Locked ingnition

[MHart22]

I have a 97 Ford Taurus, and for the last couple of weeks, the ignition has been sticking. It would let me put the key in, but wouldn't always turn right away. The other day I went to start it and it completely locked. I can't turn the key at all once I put it in the ignition. I tried jiggling and yanking the steering wheel and gear shift, pressing the gas and break, and checking the fuse box in the front of the engine. Any suggestions?

[GPFred]

You could try electrical circuit cleaner which is alcohol based to clean the ingnition lock and see if that releases it, you may even try some lock graphite. If not, you may have to replace the ignition lock.

[shorod]

Do you have another ignition key you can try? Maybe the key is worn too much and not lifting the tumblers enough.

-Rod

[Stefanm]

I have a 1998 Taurus Wagon and had the same problem about 3 years ago. It was intermittent for a while, then in a mall parking lot it locked up for good. I somehow got the ignition key barrel out, I think there was a small hole that I had to stick a pin into, with the key inserted into the ignition the barrel came out. You need to be careful if you try to pull out the key because some barrels will pop the springs etc into the air and then you will need to get the jam out, cause you're toast! I put my index finger above the springs and my thumb below, pulled the key, prayed, blow into the end and all around. A small piece of something came out, I re-assembled it and things have worked well since.
Maybe a very strong vacuum directed at the key entry point would save all that work.

Stefan