention, DO NOT YANK IT OUT!

**photon6565** · 02-03-2002, 01:57 AM

noresull do u know how to drill the lock, and if so would you be able to tell me how to do it, cause i dont think that ford will tell me how to do it, im pretty carefull when it comes to all the things ive done to my car , any help would be appreciated
thanks [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**noresull** · 02-03-2002, 09:21 AM

I know the SSm has specific measurements as to where exactly to drill and how deep with what size of a drill.

I don't remember off the top of my head, but I do know, that You are trying to drill deep enough to essentially seperate the tumblers from the lock body and to make the point where the alignment pin, the part of the lock cylinder that locks into the column, as thin as possible so you can use a punch to drive it out.

I really don't think I could explain it enough without being able to show you. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

**photon6565** · 02-03-2002, 02:59 PM

its ok i get what yout trying to say, im gonna go try it out and if the column get messed up then ill have to fix it [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] oh well thanks for the help

**photon6565** · 02-06-2002, 06:18 PM

i took my car to ford and they fixed it for 50$ they told me this is a very common problem with the focus at the service department and they put in a newer style lockylender from the 02 models

**CD Silver_FOCI** · 02-09-2002, 11:59 PM

Darn! [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] That just happened to me today. Couldn't turn the wheel or turn my freakin key.

**Fordowner** · 03-14-2002, 02:29 PM

My key cylinder on my 2000 Kona Focus locked up yesterday at the train station. Took the cover off and was able to get the car started but as I now see discussed I wasn't able to get the steering wheel lock off.

I was frustrated and tempted try more, as I see here, luckily I did not. Got on a bus got off at Ford dealer and luckily I'm still well under 36,000 miles.

So they had me call road side assistance and drove me back to my car to wait for the tow truck. Came quickly and supposidly it won't cost me money. Technichian said they are seeing it happen to the focus, design flaw?

Had not done wiper cover recall so needed to be in anyway, though they claim they didn't see the cause of why the check engine light comes on occassionally or see anything on a wheel bearing recall.

Going to pick it up tonight. My check engine light goes on sometimes, usually when tank is getting lower. Though hasn't been on for a week.

**noresull** · 03-18-2002, 05:56 PM

First, it isn't the switch that freezes up, it's the lock cylinder. Second, remind them there's the TSB on it and that replacement of the column should not be neccessary unless they did something wrong and messed up the column.

**nilo** · 03-18-2002, 06:36 PM

Yes, what locked up was the ignition cylinder so that is why they didn't want to cover it up under warranty. I reasoned with the service manager and told him that 490 dollars for replacing the lock cylinder is ridiculous. I bargained with him and he finally agreed to pick up 80% of the tab so I ended up paying 100 dollars which is better but I am still pretty pissed off. An ignition cylinder shouldn't fail like this. Bad design on Ford's side. Hopefully I get a refund if a recall is done. I showed the TSB to the manager but he just ignored it and told me that the printout I had from the NHTSA was not Ford official. He told me there was no way to change the cylinder without breaking the column. I trust you more noresull but I cannot do much when my car is disabled and stuck at the dealer. It's not like I can just drive the car to another dealer.

**nilo** · 03-19-2002, 12:00 AM

My ignition cylinder froze up on me today and I had to have my car towed to the dealer. I am out of the basic 36K mile warranty but I have the base care warranty till 75K miles. I was already aware that this is a common problem with the focus but today I received a call from the dealer telling me that the parts were not covered under the BASE care extended warranty and that I would have to pay 490 dollars to get it fixed. He said they would have to replace the steering column and the ignition cylinder. Now what really pisses me off is that there are TSBs about this problem, an ignition cylinder should last longer that 1.5 years, and the fact that the extneded warranty does not cover this even though it says on the list of components covered "ignition switch". I love Ford service.

**all2envyZx3** · 02-28-2003, 07:45 PM

Happened to me tuesday night [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] For the second time in less then a year, double [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] !!!!

