Lock Cylinders

[Mike_B]

98 Ford Contour GL. Are the lock cylinders in the front doors and the trunk interchangeable. Bought a used Contour and aftermarket keys that came with it will not open the trunk or passenger door. Will open the drivers door and start the car but will not lock the drivers door. (should I be able to lock the doors with a key or just using the lock/unlock button inside?)

Thanks
Mike B

[mark v]

I dont think they are interchangeable.

You should be able to lock and unlock the door with the key.

[Hillbilly]

Trunk and door locks are not interchangeable. The ignition key should work all locks unless the ignition has been changed or the car has been wrecked. Since you have aftermarket keys, my first suspicion would be a miscut key. Ford OEM lock grease is notorious for hardening into industrial strength concrete if the key is not used in the cylinder occasionally, so that is something to look at on the passenger side and trunk. Since the car is a '98, the dealer can't help you with the key. An automotive locksmith can correct the problem either way. The key is a chip key, so this is not a DIY.

[Mike_B]

Thanks for the information.

Neither of the aftermarket keys I have are "chip keys" and they both start the car and open the drivers door.

I'm going to try removing the cylinder, one at a time, and soaking them in lacqure thinner to clean them out to see if the keys will then work. Will re-lub and reassemble it they do

Mike B

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Trunk and door locks are not interchangeable. The ignition key should work all locks unless the ignition has been changed or the car has been wrecked. Since you have aftermarket keys, my first suspicion would be a miscut key. Ford OEM lock grease is notorious for hardening into industrial strength concrete if the key is not used in the cylinder occasionally, so that is something to look at on the passenger side and trunk. Since the car is a '98, the dealer can't help you with the key. An automotive locksmith can correct the problem either way. The key is a chip key, so this is not a DIY.

[mark v]

Ahh thinner.... A good way to melt plastic. Make sure you leave no plastic on them.

[Hillbilly]

While you have them out, insert the key and look thru the weep hole to make sure all the tumblers are lining up evenly and moving freely. A miscut key will have one or more tumblers too high or too low. Be a good time to take a lock to the lockshop and get a new key to code if that is the case.

[Mike_B]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

While you have them out, insert the key and look thru the weep hole to make sure all the tumblers are lining up evenly and moving freely. A miscut key will have one or more tumblers too high or too low. Be a good time to take a lock to the lockshop and get a new key to code if that is the case.

Removed the drivers side lock, not too dirty. But one tumbler was too high. Had been forced to work in the open direction. Filed the high spot off of the key, now works in all locks.

Mike B