So I go out to my car (98 Expedition) this morning, stick the key in the ignition and nothing. I mean, I might as well have been using the key to my front door or something. The key goes in but it will not turn wtf?
Could some tumblers have gone bad or something? Anyone have any advice or experience taking the ignition area apart? Thanks guys.

P.S. - I was NOT using the wrong key and the steering wheel was NOT locked.

 

I'm not trying to sound stupid, but sometimes when the wheel locks to the left or right, the key will not turn unless you pull the steering wheel away from the "lock". If the wheel was turned right and won't go back to the left, then turn it further to the right and try turning the key. The key is impossible to turn if you don't. It hasn't happened to me, very often, but it has happened.

 

I appreciate the advice...will give it a try tonight.
Also, I found a little more about what led to this. My wife tells me (this morning and not last night when ti happened) that last night, when she went to the store, she put the key in and turned it and hear a LOUD squeeling high pitch sound. Took the key out (sound stopped) and put it back and the key wouldn't turn.

While I think the high pitch sound is unrelated to the key not turning I though I'd mention it for good measure.

P.S. - I now hear that the high-pitched sound has happened before (my wife drives it mostly) and that in the past she has simply taken the key out and put it back and started the truck fine.

 

Is your key worn? I've had this happen to me with another vehicle that I've had a long time. I simply tried a "spare" key that had hardly ever been used, and everything worked fine.

- Jack

 

Thanks JnJ. On my way home I spoke with a nice guy (talked to him countless times before) at my local Ford dealer.
He suggested I try sliding the cylinder out as he thought this was the culprit.
I just got home and went out there and took the three screws that hold the bottom of the cover behind the sw. In the process of pushing in the little "silver ball" that would have released the cylinder, the key turned ?? (and started fine and all) Took the key out and tried it again and it wouldn't turn again. This time though, I "gently" rammed the key in and turned and worked. I'm still at a loss as to what exactly is wrong. I think it's either the cylinder or the rod.
I went ahead and ordered the blank cylinder which the dealer will build to my key. We'll see.

 

mine did that, do u have another key to try? my key was just worn out and it took alot of jiggleing to get it to turn it came to a point where it looked like i was trying to steal the truck and was having a hard time doing it cuz i had to wiggle it for like 5 min before it worked lol but i only had 1 key and my truck has a chip in the key so i had to get for to program the key, but with a new key it works fine now.

 

Good move!!! Its probably the tumblers in the cylinder getting worn. To remove/change the cylinder, you must be able to turn the key to the "on" position. Otherwise, it is locksmith time - and a lot of labor costs. The key could be getting worn a bit as well, but the lock cylinder is a common problem.

 

I think both can wear. If you see little flecks of brass around the keyhole, that's a dead giveaway.

- Jack