99 Taurus Trunk Key

[bcsman]

The key for the ignition doesn't work to open the trunk. Just wondering if the 99 Taurus has a separate key for the trunk or is the ignition key supposed to double for that also?? Thanks!!

Brian

[fordfool]

It should be the same key unless one lock was replaced. Most likely the ignition was replaced.

[bcsman]

Thanks for the info!

Any way to get a trunk key, such as taking a number off the truck lock assembly and taking to Ford?? Or using the VIN for the trunk key info?? The trunk release button on the dash works, but always good to have a key when electronics fails!!

[shorod]

For the time being you could just remove the lock assembly, pull all the tumblers out, and go that route. It would still look like a lock, but pretty much anything could open the trunk.

Have you tried spraying some penetrating lube in the lock to make sure it's not just that the lock is seized up? If you find it is seized, you will want to apply a greasless lubricant in the lock such as powdered graphite. Just be careful where you put the keys immediately afterwards as the graphite can make a real mess out of a pair of light khaki pants.

-Rod

[bcsman]

Yea I kinda think it may be seized up. The key only goes in about halfway and that's it. Tried spraying some WD40 in the key hole, I'll let it sit awhile and try again. If not I'll take the plastic cover off tomorrow and see what the tumblers look like. At least at this time the trunk release button on the dash works, but as I said, electronics can fail and then what??

Brian

[shorod]

If the key only goes in halfway, it does sound like seized tumblers.

If the trunk release solenoid fails before you get the key issue fixed, you should be able to access the trunk through the folding rear seat. You'd at least be able to get the trunk lid open that way to replace the latch.

-Rod

[bcsman]

Yea the key only goes halfway in and hits a block. I took the ignition key from the 99 Taurus and tried it on the trunk of my 2007 Taurus. It goes all the way in, just won't turn, so I assume with that it's not the wrong key, but the tumblers are froze. I took the plastic cover off the inside of the trunk to look at the lock assembly, but it's getting VERY cold here in Michigan and didn't want to fiddle with removing it today. There'll be a better day to do that! Looks like you have to remove the red plastic on the outside of the trunk to get access to remove the lock--too many nuts to remove today! I'll just drop most of them!

Brian

[bcsman]

Originally Posted by shorod

For the time being you could just remove the lock assembly, pull all the tumblers out, and go that route. It would still look like a lock, but pretty much anything could open the trunk.

Have you tried spraying some penetrating lube in the lock to make sure it's not just that the lock is seized up? If you find it is seized, you will want to apply a greasless lubricant in the lock such as powdered graphite. Just be careful where you put the keys immediately afterwards as the graphite can make a real mess out of a pair of light khaki pants.

-Rod

OK removed the lock assembly today. Have sprayed WD40 inside and out and still the key only goes halfway in. Don't want to force too much and break the key off! Also tapped on the lock with a hammer to possible free up the tumblers.

With the lock removed how do I remove the tumblers?? Looking at the lock from the inside I see a spring that could be removed. Don't see how I can get inside it from the key side. Feel kinda dumb here!!

Brian

[shorod]

I've only changed tumblers on door locks, not on a trunk so I'm not 100% positive, but suspect it's similar to door locks.

On the door locks there is a little metal cover that you can pop loose to access the tumblers. Be warned though that there are springs just under that metal cover, so as soon as you release the cover, if you are not applying some pressure to the cover, springs may go flying. Below the springs will be some brass spacer cylinders, and below those will be the tumblers.

You could pull the springs and spacers, then try to insert the key and see if how many tumblers are moving. You might also be able to see what's causing the obstruction once you get that deep in to the lock as well.

Going off of memory, the metal cover I'm referring to is about 4 mm wide by 3 mm tall by 15 mm long and I believe it just snaps in place.

-Rod

[bcsman]

Doesn't look like this is similar. The lock assembly itself seems to be attached to an adapter that bolts the whole assembly to the trunk lid. Need to see if I can find out how to unattach the lock assembly, then maybe I can find that cover you're talking about. Looks like maybe a spring pin may be it, but have to wait until tomorrow morning to get outside and find a small punch. Sure wish I could just get the inards freed up, but seems to be pretty tight!!

If the same key works in both I would think the lock assemblies would be similar, but what do I know!!

Brian

[tripletdaddy]

If you choose to pull the pumbler pin cover, cup your hands over it on a cleared flat surface, maybe even the biggest cookie sheet with 4 sides you have and a light colored floor (to find any projectiles) when you pop the cover off. A clear isolation chamber would be nice but who has one of those? Instead, why not put the whole cylinder body in a ziplok baggy and soak it for awhile in a penetrating oil. Kerosene or diesel might even work followed by WD-40. WD-40 can also be bought in bulk or just get some cheap Walmart spray. Then run the key from your 99 in it real rough in and out. Then be a little aggressive with the correct key. I'd stick the key in and then turn it upside down to tap the end of the key on something like a piece of wood while grasping it by the cylinder body. That way you can feel how soft or hard you are tapping it that you wouldn't be able to sense as well as with a hammer. It might be worth while to buy a blank key that fits it to work those pins loose. I believe it would be easier to push in as only one pin at a time has to be pushed up at a time. Then they will just slide along the smooth face of the key and not bump against any more pins, thereby only requiring only the forsce necessary to raise one pin at a time and less likely for the pins to catch as the key continues past them. Also, a blank is much less likely to break and you definitely don't want your good key to break. Then, when you have it working you can take the blank back to where you got it and then you can get the key cut, since you already paid for that. Good luck.

[65comet]

My key stopped working in the passenger door and the trunk. I have two spare keys that almost never get used that also didn't turn them, so I knew it wasn't the key wearing down. I took out the trunk lock and could see that one of the pins wasn't moving out fully when the key was inserted. I took both to a local locksmith, and since they were already out of the car and no new keys needed to be made, they only charged me $18 to clean the locks and replace a couple of the pins. I took all the keys with me to make sure they all worked before leaving the shop. Putting the trunk lock back, I didn't have any pop-rivets of the right size, so I used some sheetmetal screws till the next time I restock my rivets.

[bcsman]

Taurus going back to my daughter-in-law so put this project on hold. Put the lock back in and hopefully will be warmer here in Michigan when I try again. Thanks for the good advice from all. Will try these ideas, or just go to the local junkyard and remove one from one of the many older Taurus's sitting out there. Just have to make sure he has a key for it!!! Have already taken a few parts from one same year and color--very handy!!

Brian

[bcsman]

Change in plans--the car went in to get the ignition switch changed so I took the trunk lock assembly back out and it's now soaking in kerosene for the night. Purchased two Ford keys and didn't have them cut, just the stock to use as ramming devices after soaking the lock. Hopefully have some positive news on this later, what's the worst that can happen--I ruin the lock?? Already there as it is!!

Brian

[bcsman]

Good news-bad news!
Good news, soaked in kersosene on and off all weekend. Bought a blank key and tapped to free up the tumblers. Sprayed with some WD40 and goes in and out fairly well now.

Bad news, went outside and got the ignition key and it slid in very nicely. Only problem is it doesn't want to unlock it! Don't want to get too crazy with it as I think it's the only one.

If the tumblers are freed up now and if the key is correct should it turn fairly easily now?? If I take the lock to Ford's can they get a number off it to get the correct key??

Brian