Stopped by a gas station to fill up out of town and, after I was done I put the key in and bammmm! nothing!
S*** I'm thinking ,20 mins from home and I knew right away what it was.
Called tow truck to have dropped off at lovely gosch ford in hemet [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
Next day I talk to the service Manager !!
And he tells me 268$ to fix it!
I say bulls***, you pay for it I told him I had it in for the same excact thing last april and he gives me the whole rap about 1 year/12,000 mile warrenty on parts since I'm out of warrenty-
I reasoned with him and he took the price down to 215$, but still this is complete BS, what the hell is ford building???
3 ignition cylinders in less then 3 years, should I just set up an appointment 1 year from now ?
Any updates on the TSB for this?
over 450$ that I should have in my pocket no thanks to ford parts!
oh yeah I'm saving the reciepts [img]graemlins/thumbdown.gif[/img] just in case they don't have records on service dates! [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
john-

[size="1"][ 02-28-2003, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: all2envyZx3 ][/size]

**TXFO** · 02-28-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nilo:
Yes, what locked up was the ignition cylinder so that is why they didn't want to cover it up under warranty. I reasoned with the service manager and told him that 490 dollars for replacing the lock cylinder is ridiculous. I bargained with him and he finally agreed to pick up 80% of the tab so I ended up paying 100 dollars which is better but I am still pretty pissed off. An ignition cylinder shouldn't fail like this. Bad design on Ford's side. Hopefully I get a refund if a recall is done. I showed the TSB to the manager but he just ignored it and told me that the printout I had from the NHTSA was not Ford official. He told me there was no way to change the cylinder without breaking the column. I trust you more noresull but I cannot do much when my car is disabled and stuck at the dealer. It's not like I can just drive the car to another dealer.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">holy crap dude!!! they told you they couldnt do it w/ breaking the column [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] what piece of **** dealer that is!! I bet they were gonna charge you for a column and then just keep the money. you should go back there and whomp them with a tire iron! [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] I had my cyclander replaced and they managed to do it w/o killing the column.

**zx3 focus racer** · 02-28-2003, 08:49 PM

if anyone want the instructions pm me or hit me up on aim or email me or whatever. i can fax them to you

**all2envyZx3** · 03-05-2003, 02:57 PM

Any updates if this problem is gonna turn into a recall!!!!

**Blis** · 03-05-2003, 03:27 PM

This should become a recall! It has been happening for a while, and still no official word, except the TSB.

If you guys want to make a recall out of this, please visit http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and submit your gripes. That is the only way to get this taken care of.

I understand that further recalls will reduce our cars already low resale values and everything, but if Ford will not step up and fix these issues quietly and for free, they might have another recall to deal with.

**Liquid Fingaz** · 03-06-2003, 12:26 AM

[img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] It just happened to me for the second time on Sunday morning. Last time was in June of 2002. This is crazy, almost $600 in 9 months, it was $280 each time. I was raging [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] the second time and they said there was nothing they could. [img]graemlins/thumbdown.gif[/img] I just got my car today but im going to write ford, email them, call them and do whatever i have to, to get my money back, there should be recall and then we would all get our money back.Im calling the Ford Hotline # to complain, the more people the better chance we all have.

**rrmartin** · 05-19-2003, 04:51 PM

CAN A REGULAR GUY FIX IT?
I'm in the same boat. The car is at the dealer and they want $550 to fix it. I am already up to $170 for towing and diagnostic. I have a warranty but not the best one (the only one that would cover it). The part is only $87.15. Is there any way that I can fix it my self? Do I need any special tools? The dealer is only charging 2 hours of labor so it most take about fifteen minutes to replace.

**Jared** · 06-02-2003, 11:29 AM

yeah what he said! this just happened to me, and i just dropped $600 on tires and brakes, and i DON'T have the money to take this to the dealer... and my warranty ran out 265 miles ago [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

is it possible for semi-skilled people to fix this themselves? is the only part needed the lock cylinder?

02-02-2002, 08:11 PM	#1
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	broken ignition switch hey guys my cars ignition switch broke , do any of you know how i can start it without the switch? cause im really stuck and outta money to fix it right away, thanks yall [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

02-02-2002, 10:16 PM	#2
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: broken ignition switch The switch or the lock cylinder?

