Just drilled out my first ignition cylinder... that was fun

[harrymaneuvers]

So the IT guy at my work has a 2000 ford focus and two nights ago when he went to leave... he couldnt turn his key in the ignition.

After a little research it appears to be a very common.


The guy was especially unfortunate because no matter what we tried, we couldnt get the key to turn to the ACC position which is needed to remove the cylinder.

So he let me drill it out... and I did. It went pretty smooth all things considered. I took my time and it took about 1.5 hours to not only drill the tumbler, but to also remove the rest of the unit.

In that time, he had another co-worker go to a local locksmith who sells new tumblers and keys them for you. By the time i got everything out and cleaned up (metal shavings everywhere), he was back with the new tumbler.


It just slid/snapped right into place!

Blow some compressed air to clean things up and re-attached the top and bottom steering covers and we were done.


It was an interesting experience that I hope I never have to do on my car... Just thought I would share.

[Dead91silvia]

I lost a key for a customers car this week, but I took the complete ignition off the column and took it in to get a key made. Not the highlight of my week!

In all my years of mechanics, I have never drilled an ignition. I always pull the complete assembly and replace it. I think I tried it once, but didnt go well... haha

[Garrison]

I used to have this problem in my yamaha 600's. The quick fix, which is worth trying if you don't feel like purchasing a new lock cylinder, is to fit the straw of a wd-40 can into the key slot and spray amply into the cylinder. usually it will free up the mechanism considerably.

[harrymaneuvers]

Hahaha trust me... we did EVERYTHING before opting to drill out the cylinder.

WD-40, having him go get his spare key (in case the other key was worn), hitting the key on the end and turning at the same time (like lock bumping), literally everything you could think of.

[Garrison]

Oh wow. Yeah if that's the case then you did the right thing. Lock cylinders can be tricky things for sure.

[prodriver1]

pop the lock off and use a screw driver. I used to do that all the time :wink: