Today, I noticed that it's getting difficult to take the key out of the ignition. The car will work okay (sorta, 'cause it's a Focus :lol: ) but, when I take the key out, it isn't as easy as it used to be, and also, the chime to remind me that I've left the keys in the car starts, even when the key is out of the ignition. So far, I just push on the cylinder and the chime stops. Am I going to one day soon be in a big panic and need to get a new ignition cylinder? Or, get one ASAP and get it put in?
Get a new asap.
Mine seaized on me, and they key was freakin stuck. Couldn't turn the car on, stuck in a hospital parking lot...tow truck had fun going over barriers to get to my car.
definately need a new one ASAP.....It will get to the point very soon where it will not turn or the keys will not come out.....its a typical Ford problem....the cylinders are crap
Same here.
It was sticking for about a year, then it got stuck to the point where I could not turn the ignition. I had to leave the car where it was. (it it was not at home :( ). I had to use a rubber mallet to loosen the ignition so that it could finally turn and then it was still sticky even on the way out of the ignition.
Had to bring it in to the stealership to fork over $400 for a new tumbler and to rekey the tumbler to my key. :angry:
get it changed its happened to both my Foci if you don't want tp pay dealer price i have a key cylinder and key that will work for you.
yes i agree with the others. change it ASAP while it turns before it needs to be drilled out. similar thing happened to me.. then it finally seized.. i was able to get it to turn, and i left the key in there until i could take it to the dealer.. this way they could just pop in a new lock cyl and no drilling needed..
also postponed the trip to the dealer and drove my car to brooklyn a few times hoping someone would steal the POS because i had the key left in the ignition and the door unlocked.. but i goess no one wanted a focus hatch ... no one stole that shiet :(
happened to me the other way few days ago..
was working on headunit and then tried to put key in and wasn;t going in..
i violently try to shove key in and out couple times and key got in, then key was not turning..took the key out and put key in few times and it went in and start car no problem..
it feels a bit sticky when turning key but works.
Same thing happened to my 04 but the locksmith hooked me up for $200.He showed me the little part that messes up the hole thing.The new one is different he says it won't happen again.I almost bought one from the dealer for $120 but he said i would have the same problem down the road.The dealer wanted around $300 if they did the job......Crooks!!!
Flofocus,Feb 2 2008, 05:41 PM Wrote:Get a new asap.
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x 2 or 3 - whatever ... FWIW the official Ford explanation is user error - too much weight hanging off key chains.
i've heard that too much weight thing as well on other car forums. after the incident with the focus i only keep the ignition key and wireless remote attached and separate keys for everything else
naz,May 2 2008, 06:18 PM Wrote:i've heard that too much weight thing as well on other car forums. after the incident with the focus i only keep the ignition key and wireless remote attached and separate keys for everything else
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Funny thing though, and this is a habit I picked up from my late father, my keyring is a mass of keys, between home, office and the car and I've NEVER had issues WRT to keys sticking in the ignition...
Maybe part of the answer as to why is because I'm gentle when inserting/turning the key because I have to do it by reaching over with my left hand as opposed to the right one :huh:
NefCanuck
I've found that by reducing the weight on the ignition cylinders, and being gentle, and a little lubrication...........ummm, sorry, different topic :blink: Actually, like Nefcanuck said, being gentle and careful has been the trick. I'm the original poster, and since posting, I have taken my time with the keys and the ignition, and haven't had any issues with it since. I think when I posted it , I was trying to get 4 million things done in a couple of milliseconds.
luckily when my ignition stopped working it was in the shop for a wheel rotation
and weight is bs i only have a house key on mine
just happened to me tonight at a golf course.. gettin the car picked up by my cousin tomorrow