02-03-2002, 12:11 AM	#3
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	Re: broken ignition switch its the lock i put the key in, its stuck or broken, and i cant turn the key, its all like one big metal part, i was able to start my car up but i cant turn the key to get rid of the locked steering wheel. do u know how i can take it out(the lockcylinder) i wasnt able to see any screws to take it out,i was thinking if it is possible to take it out until i have the cash to buy a new one or get the one i have fixed thanks noresull

02-03-2002, 12:21 AM	#4
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: broken ignition switch In order to remove the lock cylinder, You need to be able to turn the key, otherwise, the lock cylinder needs to be drilled out. I have done it, but I don't recomend it for the faint of heart! You can damge your whole column and end up having to spend hundreds on a new column.

02-03-2002, 12:35 AM	#5
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	Re: broken ignition switch so basically i just have to do what a car thief would and yank it out? then i can replace it with a new one? thanks for the help cause i think i might have to do that [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

02-03-2002, 12:43 AM	#6
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: broken ignition switch If you just yank it out You will have to replace the column. DO NOT YANK IT OUT! I would try and get it to a dealer, or see if they will give you the directions listed in an SSM about drilling the lock cylinder.

02-03-2002, 12:48 AM	#7
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	Re: broken ignition switch ok thanks for all the help , ill try call em up tomorow [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

02-03-2002, 12:48 AM	#8
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: broken ignition switch Did I mention, DO NOT YANK IT OUT!

02-03-2002, 01:57 AM	#9
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	Re: broken ignition switch noresull do u know how to drill the lock, and if so would you be able to tell me how to do it, cause i dont think that ford will tell me how to do it, im pretty carefull when it comes to all the things ive done to my car , any help would be appreciated thanks [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

02-03-2002, 09:21 AM	#10
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: broken ignition switch I know the SSm has specific measurements as to where exactly to drill and how deep with what size of a drill. I don't remember off the top of my head, but I do know, that You are trying to drill deep enough to essentially seperate the tumblers from the lock body and to make the point where the alignment pin, the part of the lock cylinder that locks into the column, as thin as possible so you can use a punch to drive it out. I really don't think I could explain it enough without being able to show you. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

02-03-2002, 02:59 PM	#11
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	Re: broken ignition switch its ok i get what yout trying to say, im gonna go try it out and if the column get messed up then ill have to fix it [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] oh well thanks for the help

02-06-2002, 06:18 PM	#12
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 490	Re: broken ignition switch i took my car to ford and they fixed it for 50$ they told me this is a very common problem with the focus at the service department and they put in a newer style lockylender from the 02 models

02-09-2002, 11:59 PM	#13
CD Silver_FOCI TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NoVA Posts: 412	Re: broken ignition switch Darn! [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] That just happened to me today. Couldn't turn the wheel or turn my freakin key.

03-14-2002, 02:29 PM	#14
Fordowner TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 670	Re: broken ignition switch My key cylinder on my 2000 Kona Focus locked up yesterday at the train station. Took the cover off and was able to get the car started but as I now see discussed I wasn't able to get the steering wheel lock off. I was frustrated and tempted try more, as I see here, luckily I did not. Got on a bus got off at Ford dealer and luckily I'm still well under 36,000 miles. So they had me call road side assistance and drove me back to my car to wait for the tow truck. Came quickly and supposidly it won't cost me money. Technichian said they are seeing it happen to the focus, design flaw? Had not done wiper cover recall so needed to be in anyway, though they claim they didn't see the cause of why the check engine light comes on occassionally or see anything on a wheel bearing recall. Going to pick it up tonight. My check engine light goes on sometimes, usually when tank is getting lower. Though hasn't been on for a week.

03-18-2002, 05:56 PM	#15
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: broken ignition switch First, it isn't the switch that freezes up, it's the lock cylinder. Second, remind them there's the TSB on it and that replacement of the column should not be neccessary unless they did something wrong and messed up the column.

03-18-2002, 06:36 PM	#16
nilo TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Troylet , NY, US Posts: 804	Re: broken ignition switch Yes, what locked up was the ignition cylinder so that is why they didn't want to cover it up under warranty. I reasoned with the service manager and told him that 490 dollars for replacing the lock cylinder is ridiculous. I bargained with him and he finally agreed to pick up 80% of the tab so I ended up paying 100 dollars which is better but I am still pretty pissed off. An ignition cylinder shouldn't fail like this. Bad design on Ford's side. Hopefully I get a refund if a recall is done. I showed the TSB to the manager but he just ignored it and told me that the printout I had from the NHTSA was not Ford official. He told me there was no way to change the cylinder without breaking the column. I trust you more noresull but I cannot do much when my car is disabled and stuck at the dealer. It's not like I can just drive the car to another dealer.

