Steering and shifter locked, can't turn key

[joney]

Exactly like if I parked with the wheels turned sharply, BUT this is happening when just parked on flat asphalt with wheels straight. Sometimes can't even get the brake pedal to move if I press down. One relative thought it might have something to do with the neutral safety switch (mine was replaced late last year). I yank on the wheel, try to shift out of Park, nothing works and can't turn the key. Then after a while, it starts working again! Has happened twice this week (and never before). Another thing may be relevant, I haven't had a working reverse since the new year, when I shifted into reverse 20 sec. after starting my Ex in zero degree weather, when I heard a bang, and no reverse.

 

[C420sailor]

That bang may be a blown out reverse servo or, more likely, the band it actuates. Internal tranny damage. Highly doubt it’s related.

This is likely an issue in the steering column.

So the problem is you can’t get the ignition cylinder to turn at all? Key in, won’t rotate?

These ignition cylinders only last about 150k or so, before they start to wear out and get stiff…or in some cases wont rotate. You can get a motorcraft that you can “code” for your key pretty cheaply.

Mine is starting to give me issues, and it’s lasted about 150k since I last replaced it. Key in, won’t rotate…some white lithium grease and a little force will get it moving again for a while, but you can feel where it wants to hang up.

If you suspect the cylinder, replace it before it fails completely. Once that happens, replacing it gets much harder…

 

[429CJ-3X2]

2004 Sport Trac steering wheel locked up - SOLVED!

Wife parked the '04 ST in a level parking lot with the front wheels turned just slightly. When she tried to restart it, the wheel was locked and the key wouldn't turn. After I got there, I found the key would sometimes turn just a little - possibly not even to the 1st detente - and I was able to...

www.explorerforum.com

Might not be the same as your problem since it's happened more than once, and only 1 time for my truck. See the last 2 sentences in Post #6.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Trouble shifting out of park.

Greetings, I'm in need of some direction on diagnosing my 2004 Sport Trac 4x4 transmission issue? Intermittently my transmission does not easily shift from park, when this happens I can only get to shift by rocking my truck back n forth. When I park I keep the brake fully engaged, shift to...

sporttrac.org

 

[Turdle]

How to: - Ignition Lock broken, How to fix lock to use original keys

Well, just when things looked better, My wife went out to start Betty and the key just turns loose feeling. It did turn the truck "on" but fails to engage starter. Will not turn off. I had to disconnect the battery. It is as if someone had jacked the switch with a screwdriver. So, which...

www.explorerforum.com

Post 19 . Turn key to on. Find hole under column, push a rod up into hole to push detent ball, pull lock out

 

[joney]

Exactly like if I parked with the wheels turned sharply, BUT this is happening when just parked on flat asphalt with wheels straight. Sometimes can't even get the brake pedal to move if I press down. One relative thought it might have something to do with the neutral safety switch (mine was replaced late last year). I yank on the wheel, try to shift out of Park, nothing works and can't turn the key. Then after a while, it starts working again! Has happened twice this week (and never before). Another thing may be relevant, I haven't had a working reverse since the new year, when I shifted into reverse 20 sec. after starting my Ex in zero degree weather, when I heard a bang, and no reverse.

Solved! a man said, first thing, turn the key to ON. Then shift into N and start truck. It works!

 

[C420sailor]

So now it just won’t start in Park? Is that the issue?

 

[amj441]

Solved! a man said, first thing, turn the key to ON. Then shift into N and start truck. It works!

Sounds like the guy who replaced your park neutral safety switch didnt align it properly.

 

[C420sailor]

Could also be that the shifter isn’t fully going into park. Could be a loose shift shaft or the bushings may have walked out.