ignition problem.. can you help me?

hi guys..

not my car but one my friend's car who l work with. 2001 ford focus. the ignition doesnt turn.. l mean l cannot turn the key left or right side.. like when the steering wheel locks and you cannot turn the key it is excatly like that. the steering wheel was turning first then we turned it to right and it locked now steering wheel doesnt locked and the ignition too.. l tried everyway, something definetely wrong.. the key does not turn at all.. easily goes is and out but we cant start the car.. what do you guys think the problem is and how can we fix it?


thanks..

Erdal

I messed with a lot of these. The ignition cylinders were bad about binding on the Focuses (Foci?). Anyhow, we always had to remove them with a slide hammer and build a new cylinder. A trick we picked up that isn't on the related TSB is to take a punch and tap the retaining pin that you usually push to remove the cylinder on Fords. Okay, we don't tap it, we beat the @#$% out of it to force it up into the cylinder before we take a slide hammer to it, this prevents it from destroying the column as you remove it. Also, check the plate in the back of the hole for the ignition cylinder, sometimes they get broken when removing. We used to go to the vehicle and remove the ignition cylinder, then if you hold the key close enough to the column to allow the PATS transiever to pick up the code, then you can start it with a screwdriver and drive it home, or to the shop, or wherever your heart desires. Anyhow, good luck with it, and if you're not adept with steering column repair, you might leave this one to a shop.