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I finally got my gremlins worked out and now my key won't turn the ignition lock cylinder. It was working fine up until a few days ago. It slowly got more and more finicky with each start until it would not turn at all.
I figured it was the tumblers hanging up so I quirted some lube in there and taped it with a mallet, still no luck. Inspected my keys, nothing is broken on any of them.
Any other tricks out there before I have to bring it to a locksmith?
Have you stuck a paperclip in the hole and removed the inside tumbler?
Turn to "Accessory" position first, inset paper clip in tiny hole, continue slowly turning counterclockwise as you gently pull out on the key. At some point the inside cylinder should pop out. Maybe you'll see something going on there.
Brian, you may have trouble doing this if he can't turn the key backwards, much-less forwards. It may actually be the switch and not the tumblers. Sadly Ford didn't want you to be able to remove the switch from under the dash without first removing the tumbler.Quote:
Originally Posted by redfalken
You may have to disconnect the battery, pull the wires off the back, and then destroy the switch from behind (pull the plastic part of the switch from off the housing) to let the switch part fall away. Then the switch may turn. I've got a few switch housings if you need another.
So... here's a big "good luck" to you Brian. :doh:
Roger you are correct as my first thought was to try and get the cylinder out to inspect it. Jeff stopped over and was able to trick the tumblers into positon to get it out. We found a very worn cylinder and one of the tumblers was missing.
I picked up an entire dash out of a '64 at one point that still had the ignition switch, lock cylinder, and key in it. The tumbler is not great but it works fine so I put that in my switch for now to keep me rolling.
My plan is to get a new cylinder then send it along with all of my door locks (5 of them!) to a locksmith to have them reconditioned and keyed the same.