Courtesy of Fred's Auto Repair Waco, Texas: Step by step directions on how to fix key ignition problems on a 2010 Ford Escape 3.5 Engine. (c) 2017, FRED'S AUTO REPAIR. (c) 2017, DR/PR AGENCY. All Rights Reserved.
Back after the repair to leave my comment and say thank you!! Wife’s escape did this starting delay for years and always bugged me about fixing it. This fixed the problem. Nice quick starts!! To remove the material in the cylinder, I used a 1/8 inch drill but almost as a mini reamer. Took total about 30 mins. Now time for her to repay the favor .....
Just did this today after spending 200$ on starter. 200$ on ignition housing 80$ on a new tumbler and 37$ on ignition switch… this was the solution I can’t return the parts I bought because I installed them but I’m just glad to have my backup car reliable again.
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!!!
This repair procedure worked perfectly and cost me nothing!!! It took about an 2 hrs to complete.. We struggled for a year getting the car to start and was getting worse and worse. It got to the point my wife couldn't get it started at all and that is not GOOD. I took it out and apart, I used a small 4mm endmill and ground the clearance per the video, reassembled, reinstalled. The past 7 months the car starts no problem at all. NO PUSHING IN THE KEY AND TWISTING TO THE POINT YOUR HAND/ WRIST HURTS! Wife is HAPPY. Thanks for the help!!!
Not much of a DIY driver myself, did a bit of troubledhooting in my Escape 2008, and after seeing this clip, decided to make a break to save me $$$. Took about 2h. To grind off the metal bump I used the tool my wife uses to trim our dogs nails. Worked an absolute treat! Cant stop thinking I did it all myself! Awesome tip! Well done Waco boys!!,.. Gerry/ Poland
Busted ass knuckles and header burns? I trust this dude. 100% serious and not facetious. Thank you for the video. This is what I get to do this weekend. =/
You sir are a genius I had to mess with my key for 20 minutes to start my car but I used your trick and had it back together in 45 minutes and it works flawlessly. Thank you so much for shareing this trick.
Guys...call a locksmith..this is at best,, a very very temporary fix.... the housing on the column is shot...!! that is why it requires key switch to turn farther to get results....
Great video! This saved me a ton of money. I've been struggling with my truck starting every now and then for about a year. But last week, after being stranded twice and two mechanics telling me how much it would cost and that they couldn't get to it for a couple of days, I researched the issue and I'm glad I came across your video. I decided to attempt your fix on my own. It took a couple of hours but my truck now starts with ease. At the 4:57 mark, removing that ring is not easy. I initially used an extremely thin flathead screwdriver then moved up to bigger sizes once I got it pried open enough. And in the end when placing that ring I used 8in Groove Joint Pliers to secure it as best I could. It took some time and the ring didn't look as smooth as before but I knew that part was going to be covered anyway. And at the 7:05 mark you pointed to one side of the lip to grind but at 8:08 you grinded the other side. I made sure that I grinded the same side you did and it works perfect. Genius!!! Thank you.
Thanks for posting this video. I looked at other videos for "solution" to this problem but many involved taking off practically half the steering wheel or buying new parts. Still, I had the gut feeling that your ignition hack may just work. And it did!!! I can't thank you enough.
I love this video . A family member called with an Escape ignition issue so I went over with a Dremel , a burr , a 5.5 mm socket and driver , and a Leartherman multi tool and had her up and running in 30 minutes , cementing my place as a mechanical genius . Thanks very kindly !!
I watched your video tutorial about 20 times, and this afternoon, I finally dug in and fixed my ignition problem. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience--and so clearly, too. I’ll be sure to pay your good deed forward. Best to you.
@@bobrich1950 Yes, my ignition is still firing up after all this time. And, no, it wasn’t hard to get the outer ring back on. I just secured the cylinder in a lightly squeezed clamp (as seen in the vid) and crimped the ring back with a flathead screwdriver and needle nose pliers. Good luck, Bob!