03-19-2002, 12:00 AM	#17
nilo TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Troylet , NY, US Posts: 804	Re: broken ignition switch My ignition cylinder froze up on me today and I had to have my car towed to the dealer. I am out of the basic 36K mile warranty but I have the base care warranty till 75K miles. I was already aware that this is a common problem with the focus but today I received a call from the dealer telling me that the parts were not covered under the BASE care extended warranty and that I would have to pay 490 dollars to get it fixed. He said they would have to replace the steering column and the ignition cylinder. Now what really pisses me off is that there are TSBs about this problem, an ignition cylinder should last longer that 1.5 years, and the fact that the extneded warranty does not cover this even though it says on the list of components covered "ignition switch". I love Ford service.

02-28-2003, 07:45 PM	#18
all2envyZx3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Grand Junction,CO Posts: 2,119	Re: broken ignition switch Happened to me tuesday night [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] For the second time in less then a year, double [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] !!!! Stopped by a gas station to fill up out of town and, after I was done I put the key in and bammmm! nothing! S* I'm thinking ,20 mins from home and I knew right away what it was. Called tow truck to have dropped off at lovely gosch ford in hemet [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] Next day I talk to the service Manager !! And he tells me 268$ to fix it! I say bulls*, you pay for it I told him I had it in for the same excact thing last april and he gives me the whole rap about 1 year/12,000 mile warrenty on parts since I'm out of warrenty- I reasoned with him and he took the price down to 215$, but still this is complete BS, what the hell is ford building??? 3 ignition cylinders in less then 3 years, should I just set up an appointment 1 year from now ? Any updates on the TSB for this? over 450$ that I should have in my pocket no thanks to ford parts! oh yeah I'm saving the reciepts [img]graemlins/thumbdown.gif[/img] just in case they don't have records on service dates! [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] john- [size="1"][ 02-28-2003, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: all2envyZx3 ][/size]

02-28-2003, 08:49 PM	#20
zx3 focus racer [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: funky town Posts: 5,146	Re: broken ignition switch if anyone want the instructions pm me or hit me up on aim or email me or whatever. i can fax them to you

03-05-2003, 02:57 PM	#21
all2envyZx3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Grand Junction,CO Posts: 2,119	Re: broken ignition switch Any updates if this problem is gonna turn into a recall!!!!

03-05-2003, 03:27 PM	#22
Blis Administrator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 3,069	Re: broken ignition switch This should become a recall! It has been happening for a while, and still no official word, except the TSB. If you guys want to make a recall out of this, please visit http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and submit your gripes. That is the only way to get this taken care of. I understand that further recalls will reduce our cars already low resale values and everything, but if Ford will not step up and fix these issues quietly and for free, they might have another recall to deal with.

03-06-2003, 12:26 AM	#23
Liquid Fingaz TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 112	Re: broken ignition switch [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] It just happened to me for the second time on Sunday morning. Last time was in June of 2002. This is crazy, almost $600 in 9 months, it was $280 each time. I was raging [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] the second time and they said there was nothing they could. [img]graemlins/thumbdown.gif[/img] I just got my car today but im going to write ford, email them, call them and do whatever i have to, to get my money back, there should be recall and then we would all get our money back.Im calling the Ford Hotline # to complain, the more people the better chance we all have.

05-19-2003, 04:51 PM	#24
rrmartin TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 111	Re: broken ignition switch CAN A REGULAR GUY FIX IT? I'm in the same boat. The car is at the dealer and they want $550 to fix it. I am already up to $170 for towing and diagnostic. I have a warranty but not the best one (the only one that would cover it). The part is only $87.15. Is there any way that I can fix it my self? Do I need any special tools? The dealer is only charging 2 hours of labor so it most take about fifteen minutes to replace.

06-02-2003, 11:29 AM	#25
Jared Moderator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 15,798	Re: broken ignition switch yeah what he said! this just happened to me, and i just dropped $600 on tires and brakes, and i DON'T have the money to take this to the dealer... and my warranty ran out 265 miles ago [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] is it possible for semi-skilled people to fix this themselves? is the only part needed the lock cylinder?

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