2000 Taurus without keyless entry

[tj449]

I accidently put a 2003 taurus key into my 2000 Taurus driver side door lock.
Now I can not open the door on the driver side with my 2000 key. How can I reset the lock so I can open the door?

[shorod]

Did the key from your 2003 fit into the cylinder easily, but you applied a lot of torque trying to get it to turn, or was it difficult to get the key inserted into the cylinder? You may have bent/broken tumblers or wedged the casting of the cylinder.

I'm not aware of a way to fix this without removing the key cylinder and inspecting it.

Are you able to get into the car either through a lock on the passenger door or by climbing through the trunk so that you can get the driver's door unlocked and open?

-Rod

[tj449]

Originally Posted by shorod

Did the key from your 2003 fit into the cylinder easily, but you applied a lot of torque trying to get it to turn, or was it difficult to get the key inserted into the cylinder? You may have bent/broken tumblers or wedged the casting of the cylinder.

I'm not aware of a way to fix this without removing the key cylinder and inspecting it.

Are you able to get into the car either through a lock on the passenger door or by climbing through the trunk so that you can get the driver's door unlocked and open?

-Rod

Rod,

It was working fine all day today until I put my wife's 2003 taurus key into the lock. When I realized I had the wrong key, and put my key in, it would not open. I can get in on the passenger side and use the trunk lock.

Thanks,

tj449

[tj449]

Originally Posted by tj449

Rod,

It was working fine all day today until I put my wife's 2003 taurus key into the lock. When I realized I had the wrong key, and put my key in, it would not open. I can get in on the passenger side and use the trunk lock.

Thanks,

tj449

The 2003 key went in easy, but would not turn of course, and it slid out easily. The 2000 key went in easily as well, but would not turn either.

TJ449

[shorod]

What are the chances that you are experiencing freezing weather in MA this time of year and the lock is just frozen?

Since it doesn't sound like you really tried to force the key to turn, and it inserts and removes easily, it doesn't sound like hardened tumblers would be damaged.

Have you tried some type of pentrant to see if that has an effect?

-Rod

[tj449]

Originally Posted by shorod

What are the chances that you are experiencing freezing weather in MA this time of year and the lock is just frozen?

Since it doesn't sound like you really tried to force the key to turn, and it inserts and removes easily, it doesn't sound like hardened tumblers would be damaged.

Have you tried some type of pentrant to see if that has an effect?

-Rod

You hit it right on the nose. The lock was not frozen but with some graphite it freed itself up yesterday. Thanks for the replies. Dont know why it suddenly need lubricant, but it worked. Thank you for your time and effort.