New Ignition Cylinder Help.

[BC3Racing]

1st time my ignition froze, it was replaced under warranty. The second time it was not. So I decided to fix it my way. Luckily for me, hitting the key with a hammer allowed it to rotate forward. I removed the cylinder from the column and dissected it myself. You can disassemble the key cylinder and remove the tiny buttons and springs (make sure you get them all) These are what fail and cause it to not recognize your key. Reassemble cylinder and now it will rotate freely. Now here's the deal. You can basically turn your ignition with any key or anything for that matter i.e. screwdriver, butter knife, but it will only turn on the accessories, unlock the wheel, and turn on the ignition. You CAN'T start the car. It will only start with your original key, that you can continue to use for FREE You can also pull the key out while in any position, but this does not bother me. Hope this helps everyone.

[BC3Racing]

I read some more posts and realized that some of you guys are rebuilding new cylinder with your old tumblers, obviously to match your original key. Unfortunately, the tumblers are the cause of the initial failure. You are right, they are poorly lubricated and are subsequently chewed up by your key. Along with normal key ware, from normal usage, this changes the tumbler position and doesn't allow it to fall into it's proper place. thus, failure occurs. Your ignition will fail again if you are using the old tumblers.

[j20000]

There is actually a new replacement part for the old cylinder...if you look at the face of the the first cylinders (where you put the key in) you will see that it has a rough surface, the new one has a smooth chrome surface. And with proper care, the cylinder will not fail. Its ALOT better than that GHETTO sollution.

[BC3Racing]

Oh, your one of "those" guys...sorry about your luck

[j20000]

Yeah... It kept breaking, so I bought a 350z.

[Torque]

Smack the back of the key WHILE turning it, right?

This sucks. I'm selling my SVT. Too many little things.

[OmniFocus]

Originally Posted by Torque

Smack the back of the key WHILE turning it, right?

This sucks. I'm selling my SVT. Too many little things.

It's a mechanical device, man.

Fix the little things and stop sweating it.

[j20000]

you dont really have to do both at the same time...just give it a good hit to jar it loose, then turn it.

[kbf61553]

Originally Posted by Badgerbacker89

Mine sat for a couple weeks, stubbornly refusing to allow any ket rotation 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.

I too had the drill and bits out ready to do surgery; (and a slide-hammer, failing the drill), when I decided to give it one more "GOOD" whack with a five pound sledge. Three whacks later, it rotated free and easy.

Anyone who is lucky enough to get this far, NOW, not later, pull the cylinder and replace it. Also, don't turn the car all of the way off, or you may be back to the drill/slide-hammer mode. Turn if off to just this side of where the radio and other accessories quit operating, and leave the key in it. (If you're luck, it'll get stolen before you have to cough up the dough for a new cylinder!)

[krimson]

I have a 2001 focus, this is my third ignition repair. I've done the banging the key thing and lubricating, now i'm down to drilling. Where exactly do I drill? Is it directly where you stick the key? Can someone show me how to drill it out? I got the tools, just need exact details. Please help me.

[krimson]

hey how exactly did you drill out your ignition? Was it from the center, like where the key goes, or somewhere else? Could you give me the details on how you drilled it out. Mine is locked up and the key will not turn, I've been doing the banging the key into it for months and I guess it's totally locked up now. If you could tell me the directions on how to drill it or show me how to do it myself, I'd really appreciate it.

[Scorpion]

Hey krimson, here ya go dude.

MAKE SURE you have GOOD QUALITY drill bits, otherwise you're gonna spend a lot of time and effort for nothing.

Remove the top and bottom cowling/covers from around the steering column...believe me, it's easier with them out the way.

Now, if you can't get the key to position 1, then you have to drill it....unfortunate, but there it is....shoulda changed it earlier

If you CAN get it to position 1, just once, then you can remove it without drilling....so it might be worth trying once you remove the lower cowl.

Look here for instructions http://www.mbremerart.com/misc/Focus...20Cylinder.htm

...only thing I can add, is that it's easier with a 6mm allen key to depress the 'detent' to release the lock (look on the new lock to see what they mean by 'detent').

If you can turn it, this can all be accomplished in about 30 minutes, easy.

If you CAN"T turn it at all, then you are gonna have to drill it. To do that, follow the directions here http://www.motorage.com/motorage/dat...13/article.pdf

...only thing I can add the that article is to cover all surfaces around the area if possible...$%#$%&%^ bits of metal shavings go everywhere!

Use good bits, and don;t try to rush it. Make sure you have good light as well, and a pair of thin tweezers will aid in removal of the locking pin from the hole.

Good luck dude.

Scorp.

[krimson]

Hey Scorpion, thanks alot for the info, I appreciate it, it's really gonna help out alot. I'll tell you how it works out!

[Scorpion]

Originally Posted by krimson

Hey Scorpion, thanks alot for the info, I appreciate it, it's really gonna help out alot. I'll tell you how it works out!

Absolutely no problem sir. I did it myself, using both those pages to figure it all out...quite easy really...and yes, I drilled mine out too.

