Reseat Ignition Cylinder

[Walakazoo]

Hey guys I'm in need of some help here.. I just bought a used Ford explorer XLT 2013. As I went to put the key in the cylinder just pushed in and dropped behind the molding. Does anyone know how to take the plastic molding off so I can get behind there and pop it back in place? I attached some photos. I feel like if I knew how to take the tan molding piece off I would be able to just pop it back onin place.

 

[Walakazoo]

So I figured out how to get the molding off and am able to contort my arm behind there and grab the cylinder. I am unable too see what I'm doing but it seems like there are some tabs that need to be pressed in and a specific way for it to go in. Has anyone ever done this before? I'm going to just keep trying blindly unless I notice someone replies. Wish me luck..

 

[blwnsmoke]

I'm sure others have taken the panel off but I have never read a thread on here where the ignition fell in.

Wish I could help.

 

[jmr061]

The circular plastic bezel that surrounds the ignition cylinder is supposed to pop out. Might give that a try so you can at least see the cylinder location better.

 

[Walakazoo]

Yeah I did pop it off but I just don't know how it looks back there to know how to insert it back in. It feels like it might go in a certain way and then twists to lock in place.

 

[jmr061]

The cylinder is supposed to be removed and installed from the front.

Your tan lower piece probably has a couple 7mm screws on the bottom lip then just snaps in with clips. May help to remove the instrument cluster bezel as well...lower the steering wheel, pop out the gap hider which is held in with 5 clips (that's the piece on top of the steering column, it hides the gap from the steering column to the cluster). Then pull the cluster bezel towards yourself and it will pop out, held in place with 4 clips....careful not to scratch your cluster lens. You will have to disconnect the humidity/temp sensor and don't forget to reconnect it when putting it back.

 

[Walakazoo]

So does this piece come apart some how to where I can bring it forward and snap back on?

 

[jmr061]

Shoot me a PM with your email and I'll send you a pic.

 

[Mlarv5]

You need to unplug the lock cylinder and replace it from the front. There are two keys from the picture you show to allow it to slide in then twist to lock it into place. If the electrical plug come though the hole then plug it in before inserting it. While you are there look around for cracks or anything that would have let it slip behind the bezel in the first place. If you don't you will be doing this again.

 

[Walakazoo]

Is that going to break my key programming?

 

[Walakazoo]

Just unplug the two plugs?

 

[jmr061]

Got your PM and replied with some info and then emailed you a couple pics.

 

[Walakazoo]

Some more pics if this helps anyone help me. Lol.

 

[Walakazoo]

Thank you everyone for the help. Jmr061 sent me a diagram picture that allowed me to line it up right (I was apparently trying to install it upside down the entire time) and I got it fixed.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Walakazoo.
Now the question remains, "Why did it fall out in the first place?"

Peter

 

[Walakazoo]

Yeah, no clue. Everything looked sound. The only scratches were from me trying to figure it out.

 

[teamroper60]

How did you get the ring on the front off? Does it just pry off? Twist off?

 

[Walakazoo]

The black plastic bezel around the cylinder just pulls out.

 

[teamroper60]

thanks!

 

[jeffbarr]

Thank you everyone for the help. Jmr061 sent me a diagram picture that allowed me to line it up right (I was apparently trying to install it upside down the entire time) and I got it fixed.

View attachment 157869

Thank you all for these posts. The exact same thing just happened to my wife's 2013 explorer. We have been looking for online information for days and just found this forum and joined this morning. Hopefully we can make the repairs. Unfortunately, the links provided in a few of the post not longer work.