I have a 09 F350 Lariat SuperCrew SRW 4x4, Last night the ignition key would not turn at all. Tried wiggling the steering wheel, (noticed it wasn't locked), wiggled the shift lever (auto trans). After about an hour of "beatn and jiggling, it just started working!?? I have no idea what caused this, neither does my dealers service dept. It's working fine now. Has anyone had this happen to them?

 

Welcome to FTE.

Could it be the key is getting worn out?

 

I don't think so, I bought the truck new in Nov. 09, and it only has 11k miles. Service Mgr. just told me they couldn't duplicate the problem and Ford has no reports on what could cause it. So I guess I'll just drive it till it does it again.

 

Good luck. I hope it only does this when you are at home.

 

Unlike the Ford Focus that would leave you sitting wherever you shut it off at last in the 00-01 years...lol

 

I had similar issues on cars with 200,000 miles on them, but pretty new truck?
What helped me was spraying WD40 inside the lock with the small hose, than inserting and removing the key several times -wiping it at each time. That removed quite some dirt from the cylinder.
Also start using second key as they wear out the blades and cylinder over the time to the point when never used key will not work.

 

That is a great tip. Thanks.

 

Thanks for the input, dealership sprayed graphite based lube inside ignition switch. They said that it's possible the tumblers inside the switch could have been sticking. I hope it works, because "ChargersFan" is right, if it does it again I'm stuck. Thank God for roadside assistance and cell phones. This is the first problem I've had with this truck, I really love it, and it pulls my 13k lb. 35' 5th wheel like it's a lawn cart.

 

Howdy,

2006 F250 Lariat 6.0 auto, last year I replaced the ignition cylinder due to a break in.

Wheel is locked, ignition wont turn, ignition cylinder will not slide out and release button will not press in. I have damaged the cylinder trying to get it out or while trying to turn it.

Any ideas? I will drill the release button tonight trying to get the cylinder out.

 

I just want to thank you guys after reading all the post i was able to find the problem with my 06 f150 ! the ignition would not turn to the run position. i shot a bunch of free all in it and it started working .thanks again

 

on a few fords I have owned in the truck class, if the wheels are not straight, and the vehicle was parked on a slope, the key would not turn unless you turned the steering wheel back to center until the key clicked.

 

Ditto speak! Beat me to it. Try rotating the steering wheel one way or the other while rotating the key and see if that solves the problem. People have been experiencing this phenomena since the late 60s when the steering wheel lock function came into vogue Detroit wide.

 

VERY IMPORTANT: Park with your front wheels straight and steering wheel centered.
02 f350 4x4 auto key wouldn't turn and steering wheel not moveable to jiggle to try to get ignition to turn on as had to do on occasion in the past. Had to jack up both front tires til off the ground then steering wheel could be jiggled til key turned on!
Had a helpful dealer service manager help me to suggest this based on his experience. Have dealt with them for a while and will continue to as he could have taken advantage of the situation but didn't.
Nice to see!