What a legend! I was late for work this morning trying to get the car started, and then waiting 30 minutes after work to get the car started to come home. In 2 hours I completed Fred's fix and car all put back together and good to go. Thanks Fred! Legend!
Great little trick. I filed the stop on the top of the cylinder as I didn’t have a dremel. It did the same thing as it allowed the key to turn further. Worked like a charm. The ring around the cylinder did take a while to remove.
God bless you for sharing your knowledge with us and posting this video. I have a 2008 Ford Escape that didn't start on morning. I was stressed a bit knowing I don't have the money to take it into a shop to have it fix by some professional. I've watched a handful of videos and gravitated to this video. It took me 3 hours of my time and 11 dollars for the bit to shave down the ignition. IT WORKS ON THE DIME!!!! THANK YOU FROM ALL MY HEART! LOVE AND ALOHA FROM HAWAII!
Thank you for this video, worked great. Some notes. In the 2008 Ford Escape I was working on removing the security ring was not necessary. The release pin was accessible with it on. The press fit retaining ring (4:57) was quite a bit more difficult to get off than in the video, took about 10 minutes to work off, could go faster if one wasn't worried about marring the metal. Main thing is to just slowly keep bending the edge more and more. I used a Dremel and had the most success with the Dremel 455 Chainsaw Sharpening Grinding Stone. I marked the maximum movement of the key, so I could see how much more I could twist the key. 7/32 socket worked since I didn't have a 5.5 mm.
So I had this same issue with my 2010 Ford Focus. It turns out that instead of cutting off part of the stop for the key cylinder, it's REALLY EASY to remove and replace the starter switch, which is the module where the harness plugs into on the opposite side of the steering wheel column from where the key goes in. And a new Motocraft (Ford OEM brand) starter switch from Autozone costs only $62 plus tax. With mine I didn't even need to replace the $62 starter switch (yet). All I did was open up the starter switch and clean out all the excess dielectric grease with a few Q-tips and then put it all back together. It was super easy and that has fixed the problem on my car.
You sir are an animal! Thank you very much. Easy fix, took me less than 40 minutes including cleanup. Works like a charm. No pushing or wiggling, all we do now is turn the key and it fires right up! Thank you again.
Wow. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, and at one point I started second-guessing myself and wishing I hadn't even tried in the first place, but your video helped me get the repair done. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this. Saved me hundreds of dollars and all it took was a few hours of labor. You are a blessing!
Thank you so much for posting this. I was skeptical at first not sure if this was going to solve my issue. I talked with a few people at work and they said it makes sense. After reading all of the comments I decided this would work. Not bad of a job, had a hard time getting the cylinder back in when I was done. It did the trick, thanks again for posting this!!!!! You are the man!!!!!!!!
Sir, I’m a fellow Texan and Mechanic from way back who’s not afraid to take on anything and this was pure genius. My daughters 2008 ford Escape had this problem for years and she actually developed a rather strong right arm having to push the key in while turning the key, but I came across this vid and thought I would give it a try. I just bought a carbide tip like you had and just used a regular drill. Took about an hr. And all is good. Thanks so much for putting this video together you guys did an amazing job and I’m very thankful. Have a great holiday.
Great RU-vid!!! My sons Escape was having this same issue, so my friend and I took it apart and we did exactly what your video suggest, and it worked!!! I was so faithful for this to be the answer, and sure enough!! Thank you for taking the time to figure this out!
Thanks so much for the post. Ive been dealing with this for about a year now on my escape. I replaced the ignition module about a year ago but never seemed to operate properly after and a few days ago just would not work at all. I purchased a ignition lock cylinder and remembered your video from my previous you tube search prior to replacing the cylinder and took your advice prior to cylinder replacement, works great after the modification. Thanks again.
