How to Replace the Ignition Cylinder in a 1999-2007 Ford Focus 

10 yrs later, still a great video. you make it look so easy, thank you.

Thank you for the great tutorial. I bought the part from FORD and saved several hundred dollars by installing it myself. I have very little mechanical ability but your instruction walked me right through the process, and the car started right up. Godspeed!

This video has been viewed over 26,000 times... That's alot of broken ignition cylinders lol but thanks for the video. I JUST fixed mine. I never thought I'd be so happy to turn a key!

Thanks for the video! Ordered the Motorcraft/Ford part at Amazon (Only about $65!) and had it keyed and swapped into my 2002 Focus in about an hour. I never would have tried with without a video, and yours was the best I found. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!

You did a great job with the video I just finished up the wife's cylinder was a breeze after watching your tutorial. Mad props and thanks a ton!

Great video! My dad & I were struggling with this switch removal & replacement today. Revamping an old 2004 Focus - your instructions worked perfectly!

Thank you!!! I didn't know about the 'build' kit until I watched your video and thank GAWD I didn't attempt the other way first. I'm ready for the part to come in so I can hurry up and start this before it locks up completely! Anyway, if anyone is interested I found this kit on RockAuto for $43

Super job my friend ,you nailed it. You made my job much easier,Lester

Having the same problem in my svt. I knew you could do this so I just laughed when the dealer told me it would be $400 lol thanks for the great info my man

Nice and simple video, thanks, helped my fix my daughter's car.

holy fuk man thanxx a million, saved me hundreds of dollars bye watching ur vid, so stoked wish it was this easy to figure out ford problems all the time cheers!!!

Awesome video @6speeddakota I'm about to embark on this fix...fingers crossed.

Well done! I have a 2003..and with only 54k on it, had to have the ignition switch replaced. I wonder if they should have had a general recall for that problem....

this is a common problem with Focus. (mainly 2000-2003) There has been a tech bulletin but no recall. If ignition doesn't turn, can usually be forced by cutting the head off of a key (best to copy key on H75 blank as to not ruin an expensive transponder key). insert blade of the cut key into the ignition cylinder, insert a large flat screwdriver in behind it, and tap, force, and manipulate until cylinder turns into on position. As a locksmith, I get calls almost weekly for this very problem.

Thanks this tutorial helped alot for my Ford Focus!

hey thanks im from brownsville tx it really help me out fix my daughters 2003ford focus about the recall i dont really think so thanks again

Great tutorial. Do you think this will also work on a 2009 Ford Focus?

is the igniton cylinder the same as the one in the car? or the strattec one I keep seeing everyone talk about? also does that manuel come with it

just wanted to say thanks. the vid all most made me sea sick but for first vid not bad. it has great info and now i will do this to my car

Quick question (which may be stupid...)? Why not take out the broken ignition cylinder first and match the tumblers numbers from the old one? In lieu of attempting to figure out the tumbler sequence before hand.

PLEASE HELP! I bought a lock smart ignition cylinder and it says on the manual that it must be programmed in order for it to work. I had planned on replacing the piece myself but i do not have the tool to program it. Any suggestions on what brand/company to buy the piece from.

Great job young man!! God Bless....

How much did that kit cost ya from FORD and couldn't you take apart the cylinder that Proctic51 purchased, and re-key the tumbler with the original key just like ya showed us in the video? Great video by way.

Thanks. I have the cylinder out and have taken out the wafers. The cylinder moves back and forth freely. I put a new ignition switch on it too. Don't know what else to try but maybe another cylinder.??

I'm replacing my cylinder on my 2004 ford focus got to the retainer pin and the cylinder wont release, Iv even hit a screw driver with a hammer to try and get the pin to release the cylinder. Would you have any clue on what else I could try?

99% of the time, that works. If not, it may be drilled, but be careful as it is very easy to damage the steering column and ignition cylinder housing with little experience and a drill

Just happened to my 2003 wd-40 helped to get me home but will be buying one tomorrow!

Our key would not turn in our 2003 ford focus. We had a key cut at the hardware store. Put graphite in the slot, inserted the key and tapped with a hammer while trying to turn. It turned after a few minutes. The ignition lock could be removed once it turned to the auxillary position. We brought the lock cylinder into the house and removed the tumblers and locking pin and reinstalled it in the car. It was the weekend and no parts were available. Got my car up and running for $2. Only thing is, remember to remove the steering wheel shroud before trying to turn they key, because you cant remove it with the key inserted. Down side is you can pull the key out while the key is running. Still takes a transponder to start the car, but anything will turn it.

Ok great way to explain it I have a good idea where my mechanic went wrong how ever he was telling me that after replacing the cylinder the key would slide right out and that’s not supposed to be happening !!

