1998 taurus door locks/keyless entry

[thuzek]

Does anyone know why when I go to unlock this car with the regular key, you have to put the key in the lock(all locks) and wait for about 1 minute before the key will turn? The key fobs work fine locking and unlocking, I just dont have room on the keychain. It seems like the locks are waiting for a confirmation that I have to right key before it allows unlocking. Also, the key works fine starting the car. Any ideas?

[shorod]

Did this just start recently? If so, I'd have to guess it's due to moisture in the lock and the cold weather we're having currently. Maybe the key is warm enough that it can heat the small amount of moisture in your lock after a few seconds there. Although the lock should have a lot more thermal mass than the key. I suppose though if it's not much moisture, it's possible.

-Rod

[thuzek]

Its definately not a moisture/freezing issue. It has done the same thing since I bought it 5 years ago. It makes no difference if its 80 degrees or 0 degrees. I know that the locks have a electronic system of somekind. When the locks finally do turn and unlock the door, you turn the key again and it unlocks all the doors from same location. Just dont understand why there is a pause when using a key and not a fob.

[shorod]

Okay, so you've got the lock with the switch inside to unlock all doors. Let me see if I have this straight. You insert the key into the door lock cylinder. For some reason you are unable to turn the key to unlock the driver's door for some amount of time (seems like 1 minute). Once you are able to turn the key, it unlocks the drivers door and offers no significant resistance from you to turn back to the middle, then back to unlock to unlock all doors. Is that pretty much it? It's worked this way since you got the car.

Have you ever tried lubricating the lock cylinder with silicone or graphite lube? Some form of dry lubricant that won't be prone to collecting dust and dirt and won't freeze.

As far as I know, the locks are still mechanical in nature with integrated tact switches for the "all unlock" feature. That would lead me to believe you have a tumbler or two that is binding or worn. You say it works similarly on the passenger door two though? Do you use both door lock cylinders about the same amount of time?

Have you tried a second key to see if it functions similarly? Maybe your key is too worn and doesn't quite get one of the tumblers pushed up enough all the time, but a bit of wiggling while trying to get the key to turn, causes it to drop in to place.

-Rod

[thuzek]

I have 2 keys and they both do the same thing. I have lubricated the locks on a number of occasions. All the locks do it, both front doors and the liftgate lock. If I stick the key in, and try to turn it, it wont turn. If you keep trying to turn the locks, after about a minute +-, the door lock will unlock with no resistance. When you first put the key in, it is as though the key is not made for the car, it wont do anything. Any ideas?

[tripletdaddy]

Could the fob system need to be reset, like a reboot, or reprogrammed?

[shorod]

Sounds like the remote keyless works fine, I interpret the issue to be the keys don't seem to work like they should.

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

Now I do not claim to have any personal experience with your unusual problem, but I am approaching this as if the car were mine. After doing a little research at this link with autozone.com http://http://www.autozone.com/az/cd...rInfoPages.htm
I saw there is a anti-theft switch also called a door lock cylinder switch. As you have nothing to loose here, I would try pulling the fuse that would power this switch. I could only guess that it is on the door lock fuse. Then, see what happens. But if I can't figure it out, I would ask my dealer what could be causing this. And if they won't, I'll keep calling until I find one who will tell me. That's all I got.

[thuzek]

I'll check into that anti-theft door switch to see what effect it has. Its the wifes car so its not a huge deal, but very annoying when it is raining out. Thanks for the tip..