My 2009 Mazda Tribute (same as a Ford Escape) had the same problem. I replaced the ignition switch to no avail. Found this video and followed instructions. 1:45 and all done, works perfectly. Getting that crimped ring off was the worst part, as other have mentioned- about 45 minutes of constant prying with a micro flat head screwdriver- quite tedious as, obviously, the factory never intended that part to be removed. I used a Dremel with a tiny grinding bit instead of the air powered grinder in the video. SO HAPPY FOR THIS VIDEO. A fantastic contribution. Thank you!!!
Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video. My niece's 2009 Ford Escape been having this issue for a long time, and I couldn't figure it out until now. All I've been telling her is to just turn the key a little bit harder to get it started -- now I know where the problem is at... thanks a bunch for sharing this with everyone.
I had this issue with a 2008 Ford Escape. I followed the video and it worked like charm. Took me about an hour. I was worried I would mess it up initially. Turned out to be easy solution. Thank you for the help.
I needed to push the key very hard many times to start my 2008 Escape Hybrid, it was getting to the point that I would need to try to start the car over ten try's and then take a break and try again. I used a Drummel tool to remove the slot just like they showed in the video and now the Escape starts by just turning the key every time. Thanks for posting this amazing video.
Thanks for the video the ring was hard to get off took about an hour ground down the stop with a dremmel tool did it all at the kitchen table worked great.
Your remedy for this faulty ignition problem worked flawlessly! My buddy's 08 Escape was intermittently being a pain to start, until a few days ago, it left him stranded at his job. I started searching you tube for answers, and found your channel. Within 2 minutes of getting the bottom cover off, I had the car running. I drive it home, took the ignition key lock out, followed your instructions and within 40 minutes I had it all back together and it starts every time now. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the public. I'm sure that this saved him many hundreds of dollars, including if it needed to be towed to the ford dealer!
You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks for taking the time to post this. You've saved myself and tons of other people thousands of dollars. If I lived in Texas I'd buy you a beer.
I haven't had this problem yet but after researching it I feel like I will. I saved this video and will use it when necessary. Thank you so much for great details and for not just rambling on like so many other youtubers do.
Thank you so much as well! As many here i replaced the switch then when it did not do the trick anymore i found your video about making key run longer so it could engage the switch while turning and starting the car! worked beautifully. I actually filed it down about 1/8" and it was enough for me!!! You are the man!!!!!!!
Hey Fred......YOU ROCK!!!! I can’t thank you enough. If ever around my way, I’ll treat ya to the best bbq, EVER!!! Thank you very much for sharing this mod. This was my daughter in laws car and my son asked “did you do that trick you showed me on RU-vid?” I said, “son, knowledge isn’t a trick”!! Thanks again buddy!!
This is probably the best video I have seen compare to others where they encourage you to buy the whole system. This cuts corners to the simple solution and I am greatful and so far so good. Thanks to Fred's Auto Waco.
I did this exact fix to my daughter's 2009 Escape this evening. I used a dremel for the ignition modification. It literally took less than 30 minutes start to finish and worked perfectly. I appreciate this video and you guys for creating it. My daughter has been fumbling around with the key and getting this started for the last two years and I had just had it. As I said above, this worked perfect and was easy. Thanks guys.
Must admit I was incredibly dubious about this technique. 40 minutes from start to finish later and all doubts were gone. Our non-starting Mazda Tribute now cranks with a simple twist like new every time. Thank you so much for posting this very helpful video!
I never comment on anything on RU-vid. I was having the same problem with my wife’s 2009 escape and went down the RU-vid wormhole and seen this video. One of if not the only video that doesn’t require any type of cost for this type of fix. Good on you guys. Need more mechanics like you. Did exactly what you did in the video, now it cranks like new. Can’t thank you enough for making this video.
Like some people I thought I was gonna snap a key here lately.... trying to convince the car to start.... did this whole process took me like 30 minutes..... car cranked right up no excessive force or pushing/pulling/wishing required. Thank you sir!
