Steering Column Lock stuck on !

I have a serious problem with my 2000 Windstar, I came out of work today and was unable to turn the ignition key to start the car. The front wheels are straight and the steering wheel lock is on. I can move the steering wheel right and left by about 5 degrees and am unable to move the key. The gear is stuck in park.

I persume I am going to have to get to towed to a garge and replace the key cylinder / locking mechanism. Any body had a similar experience or can offer some advice.

Thanks

Sounds like a lock cylinder if the steering wheel is straight and not locking the key in ignition. Some Ford vehicles have problems with key in ignition switches binding. Usually, replacing the lock cylinder is the fix but a sharp technician will remove the key in ignition switch from the cylinder, reinstall it and see if the condition is improved. Good luck.

Just for kicks....with your foot pumping the brake pedal, try REVERSING the key direction just a bit.

And when parking, make sure the parking brake is securely on, while in Neutral .....before releasing foot brake and moving PRNDL lever to Park.

was your wheels cut to left or right also where you parked up or down a hill. I get same problem freaked me out one day when it first happend. after spending a halfhour trying to turn key and even forced it. I put my hand on steering wheel and turned it counter clockwise all really depends on the way your wheels are cut. and put key in at same time as turning wheel. Your steering wheel may feel locked but it will move enough to unlock the ignition switch. Most people dont use emerge brake before putting car or van in park which will tend to wear gear shift link and lot of force on transmision and steering locks

Good advice, thanks.

My 2000 Windstar is currently in the Shop waiting on a new key cylinder.
The mechanic has removed the key barrel and says there is a broken spring.
The Key barrel kit is 30+ parts and needs to be assembled to match my key. Hope he can do this too!

hickmagp

Thanks for the advice.

Ouch I would have checked the junk yard first and now you have 2 keys one for locks and 1 for ignition. Or if that cost to much I would have hooked a door bell button to start van and hide it in van with a on off toggle switch hide that as well on the same circit line Old school stuff dont put toggle switch close to the door bell starter.
its funny watching people try to start car with a key when you have a door bell installed.
pretty cool idea Ive done it to a lot of my cars its real funny when I take it to a shop and they tell me I need a new battery or starter because my car wont start and want to run test's to find problem to suck your hard working money. of course you still need key to turn for ACC position. Just dont let shops undermind you. You must undermind them or they will suck your money dry.

I took my van to ford 4 months ago to find a problem that I was having. Anyway they did find the problem and with out my consent they fixed it. the thing is I didnt tell them to fix it. So I go to pick up my van and they present this $800 bill to me. So i said to them it cost 800 bucks to hook my van up to computer to find problem. I was pissed. manager comes out ask's if there was a problem and I should pay the 800 for the work that was done. I had a friend with me and several witness's and on the work order says computer diagnostics only cost $68. So I told them I was not going to pay and they cant make me. I also gave them a choice to put my old parts back on and they refused to do it. I dont know what kind of ethics this place had. I was going to call the cops told them I was going to report them. After exchanging more than just a few words to the manager he wiped my keys at me and told me to never come back again.
Like I would go back to that hole anyway. I didnt think ford would do that to people. long story short I didnt sue them for throwing my keys at me and I didnt have to pay them anything just a cut on my face. A friend told me I could have sued them for thousands but I think people who where there and saw it will hurt them the most in the long run.

where's a videocamera when you need one

People are hurt most when justice is not done. Talk to a civil lawyer.