Thank u thank u. Our car ignition thingy is currently jammed stuck n wouldnt turn. n my husband n I watched this just now. And while we were trying to get car started our key broke in half.. But it didnt break in side the ignition like a lot of other peoples situarions... Anyhow we are considering getting a new cylinder and stuff for our 2001 ford

awesome job well done .worked like a charm

did you have that hole drilled before all that? I've heard you had to have that drilled

I have a 2007 Focus. If I go to the Junk yard and get a lockcylinder out of a car that has keys can I install it into my vehicle?

What if you can't turn the key at all? Do you know a way to replcae it without being able to turn the key to accessory position?

Can u guys tell me why my 2000 still chimes when the key is taken out of the cylinder? Is there a switch on the end of the column that has something to do with turning the accessory mode on or off?

so how do u know how to line it up to match your key or does it come with new keys

I assembled my new tumbler and the key turtned perfectly. I put the retaining clip on correctly. I lined up the tumbler and stuck it in the ignition and now the key is stuck inside and I can only turn the car to the ACC position. I'm afraid I lined the assembly up incorrectly in the ignition and now it won't come out.

Can you send me the link to the website you bought it off of?

Is it possible to get the cylinder out without using the key?

we are having problem,,when you turn key in the ignition,, it blows the 30 amp fuse in fusebox that controls headlights ,windshield wipers an car wont start could there be a short in it

Why did you opt to buy it for the Dealer instead of getting a different brand. Were you aware that this is a known problem with Fords......just curious. Has it locked up since you replaced it?

Fantastic instructional vid. Thanks for posting.

I lost my key or how much will it cost for the Ignition cylinder

Do you have to have the keys programmed to the car?

I see now.. when I first watched I was in such disguste with my car half attentive. . thank u so much.. was that u purchased from Ford expensive?

If you change the cilinder for a new one so you have to code thw keys anyways???

ok new ignition worked for a few days and tryed a new one but put it in wrong? its stuck now rrrg? help

How do I turn my wheel if the key wont turn at all in the ignition?

But man i did try this and the wheel is locked like you say put you wheel in 90 degres but i cant because is locked so what i do?

Thanks, great job. Real helpful.. Augusta Ga.

I am in the process of wanting to install the None USA/CANADA lock into my car witch resembles the Jaguar key

How can you use your original key when it has a chip in it?

I like that, the car won't start without the key anyway because of the chip in the key. So why would you even need the tumblers anymore?

on my 2008 ford fusion i had to drill out the botton that releases the egnition and bought a new key cylinder like his but mine was a little different and it works the same way they all have alitter release button

Thanks for the tutorial but the mechanism as a whole is screwed and the simplest way to fix it is to grind down the part of the cylinder that retracts when the key is inserted. Pull the ignition switch, remove the locking cylinder and grind or file the protrusion that is retracted when the key is inserted. Once that has been done anything stuck in the ignition switch will turn the key ... but it's the transponder that is required to complete the ignition process. The key will turn with a pin knife but the engine won't start it without the transponder. Save the money you'd spend for the key cylinder and take the wife out for a ride. 3:)

What if two differrwnt wafers fit in the tumbler what do I do then

how did you bypass the PATS system

what do you do if you cant even turn the key 1st place?

Any idea as to how to remove Tumblr without key key is lost I accidentally flushed it down the toilet

they is a short in the car somewhere depending on the year but it isn't going to be a short in what he just replaced there is not wires in that. need to look around for a bad whire under your dash with a flashlight if not look under hood. if still no success machanic cause if it consist it might burn your car up.

Great video!! Well done...

Thankyou, This was very helpfull!

Like a charm. 'F' Ford and their service costs. Advanced Auto and some of my own time where I would've been watching TV gets things done cheaper. Especially if you're just replacing the cylinder, use the same programmed keys... Thanks for the tutorial.

Can I use a used one

Yesterday I bought food for my cat and today my key just doesn't go in. I have a Focus 2001 and I work everyday, I need help with this. I try to insert the key but it stops when after middle of it.

How find the actual key code?

Great video. Thanks!

great vid but my ford fuckus completely locked up and the key wont turn :( guess i gotta drill it out

Where u based to

Thanks very much!

beatiful thanks boddy

good job

❤

Ugg all those lock tumblers and modern BS I love the older cars from the 90's you just take the steering wheel off and slap another ignition lock in them.

I am here from orcodstra

Wanna buy our ford focus?

@orCODstra I watched this whole thing cause of you idk why I don't even have a car???!!! WTF

Haha fan boy

Just happened to my 2003 wd-40 helped to get me home but will be buying one tomorrow!

Just happened to my 2003 wd-40 helped to get me home but will be buying one tomorrow!

Just happened to my 2003 wd-40 helped to get me home but will be buying one tomorrow!