Thanks for the easy to follow instructions. Just repaired my brothers wife’s Escape, in about an hour and a half including a trip to Home Depot for Dremil tool. Money saved ✅
I used your video, It worked great!!! My wife is very happy with her working car and I am happy because of zero cost!! Wow, we are both happy at the same time!
Had replaced just the switch on the left 6 months ago. Started acting up again. Ran across this video while researching taking the whole column apart to replace the rest of the assembly. This fix literally took less than 30 minutes and worked like a charm. I am a hero now. Thank you sir.
Amazing! Thank you SO much. Took less than an hour, no parts just my time. Was quoted $500 just for parts! Absolute genius fix, so easy. Cant thank you enough....
Thank you very much! My recently widowed Mother couldn't afford to pay for the repair. I followed your instructions and it now works perfectly. If you open a shop in Minnesota, you will have a customer!
You are the man!!! Followed your video after my daughter spent 1,000 dollars on prior repairs for the same issue and it started right up. I only spent 10.00 dollars in a dremmel bit. Thank you my friend.
Cant thank you enough. Just fixed my husbands truck in about an hour. It has been parked for a week not cranking. Thank you sooo much! My husband is in for a big surprise when he gets home. I see an all expenses paid spa day in my future.
This was a very helpful video and it solved my issue. I had been pressing the key in to start my escape after a while(2years) it just stopped, and I did just what you said and it worked. I just what to say thank you very much.
Thanks to your video, I fixed a friends 2008 escape with this exact repair this morning. Thanks for posting this. Lots of details that I was able to bring just the right tools.
I’ve had intermittent problems with it for years, finally stopped working completely. This fixed it. 2009 escape, not one of the Vins included in the recall for this exact issue. Thank you so much!
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 wanted to tell you how brilliant you are and to thank you for sharing this video. I have had trouble for more than a year cranking, jiggling, getting up on top of it to the point my little hand was screaming at me... so, I went and bought the part just in case. The next morning I started my project. Pin hole on my 2010 was on top but I could never pull it out, had it in run position, etc but very hard to pull out said my mechanic. Anyway, put it somewhat back together and took it too him. I told him to first try the shaving down fabrication and it worked like a charm. He charged me $56.00, I gave him a 10.00 tip and took my 70 dollar part back. I think I love you. Rosa I can now start it with 2 little fingers from the other side of the room.
Great video indeed! Followed the instructions and everything went as seen in the video. Hardest part was getting the cap that's machined pressed onto the housing off to get to the inside of the switch. All it cost me was getting a $10 Dremel cutting tool. Great fix! Thanks for putting out a great video!
Thank you!!!! Worked great....about an hour (taking crimp off was hardest). Now I have my car back to go to work. We would have had to save for some time to pay to have this done. Fantastic!!
My '09 Escape had the same issue. I changed the switch 2 years ago, and the problem returned. After using this fix, I'm confident it's fixed for good!!
Thank you! Great directions and video. I had an appointment for Friday and now I can cancel. I used a Dremel with grinding bit. The ring was the challenge. Using a small curved chisel worked nice to work it around the crimp.
Im totally amazed how well that went .. Thank you for the video . It took longer to get the ring off the key then anything else.. But i used a 1/8 drill bit as well instead of a grinder. It starts every time now thank you very much.. I would put you in my will but Im sure you dont need a kat lol
Thanks for the wonderful video easily instructed. It took me a total of 45 minutes and then I'm a hero in the wife's eyes because the callus on her finger will finally go away! Thanks again you guys rock!
Thanks Fred for your great video. Followed your instructions and only difficulty was removing the key cap which was crimped very tight ,took about an hour to remove, perhaps cutting part of it off with a hack saw would work?. Used a dremel to take a quarter of an inch off and then installed key ignition back in slot. Worked very well - now the 2010 ford Escape is easy to start. You should be very proud that you have helped so many people.
