Is the key really supposed to open the door lock?

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Hi guys. Please excuse the stupid question, but I haven't had the X very long.

I can unlock the doors with the keypad or the remote, but they won't unlock with the key..... The key will unlock the rear hatch, but not the doors. Is this normal?

 

[AdamsGuitar]

No, that's not normal. In fact, I don't know of any Fords ever made that have different keys for the doors and ignition, but don't quote me on that. My first thought was that you'd had the ignition switch replaced, but since it opens the rear hatch, it sounds like you had the door lock tumbler replaced. Will it open the passenger side door? If so, that's what happened.

 

[Magicfan25]

I cant always open my driver side door with a key. I have the alarm that pops the locks for me. They locked my keys in my truck at a car wash and slim jimmed it. I never thought to try the locks, damnit. I knwo thats what did it

 

[irtySanchez]

^^^ What he said. If you aren't the original owner of the vehicle, someone has probably replaced one or multiple lock cylinders and/or the ignition tumbler.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I just went outside to double check. Neither door will open with either key that I have. Both keys will open the hatch. I see no evidence of body damage where the doors could have been changed.

I was thinking that maybe because it had the keypad on the door, the normal keylocks were inoperable? But then it dosen't make sense to have the key opening to a lock that dosen't work.....

I am very confused.....

 

[AdamsGuitar]

Either the two door locks have been replaced, or the ignition and hatch lock have been replaced (someone broke in the hatch and damaged the ignition...? That seems odd...). No explorer has ever come stock needing two different keys. Try unlocking the doors with the remote and see if you can LOCK them with the key. If you can't, then two locks had to have been replaced.

 

[Robert]

Another possibility is that someone was concerned with someone else stealing it and had the locks changed on the doors. They may not have thought about the hatch. The same key should open all of the doors, hatch and ignition. Either the ignition and hatch lock were replaced or the two door locks were replaced. Who knows why.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

OK Adam, I cycled the locks with the remote several times, and then tried the key. It now works! It was hard to turn the key the first time. I'll bet that I was the first to ever lock and unlock the doors with the key, since it has both a remote and keypad.

I am going to give them both a shot of WD-40.

Everyone, thanks for the help!

 

[Doug]

I have the same problem on my truck. Im pretty sure what the problem is that the tumblers need to be greased. My key doesnt work all that well in the doors but fine in the rear hatch. I hit the cylinders with some WD-40 and it helped free them up for a little while. I think i need to pull off the door panels and grease them properly.