Can you please direct me to any threads that would explain the repair of the ignition key not rotating in the ignition to unlock the steering column and to start the engine? Happens only every now and then, and usually can unhang it by jiggling the key in the ignition while also juggling the steering wheel back and forth. Then you can turn the key and start the engine. Any part drawings that show which part(s) I need to buy? Any recalls/TSBs or references to the repair of this in the factory shop manual?Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

First thing to do would be to include the year of the Ranger, lol, also engine size, it can matter, even for keys

Generally what you should do first is to remove the key cylinder to see if it is the problem
Short Video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfmWOjTaUTc

At the end of the key cylinder you can see the square shaft, that is what turns the gear inside that unlocks the steering wheel and slides the bar to move ignition switch into its 4 positions, ACC OFF RUN START
So use similar size tool to rotate the square hole inside the now empty key slot

If it turns easily and unlocks steering wheel easily then the key cylinder itself is the problem, you can get a new one and have it re-keyed to match current key or use the keys that come with it

If it doesn't turn easily, so same issue as using the key, then problem is actuator rod assembly, steering wheel will need to come off and steering column will need to be lowered to replace the gear and rod mechanism

This is for Ford F-150 but same as Ranger: http://www.fordf150.net/articles/idx...9703-F150.html

 

Thank you! I appreciate your investment of your time in my predicament. That is work that I think I can do. I'll give it a try and with luck this will solve the issue. Have a great weekend!

 

Ron, Funny...the YouTube link you supplied was to a vid that I had googled and watched not three minutes before checking back on this thread! Seems pretty straight forward to me. The key is an programmed anti-theft key. Any special precautions I should take regarding this?

 

Still don't know the year????

Some years are different

But no to PATS being an issue if you don't need to change keys, if you do then you need to have new key added to computer(PATS) memory
Or re-key new lock cylinder for current keys

 

It is a 2007 4x2, 3.0 V6 with auto trans.

 

hello and thanks for allowing me into the forum . I have a 2001 ford ranger xtl 3.0 2wd 4 doors and last time i noticed that the key of the truck was acting up. so I decided to go to oreillys and get a new switch . I replaced it and they key turn and car wont start. then I put the old cylinder and the truck started . then I said I am going to get a cylinder switch oem that I saw on e bay. I replaced it and the same thing key turn but car wont start . does anyone know what should I do?

Thanks and have a Blessed day!!!

 

Welcome to the forum

So you are replacing the Key cylinder not the ignition SWITCH.

New key cylinder will come with new keys, and your PATS-anti-theft system won't accept those new keys until they are added to the system.

There is an antenna around the key cylinder that picks up an RFID tag number from the key used, when key is turned on.
Computer will have 3 or 4 key numbers in its memory, these were the keys the Ranger came with when new, computer compares the numbers and if there is NO MATCH then there will be NO START.
This prevents a thief from breaking the lock and starting the engine.

A lock smith can often Re-Key the new cylinder so you can use your OLD keys that the computer will recognize
Or a lock smith with Ford Software can add the NEW keys to your PATS memory so they will work to start the engine