They can cut a key with the VIN, but not program it. Sure it doesn't need the whole ign cylinder replaced? That's a fairly common problem.

 

It might actually be it also, but it will be more expensive right? thats why I wanted to start with the key since it might be cheaper, but I might be wrong [dunno]

 

nope
it's gonna be the ignition cylinder
so about $75 in parts plus an afternoon with a highspeed drill and some good drill bits drilling the old one out

 

[ohcrap] they will have the ignition cylinder cut so I can still use the same key right?

 

Yes its extremely easy to replace the cylinder and they key the cylinder to the original car keys, absolutely NO reprogramming is required..

get it changed BEFORE the ignition freezes permanently unless you feel like drilling your heart out to remove it

its not that hard to remove the cylinder I pulled mine out twice in 20 seconds but I didn;t have a freezing problem, mine was also the new style

if your cylinder on the column has a hammered finish its the old style if it has a chrome ring around it its the new style

this is a new style ignition

heheh quick change

 

Thank you!!!

Yes its extremely easy to replace the cylinder and they key the cylinder to the original car keys, absolutely NO reprogramming is required..

get it changed BEFORE the ignition freezes permanently unless you feel like drilling your heart out to remove it

its not that hard to remove the cylinder I pulled mine out twice in 20 seconds but I didn;t have a freezing problem, mine was also the new style

if your cylinder on the column has a hammered finish its the old style if it has a chrome ring around it its the new style

[woot] thanks that helps a lot! I will try to take it off this week end and see how that goes. thank you again [thankyou]

 

hey when that happened to me last year, i only had to get a new ignition.

 

tap it lightly and it should turn

 

i had this problem too, but my problem was in the shifter. basically, it wasn't fully engaging in "park". warranty replaced this for free.

just another thought to check into.

 

SVT's don't have "park".

HAHAHA, sorry, this just made me laugh. PFFFT! Automatic!?!?!

But yea, good luck, and I am going to bet that you will have to drill it out too.

 

SVT's don't have "park".

 

did not know this.

 

The reason it gets stuck is inside of the Ignition Cylinder is a metal ring that turns the ignition ... this stinking metal ring was of the old Cylinder design and malfunctioned after about a 1 and half or so of use ...

It isn't too hard to get out ... just be patient.

And yes ... if you tap your key in the ignition with the palm of you hand ... it should turn.

BY THE WAY ... IF YOU CAN'T TURN IT ... here is a "HOW-TO" on getting it out by a drill .......... THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IF YOU CAN TURN IT... IS A LITTLE HOLE ON THE BOTTOM HAS A BUTTON YOU PUSH WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" SWITCH AND THAT GETS IT OUT.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=890993

GOOD LUCK.

-Ray-

 

Ray posted this, and there is a picture and a video of it at the biginig, if else, there should be some screws under the wheel, I'll be doing this this afternoon, the ignition cylinder itself was 156 including taxes.

 

Moved to Technical Chat.

 

oops! thank you WD40!

Thanxs guys! I really miss my car now,when I get on my dad's escort which is an automatic, and I start looking for my clutch pedal, he just looks at me and starts laughing [slap]

 

its all good i pretty much live here ( on the forums) I dun want people to stay away from there Focus's long a good majority of problems always stem around common problems

 

two solutions Graphite power and as a last resort wd 40. The graphite powder is a dry lubricant and works really well, and wd40 if you dont have the powder.

 

heh, i remember when this happened to me, i was stuck at my dr's office for @ least 2 hrs. when the guy came out he had a helluva time trying to drill it out w/his regular bits. then he got the safe bit out of his truck and it was out in 30s. lol. idk y he didnt just use that one from the start tho I think he did mention something about that one being particularly expensive.

looked just like that pic when he was done. I think he charged me ~110 for the trip and new lock.

long story short if u have the option do it before it totally dies.

-Sarif2029

 

my ignition cylinder just went out too!!! is this a ford focus thing or what??

 

or if you dont want to spend the money right away, and you can still turn the key and remove the lock cylnder then you can fix it for free by removing the tumblers. that what i did about 6 months ago.

 

is there any place that i can see online of a step by step guide to changing the ignition cylinder?? i need to get this done asap!!! i have been looking and have not found one yet. thanks

 

You're lucky, and yes if you'd check the Complete How-To archive located second thread down from the top of this forum called "Ford Focus Technical Chat Stickied Threads" That contains our Complete How-To Archive and there are directions in there for both drilling the ignition cylinder, and removing it without drilling- if the key still turns.

If it were me, I'd lube that cylinder, and tap on it lightly with a hammer and a screwdriver to knock things loose and get that key to turn if at all possible. I'd try anything to keep from having to drill it out.

I know it's a pain to do, but be thankful Ford made their lock cylinders this way. Even back before RFID chips in keys, it was much more difficult to steal a Ford than it was to steal a GM. I've replaced many a steering column in a GM after purchasing it from police auctions. I even helped a guy in Milwaukee at 3 am who'd caught a potential thief who was about 2 minutes away from being done stealing his car. The cops wouldn't even tell him how to finish beating on the column to steal his own car. The only thing I didn't do was leave him my needle nose pliers to start the car. All that Hollywood piecing wires together to start a car is total BS.