Key wont turn, it's locked stiff !

[heater989]

This is weird, Ford Taurus, 2000.

I put the key into the ignition, and it wont turn !! It wont even budge.

How come this is happenening. I tried moving the wheel that wont help. I cant even turn the key backwards to power the car.

Thank you for the help

[crazymonkey1385]

This might help, or it might not. I had a problem like yours a long time ago but i cant remember eactly. Do you have to depress the break pedal to turn the key, or to shift? I think I could not turn the key in my 98 taurus and the break light whire was caroded

[heater989]

Im sorry what does depres mean ? Meaning to step on the beak ????

[bhoneyw]

I had this problem and I had a new key made a it solved the issue.

[heater989]

Nope it wasnt the key i just tried the spare

any other suggestions?

[bhoneyw]

no,sorry. it sounds like you will most likely need to replace your ignition switch.

[shorod]

Did you get any movement out of the steering wheel when you turned it? If not, you may not have rotated it enough and it may still be binding against the steering lock, preventing you from turning the key cylinder. Try again and maybe even have someone try to turn the key while you two-hand tug on the steering wheel.

If that still doesn't work, then I agree with bhoneyw that you will probably need to remove the steering column trim, look for binding, and if none is found, replace the key cylinder.

-Rod

[seidlebo]

I had a somewhat similar problem. I could turn the key to shut the car off, but I could not turn switch far enough back to pull the key out. I had to (ok, really, it was my father in law who actually knows something about cars) remove the ignition switch, then disassemble steering column. It turns out there was a broken spring (probably worth about 25 cents) which did not allow the ignition to properly disengage. Sorry, but that is about all I can remember... it was a couple of years ago. Don't know if that will help or not.

Also, I have a 95 Millenia where the key will occassionally not turn in the ignition as if the steering column is not locking properly. Fortunately, with a remote starter, I can start it that way and the steering wheel then releases and I can turn the key. I have no idea what causes this or how to fix - so I will be interested in seeing other feedback for you in case I can use it. If this seems more like your problem, you might look at installing a remote starter... seems rather excessive, but it works for me in this instance.

Good luck.
Boyd

[brokenantimatter]

Get a drift punch and compress the cylinder lock in the ignition switch and see if that helps.

[fragmore]

Before you disassemble things, grab the steering wheel with both hands and turn it as hard as you can. Have a friend turn the key at the same time. This should have eased the tension on the lock enough to set it free. This happens when you turn the car off when are not quite straight.

[Millermagic]

I remeber when we got my 2001 SES for my grandmother we had the same problem. So bad, that a local garage couldn't start it for her so they had to tow it to the dealer. The dealer had a hell of a time too. Try to turn and hold the wheel and try it. Or jiggle the wheel while trying to turn the key.

These cars don't have a brake interlock to start, just as long as it is in neutral or park it will start.