door locks: here's a weird one

[bostonjake]

So I can't get into my 1998 Taurus SE.. any tips very much appreciated.

I drove to work today, parked, and locked the car using the keyless entry. When I got back to it tonight, I couldn't get in it. None of the keyless entry buttons (lock/unlock/pop trunk/alarm) do anything. Worse, the key won't turn either of the door locks (passenger or driver). It does open the trunk, but that doesn't do me much good since the seats are up. I put a new battery in the keyless entry unit but still no dice.

I've had problems with the antitheft system rejecting keys in the ignition before, but I was under the impression that the door locks don't check for the special keys.

And yes, I did check to make sure it was my car... not too many with Packers Stickers and WI plates in Boston...

Any ideas? Thanks!

Jacob

[trandude]

did you have the key made that you have now or is it a factory key?
I bought my 1999 with the non factory key and sometimes I have to play with and wiggle the key several minutes to get it to open. Also make sure you didn't put the battery in the remote upside down. when you opened the trunk did the trunk lite come on. maybe you left your lights on or your car battery is dead no letting the doors unlock. how did you get back home?

[yotermanic]

How worn is your key? Your trunk only uses one or two of the cuts to open and I think your doors use different cuts. Worn keys cause a lot of problems. Also, have you tried spraying some lube into the lock cylinders to try to get them unstuck?

[dita0401]

this is beyond wierd. whoever thought of it shoud get a good ass kickin. i always love to see a packers fan in trouble though. remember that breakin a window is the cheap way out. pretty cheap to get from boneyard even for a car this new because of how common it is

[bostonjake]

Naw, it's an original key with the chip thing in it... the battery is facing with the positive terminal up, just as the old one was - though it'd be nice if Ford could have sprung the extra fraction of a penny for a little LED to go on while you hit a button... gf's civic has that.

No, the trunk light did not come on, which is making me suspicious. Certainly it should be possible to get into the car even if the battery is dead.

Took the bus home, thanks for asking Tommorow I'm going back with a large can of wd-40.

Cheers --

Originally Posted by trandude

did you have the key made that you have now or is it a factory key?
I bought my 1999 with the non factory key and sometimes I have to play with and wiggle the key several minutes to get it to open. Also make sure you didn't put the battery in the remote upside down. when you opened the trunk did the trunk lite come on. maybe you left your lights on or your car battery is dead no letting the doors unlock. how did you get back home?

[TomV]

I have a 97 sedan. I do not understand why you cannot drop the rear seats backs from the trunk. The latches are very large and easy to get to from there.

[pmusselman]

Originally Posted by bostonjake

Naw, it's an original key with the chip thing in it... the battery is facing with the positive terminal up, just as the old one was - though it'd be nice if Ford could have sprung the extra fraction of a penny for a little LED to go on while you hit a button... gf's civic has that.

No, the trunk light did not come on, which is making me suspicious. Certainly it should be possible to get into the car even if the battery is dead.

Took the bus home, thanks for asking Tommorow I'm going back with a large can of wd-40.

Cheers --

How did you fix this I am having the same problem. HELP PLEASE!