Great modification for this poorly designed ignition switch system! Like others on here I had replaced the ignition switch a few months back and the problem came back quickly. I was thinking about doing the housing and all the rest when I ran across this video. Less than two hours later and it starts perfectly. The hardest part of the job is getting the metal ring off and then getting it back into place snugly. Just takes some patience.
Just wanted to say thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!! Had this issue with my 2010 Ford Focus... followed your video and boom!!! the car now starts like a dream. You have made our Christmas.... (:-D
So good of you to show this fix. I know that it takes extra effort and time to video this fix. You deserve many kudos for helping out people that you don't even know. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!
Sir! I just tried it! It took me hours because we didn't have the proper tools. The drilling was done with an electric nail filer but it did the trick. Thank you so much. 💓
My 2008 AWD Ford Escape Hybrid has the same issue. After watching this video I removed the key cylinder from the housing and removed enough from the inside of the housing for the key to turn about 20 degrees more. Moreover, once this cylinder is removed, you can troubleshoot if this issue is your problem by inserting the key cylinder without the housing to connect with the inner slot while having the key reader in place, if you can crack the vehicle with no problem then your issue is the same as this video goes over. Just to note, I used a Dremel with a tungsten carbide bit to remove the metal inside the key housing. No issues grinding and smooth grind finish. After reinstalling the key lock, easy crank every time!
Out of all the videos on you tube the one i never thought would work was yours. But i tried everything and i figured I had nothing to lose.. I was amazed to how well this worked Its the greatest fix ive ever seen nd thank you for that.
Thank you so much for the very detailed video. I agree with others that you are THE MAN! I used a Dremel to notch out the needed metal. The repair worked perfectly. Thank you so much for taking the time to share.
Thank you so very much!!! My husband was skeptical but like I told him we can try it and if it doesn't work we will already have it apart to put a new one in. I had hurt my arm and thumb tryin to crank it but it just wasn't cranking any more. I watched your video and stepped them through it. It worked great!! Thank you sooo very much!!
Waco guy, you are a gentleman and a scholar, this worked great for my 2010 Escape! It took about 3 hours, worst part was trying to pry off the trim ring that holds all of the innards together. But once I made it past that, a Dremel tool with a carving bit cut right into the pot metal. I crimped on the trim ring gently in case the issue comes up again. Now it starts every time and I'm not sweating when I try to leave for work and the truck won't start.
Well, after putting this repair off for several months, with the ignition taking longer and longer to engage, my 2008 Escape finally wouldn't start this morning when taking my daughter out for breakfast. An hour later, following these instructions and using a dremel and a drill bit to grind, the car starts on each and every turn of the key, and we were on our way to the restaurant!! The hardest part, as others have noted, was getting the retaining ring off. Can't thank you enough for posting this video!!!! Got any tricks for replacing an alternator on a 2010 Mini Cooper, my next project, lol.
Mr Waco! I want to thank you very very much for your tutorial on the Ford ignition. I kept telling my husband that he needs to buy a new ignition switch and a new ignition lock housing for my Ford Escape that I viewed on another video. He said, “Waaaiiit!!!” He said Mr. Waco has a better idea on fixing the ignition problem. Of course I did not believe my husband until I saw your video and read your reviews. My husband grinded the inner ignition housing as you mentioned. After he re-installed the ignition he then turned the ignition switch and my suv started right up. He turned the key several times to make sure engine would start. I cooked my husband a rib-eye steak for fixing my Ford Escape. Again, I thank you Mr Waco!
Worked as promised! Thanks for sharing this with us! Didn't have a grinding bit for my dremel tool. But I found a broken stub of 1/8 drill bit in my drill box that had a 1/4 inch long twist left on it. Was an adequate replacement for this application.
Thank you so much! Shop quoted my wife $350 today. Took me an hour after watching this video. FYI to anybody watching, prying that metal ring off sucks. I have a 2008 Escape and this worked. Used a dremel with the same bit as this video.
