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Termyn8or -> RE: How to pop an automatic out of park so it can be towed to zines (9/5/2008 12:10:07 AM)
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Listen up.
I had this happen and it was a Ford, and the bare facts is if you cannot make that key turn you need a new steering column. I have taken them apart and I know how they are built, they are among the hardest American cars to steal. Also this results in this problem.
Put the key in, bang the steering column with a hammer on the bottom. Do it again and again. It might take a half dozen tries but it might work. Once the key turns, DO NOT LOCK IT AGAIN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. There is a way to release the defective lock cylinder without even dismantling the steering column, I can't iterate it here, but if you buy a new cylinder at a parts store it will come with instructions.
The main thing is, once it turns no matter how bad you had to beat on it, the lock cylinder is alot cheaper than the whole column.
Put the key in, take a hammer and hit the column at the bottom, try to turn it both ways. Do this five times. If it will go to ACC (to the "left") get ready and turn that key to the right as fast as you can, to keep the tumblers from dropping. I mean as fast as you possibly can, prepare yourself, perhaps even use something like a screwdriver with said hammer to make that happen. Once the key turns to the right, it is a simple job.
Once turned to the right, it is a five minute job, but if the key will not turn to the right, you need a steering column.
If hitting it on the bottom doesn't work, hit it on the top. If you get it to turn you can always touch up the paint. If not that column is going to be melted down and sent to China anyway.
I wish I could get the Ford steering column design in blue Buicks and my truck, it is one of the most advanced out there. Their selection of materials as well as their base design is excellent, and is probably one of the best things about a Ford. I would never steal one though, they do not make any car that I would "lust" after, some good daily drivers but even Lincolns and Mercurys do not impress me at all.
I wish I could have that kind of security in a GM, but GM let me down. I have had more GM cars stolen from me than anyone here I would bet. It is so common it is not even worth mentioning.
If you are interested I can describe how these modern ignition locks work, and why they are so hard to defeat. GM is also hard to defeaat, but it is the structure behind the lock is where GM fails, and Ford excels. However the cylinder itself is a very advanced design, practically pickproof, and now that I think of it, if that is the only problem with the car, you should not be calling a garage, you should be calling a locksmith. They might be able to dislodge the stuck tumbler and then simply replace the cylinder. Cheaper.
T
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