Ignition key cylinder comes out

[gmhayes]

I am relatively new here and am enjoying the wealth of information. I recently acquired a 2002 mountaineer after an unfortunate accident with a great 2000 mountaineer that I only had for a year. This week my wife went to get out of the truck and the key cylinder came out with the key. Needless to say, she was not happy! I went the next morning to assess the situation and figured out that if i lined up the 2 "tabs" on the cylinder, I could stick it back in and act like nothing happened. BUT, the cylinder will come out if pulled when the key is in the middle position. Is there something that is supposed to hold it in?

 

[xlt03]

I had same problem. Solution was to replace the cylinder. Take existing cylinder and key to locksmith along with new cylinder for rekeying. Put new cylinder into column. Does not required going to dealer except to buying cylinder.

 

[gmhayes]

Thanks for the reply. Do I replace just the part that came out, or that and the part that stays in the steering column?

 

[xlt03]

Just the lock/key cylinder. Don't forget to have it rekey so the door and ignition are the same.