2008 February | All Kinds of Sports Infos and Equipment

Ball Key

February 29th, 2008 admin No comments

Ball Key
The key in the ignition will not turn in my Ford Focus?

I bet you've never heard of this problem.
I pulled out the keys of my pocket and as I was inserting the key into the ignition I notice a lint ball.
I didn't react quick enough and now the lint ball is stuck in my ignition and the key will not turn.
I am so mad at myself, it was a pleasant 110 degrees in the car and I tried the following.
1. I sprayed WD 40 in the ignition
2.I sprayed that canned air into it also
3. I took a paper clip and put a little hook on the end of it, and almost pooped my pants when it got stuck.
I did manage to get it unstuck but the key still will not turn and now my car is stuck in a parking lot.
Any ideas, I don't want to spend a lot of money for something so stupid.
A stupid little lint ball, GEEZ!

The lint did not cause your problem, it was just coincidence. The ignition cylinders are known to stick on the Focus, it is a common problem. One thing you may try is to take one hand and hold pressure on the key as to turn it and with the other hand lightly tap the end of the key with a small hammer or the end of a screwdriver or something similar, this usually works to free it up to turn. This is not a repair, just to get you where you need to go. The ignition switch will need to be replaced with the updated cylinder from Ford, the dealer will be able to do it, and probably has it in stock, due to the many of these we have to do. If it is still working when you get to the dealer, it will be easy to change, if it does not come loose, the cylinder will have to be drilled out and replaced, which will take a little longer. Hopefully tapping on the end of the key while attempting to turn will free it, but it will stick again if it is not replaced.