Just as an FYI, it wont hurt to drill the hole in the lock bigger than they say, but BE CAREFUL that you don't hit the 'barrel' that the lock fits into...you could damage it badly. So keep the drill straight, and only go down as far as it says, otherwise you will damage the rear of the barrel as well. Put some tape around the drill bit at a 1 inch depth, just in case.

Oh, and you don't need to start the car at position 2, just turn it to there.

Good luck.

[WanabeRS]

Oh this thread is awesome. I'm actually on my 4th damned cylinder and it's already going south. Right now i'm just leaving the damned key in the ignition as i don't have to park it anywhere but my garage and my private work spot.

Time to get those parts.

[all2envyZx3]

I have been leaving my key in the ignition, and locking the car since march of 05'!!!!!!!!!
Just recently got it fixed, did it myself of course in less than 10 mins
This is a sinch to do guys

[fordblue03]

Hey just a note and important too. Not sure if mentioned, but...
If the key does not turn, then drill the tab off, the cylinder will slide right on out
The tab?
The one you would normally push while the key is turned to get the lock cylinder out.
JUST TAKE YOUR TIME, NOT TO DAMAGE THE HOUSING.

[mcoates]

hi im new at this but i was looking at google to find if any one else has had the same problem as me and i guess yall do. I have had my 2002 focus for a year now and about 3 months ago the ignition all of a sudden locked up and the key wouldnt turn. so my husband and dad kinda broke it and fixed it to were we had to leave the key in the ignition at all times. And now yesterday in the middle of the highway the car died and when we went to start it up the key would turn but the car wouldnt start, it was like the ignition cylinder was stripped out, so now im stuck to where i cant drive it and had to tow it to my house. So i was wondering what needs to be replaced? the whole ignition or just the cylinder part? and how much should i expect to pay? Please help me both me and my husband work and now have no car to get to work. I was going to call the dealership tomorrow to see how much it cost and what part i need to replace to get it to work or if i can do it myself. Thanks

[mcoates]

Please tell me how to do it yourself. I was leaving it in the ignition too and it finally would turn but the car wouldnt start, i think it got stripped out.

[mcoates]

My husband took the cylinder out and now when we stick the cyliner back in we can turn the car on and the radio and lights, but the engine wont start. Do you know why or what would cause this? Do we need a new cylinder or do we need the whole thing replaced? Its like the cylinder and key isnt catching on something to start the engine. Please help me!

[fordblue03]

You will need a new ignition cylinder. The locking part of it. Go to Focus Fanatics and look for b16sir, he is out of Cali. I got mine for $65 about 15mo ago. You will have to call him and give him your info, VIN and method of payment. The VIN is so he can make the switch work for your key. This is the much cheaper route.

[rkjjeep]

PAsted here from another post:
I recently bought a low mile SE for my daughter to travel around the country on her new job. I read about all the issues and decided to do some prevention where possible. The key cylinder felt ok but was difficult to get past the lock bar a couple times. I was able to turn it and easily remove it..........then had to decide what to replace it with.

1) New and improved Motocraft SW6285 - probably a good way to go if you hook up with the guy on the focus fanatics forum. I talked to him on the phone. I haven't looked at this new cylinder. Mike (focus forum member b16sir1991) was very pleasant on the phone but I wanted to get this done same day. I called local dealers and they wanted over $130 with build the cylinder labor so I passed. See the guy on the forum if you want one of these.

2) Strattec 707592 - This was attractive to me because I have a lot of experience with the old Briggs Stratten AND there is an old fashioned lock and key place near where I work. I showed up and asked for the Strattec 707592 built up and ready for my key. They charged $38 TOTAL and this thing feels and works GREAT. Someone else posted that the key in ignition chime doesn't work with the Strattec - it works fine. Those dimensions are same as original. Someone else also posted that this is the Explorer cylinder - not true - the Exploder has a different part #. This cylinder has a completely different, more solid, expensive and positive feel. Shiny chrome, no fussy lock bar to jam up. Lock in place tab can be depressed without turning key. Locking tab is plastic - easy to depress and could be melted with hot pointy object if necessary. If you're in the Detroit area this place was Fred's Lock, 313 831 5770. The average age of employees was about 65. I doubt if they do mail order - you could ask. A fabulous deal from fabulous people. Very cool!

[fordblue03]

The new lock is the same as the ones in the 05 Focus and newer.

[opquickie]

Woohoo! Just got my new ignition in from Mike aka FordSVTParts and installed it with this awesome step by step.

Had some difficulty gettin the shroud off due to the steering wheel volume control, but made it happen.

Saved $300!!!

[j20000]

Originally Posted by opquickie

Woohoo! Just got my new ignition in from Mike aka FordSVTParts and installed it with this awesome step by step.

Had some difficulty gettin the shroud off due to the steering wheel volume control, but made it happen.

Saved $300!!!

Glad it worked out for you!!!

FYI...FOEDSVTPARTS = Steve