My dad goes to pull the key out of his 94 F150 XL 4.9 and it does not want to come out. He proceeds to push it in and out a few times, and then it finally comes out. Just for the heck of it, he decides to just turn the ignition forward, w/o the key in it, just to see if it would start, and guess what, it did! So now he doesn't need the key start the truck at all. What has went wrong and what needs replaced to make the truck normal again? Thanks!

 

You need to replace the lock cylinder. The tumblers are worn out. My wifes Taurus is the same way. But if you pull the key and wiggle it it will lock. I don't let it bother me, it's actually rather convienient sometimes.
You can pick them up at Advance or ? or ? whatever chain is near you for about 15 bucks. Pretty easy to change. It's best to replace them before they go completely cause then they are a real b!tch.

 

Thanks. What all is involved in changing them?

 

Actually very simple, when you buy the cylinder they generally come with easy to follow directions. You have to have the key to do it tho.

 

Bought it, and with the assembly out of the column, the key comes out, but when installed, it will not, what is a matter?

 

The most likely problem is that you aren't getting everything lined up just right. Make sure you have the key in the position it tells you and everything in the column is lined up. Things in there can move around if you just bump them a little bit.

 

Thanks--got it going!

 

I have a 95' truck like yours and have had lock cylinder problems. The guy at the locksmith said this is a typical problem for Fords of our model. I'm on my 3rd cylinder and I doubt it's going to last much longer. Knowing you swapped yours so easy, I might do it myself next time.

 

And STILL nobody stole it.