My ignition tumbler is stuck!! Someone please help!

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tylerdred

Founding Member

Sep 26, 2001

75

0

6

Chicago, IL

Jul 22, 2007

#1

• Jul 22, 2007

• #1

Guys, I feel like a complete idiot and have the stupidest question....

I try to start my car (1989 Mustang 5.0), and the key wont turn at all. I guess when I turned the car off, the steering wheel was rotated 180 degrees. So now, when I try to start the car, the tumbler wont move forward or backwards to turn on the ignition. What could I be doing wrong? Has this happened to anyone else?

 

Hickfied

Member

Nov 9, 2005

413

0

16

Morganton, NC

Jul 22, 2007

#2

• Jul 22, 2007

• #2

It's happened to me, I just had to pull VERY hard on the wheel. Another time I had to jack up the front end to get anymore trave out of the wheel because of the resistance on the surface I was parked on.

 

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tylerdred

Founding Member

Sep 26, 2001

75

0

6

Chicago, IL

Jul 22, 2007

#3

• Jul 22, 2007

• #3

Hickfied said:

It's happened to me, I just had to pull VERY hard on the wheel. Another time I had to jack up the front end to get anymore trave out of the wheel because of the resistance on the surface I was parked on.

Click to expand...

I sprayed the tumbler with WD-40, turned the steering wheel as hard as I could, still nothing

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jul 22, 2007

#4

• Jul 22, 2007

• #4

Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of which it was turned to lock the column. Now while holding the wheel, turn the key. This will remove resistance and let the key rotate.

 

Hickfied

Member

Nov 9, 2005

413

0

16

Morganton, NC

Jul 22, 2007

#5

• Jul 22, 2007

• #5

Guess I left the part out about turning the key while turning the wheel lol.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jul 22, 2007

#6

• Jul 22, 2007

• #6

Hickfied said:

Guess I left the part out about turning the key while turning the wheel lol.

Click to expand...

Nah, I knew what you meant.

I figured it best to be very explicit since pulling on the wheel could be interpreted several ways.

 

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tylerdred

Founding Member

Sep 26, 2001

75

0

6

Chicago, IL

Jul 22, 2007

#7

• Jul 22, 2007

• #7

HISSIN50 said:

Nah, I knew what you meant.

I figured it best to be very explicit since pulling on the wheel could be interpreted several ways.

Click to expand...

still no luck...what to do next? could a locksmith out of the yellow pages fix this? or would i have to tow it to a ford dealership (really dont want to do this)......

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jul 22, 2007

#8

• Jul 22, 2007

• #8

tylerdred said:

still no luck...what to do next? could a locksmith out of the yellow pages fix this? or would i have to tow it to a ford dealership (really dont want to do this)......

Click to expand...

If wiggling the wheel and key didnt help:

Are you sure it's not an issue with the key inserting properly into the lock? On some cars you have to jiggle the key or back it out a little bit for it to turn.

If none of that works, there's a chance the linkage broke and is bound up.