Ignition Won't Turn

[larryryan]

I have a 98 Ranger XLT 4 dr, 166K on it. I have only had the chronic 'door ajar' problem, other than that I have had nothing but dependable service. Tonight I go tin the truck and the key would not turn, I made sure the wheel was pulled to relieve pressure on the column lock, the gear shift was locked in Park, foot on the brake, but the key simply would not turn. Thinking I may have accidentally damaged the key, I had my son bring a spare, same thing, Then all of a sudden, it released and the key turned fine. Mind you I tried for over 20 minutes. Any ideas???

[phantom_smack]

I would guess a tumbler got hung up,lubricate the cylinder and you might end up having to change it.If it gets hung again you can take a mallet and hit the end of the key straight in and this will most of the time release the cylinder

[Charlie]

My passenger side lock froze up on me like that, I put a little oil on the key, pushed it in and out several times, to get the oil in the cylinder, hasn't acted up again.