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I've got a 2000 model Escape. The key is hard to turn, especially into the engine crank position (need pliers). So I took out the barrel and realised the key turns like butter and after sticking pliers in to the back of the hole the barrel came out of and tested how hard it was to turn the cam, I realised the cam is hard to turn. I'm wondering if it's the cam itself or maybe the switch. I think the cam physically moves things in the switch and so it could be either that needs lubricating. A few hours ago I sprayed a heap of lubricant and canned air at the same time through tiny holes that are in the back of the barrel hole. It hasn't freed it up yet. I'll give it a few more sprays over the next few days and if it doesn't free it up I guess it's either a new switch or a whole new assembly. It looks like it's going to be a royal pain to undo the headless bolts if I have to replace the whole assembly.
Awesome, I hope I never have that problem but if I do I’ll definitely fix it myself… My mom just gave me her Escape limited 3.0 4wd last week… I’ve noticed the key seems like a struggle to get in the ignition tumbler but I’m not real sure what’s causing that to happen… I’ve figured out it’s easier to get the tip of the key in the hole and jiggle it a little and it’ll go right in… idk, it’s kinda weird, like something’s out of alignment or something… That sounded all kinds of wrong but that’s the best way I could describe it…😂😭
Man thank you so much for this , you literally saved me a lot of money my job and just made my life easier in general I appreciate you man keep doing what you doing 👏🏽🗣
Thank you so much!! Your video was right on point! Your entire description of steps was perfect except how to get that little cover off the key cylinder. lol. Saved me thousands!
I did this but two of the spark plug wires refuse to go back in all the way. The non-coil ones. The rubber doesnt touch the valve cover and there's a significant gap. What am I doing wrong? The spark plugs are bolted in nicely and they are the same length as the old ones. Despite this the car seems to run just fine.
So I'm about 2-3 hours in and still can't get the cap off, it is not as easy as he makes it look. I'm sure the hack works fine but I can't do it if the cap refuses to come off
It seems to me that it might be easier to file on the keyway front plate instead of travel stop inside the sleeve. Just make sure you file the leading edge that hits the travel stop on the sleave for clockwise turning.
Another video the person put tape around the D-shaped tail piece of the tumbler (that mates into ignition sleave) to take up the slack such that the key core rotation would go far enough to engage the starter switch. Apparently the tail piece is made of pot metal that wears out over time and so the tape or this method restores the rotational travel to engage to starter switch. This method will probably last longer than tape but is harder because you have to uncrimp the keyway dust cover.
Thank you so much for posting this because it saved me a lot of money and give me a lot of guidance. thank you so much for your time and efforts to do this
Phyllis, I see this all the time and he's RU-vid videos everybody says disconnect the negative cable but they don't say disconnect the positive cables. The positive cable runs directly to the starter. Therefore if you do not disconnect it from the battery when it is disconnected from the starter anything connected to the truck that touches the positive cable will create a large ark. Possibly damaging electronics because of running positive charge through the grounding system. First disconnect the negative then disconnect positive in that order always. Just like when replacing an alternator you must also disconnect the positive cable to avoid creating a dead short directly from the battery. Which can damage much of the electronics electrical components electrical components electrical components. Or start a fire. Good luck in the future
I literally just drove my 2008 escape to work and when I parker and shut it off it wouldn't let me pull the key out and it won't start back up. Will this video help with that?
BEST video for this fix that I could find! All of the others I saw had me pulling off the steering wheel and replacing the whole ignition lock module (more time and an additional $75 purchase). Followed this guy's instructions and the problem was solved with ZERO dollars spent! Thank you!!!
Hopefully, next time they make a video, the guy stops looking into the camera the entire time, like he's performing sx and asking if im okay every 2 minutes 😂 like, are YOU okay?
Thank you! This looks like exactly what I need to do. The switch on the left side is good and I can start it using a screwdriver in the switch, but there is enough lash in the shaft and linkage that the key won't start it. I'll take the key side assembly apart and do what you did here, probably with a dremel tool and small bits. Thanks again.
🎉 thank you so much!!! I have a 08 escape that has been hard to start for years and it finally half way left me and my family stranded yesterday! So this morning I watched your video did the work(about a hour) and VOILA! Started amazing now! Life saving video lol
Wow, this worked like a charm and it only took me a couple of hours! My 2007 Escape Hybrid was getting harder to start every day until one day it just wouldn’t turn on. I was able to do this with a 6mm socket wrench, utility knife and a few screwdrivers. Pulling off the ring took the longest but I just kept at it with a small gauge flat screwdriver. Instead of the power grinder I just used the sharp blade of some metal sheers to grind back that groove by hand. I only shaved off a few millimeters but it made a big difference and the car starts easily again. Probably saved me several hundred 💸. Thanks!
I was skeptical of this video because he had clearly pulled the screws out for removing the trim pieces but it made perfect sense. I read several comments as well and people kept talking about how thankful they were to find this video. I followed it and instantly everything worked perfect. Really easy to do and glad to no longer fight to get the car started.