Newbie here. Help changing an ignition cylinder on a 1998 Explorer Sport

[mjd051961]

Help! I lost my keys (I know you can't help with that). I don't have a spare key. The locksmiths won't help and the dealer wants me to tow the vehicle to them. Can I just buy a new ignition cylinder? Does it have to have a transponder? Any advice is welcomed

 

[koda2000]

A '98 will be equipped with Ford's PATS (passive anti-theft system). Changing the lock cylinder will not allow your engine to start. The transponder is a separate part that goes around the lock cylinder and it reads the chip in your key and sends the chip code to the PCM for verification. W/out a key that your PCM recognizes you engine will not start, because the PCM will not enable the fuel injectors.

After changing your lock cylinder you will still need to get the new keys programmed into the PCM by a locksmith or the dealer.

Alternatives:
Find your lost key
Find your lost key and make/program an extra key
Send out your PCM and have PATS deactivated (not recommended, but possible)

 

[Macgiobuin]

Your best bet may be to go to a pull-it junkyard and get these from a similar donor car:
1. a key (better to get one with 2 keys,)
2. ignition cylinder, (easy to get out if you have the key)
3. pats module, (behind the passenger air bag)
4. powertrain control module (firewall passenger side)

The trick is to get a matching set of chip key(s), PATS module, and PCM. If your transciever (the ring around the ignition cylinder) was ever damaged, better to get that part, too.

The engine, transmission, and # of oxygen sensors (usually 4 for a '98 Explorer): ALL of these have to be the same as yours. So don't get a manual transmission PCM for an automatic tranny car or opposite. You may as well get the door lock cylinders while you're at it. Otherwise you go to a dealer, have your car towed to it and have them make a new key that matches your PATS module and PCM security codes for outrageous fees.
I got a set of these for my 2001 Exp Sport 3 years ago from a pull-it yard and it's still running great. I installed the chip from the PATS key in the steering column where it's read by the antitheft coil and I only use non-chip keys. So conceivably someone can pick the lock and start the car. I don't care. It took me 2 days to pick the original ignition cylinder lock just to pull it out and replace it with the junkyard one. My car isn't worth 2 days of a thief's time to pick 2 locks, or to slide-hammer the cylinders out; the theft light is still blinking like it's live.

 

[ThreeJs]

Looks like this lock cylinder carries the transponder for your vehicle. I believe it doesn't require reprogramming.
LockSmart Ignition Lock Cylinder Part #: LC63180

I had to replace a broken key in the ignition.
Pulled my response from another older thread::

"get under the dash and remove the ignition switch. I had to do this to my 96 when the ignition switch broke in the OFF position.
There were pics in my thread but Photobucket cut all hosted pics and I deleted the pics and closed my account.

Here's the basics:

First remove the lower trim panel and metal cover to
access the ignition switch and remove the 2 T40 Torx screws
to drop ignition switch away

This will expose the steering lock rod slide slot.
A greenish slide with a hole in it.
Use a tool in the hole to slide it down to the line in the aluminum housing.
This is in the RUN position

If you have a remote start option and access to some tools. You can unlock the steering with the slide and you can manually move the ignition switch to the RUN position and drive the vehicle."

Manually putting the steering lock slide in the "run" position will unlock the steering. You can now use the ignition switch with out a key. Push rod in switch forward to start.

 

[fastpakr]

As long as the cylinder comes with valid PATS keys, you can program them in yourself using FORSCAN and not have to work with a locksmith or dealer.