Sticky ignition lock
Q My vehicle is a 2007 Ford C-MAX 1.6 petrol with 86,000 miles. A few times recently I have had to jiggle the key in the ignition to get it to turn. I have oiled the switch and it works smoothly, but I'm worried that this may only be a temporary repair. I use the key to unlock the doors as the remote does not work. If I have to change the switch, I don’t mind having two keys for the vehicle – one for the ignition and one for the door. What should I do? P O’hare
A A worn key can often cause as many problems as a worn lock. For this reason it may be advisable to first replace the key and then see how the lock feels. If you get an auto locksmith to supply a replacement key, he may also solve the remote locking problem.
Another point to consider is that the problem may not be the lock and barrel, but the ignition switch itself. To test this, you would need to strip off the steering cowling and remove the ignition switch, but as lubricating the lock has eased the problem, this may not be relevant.
The ignition barrel can be removed from the steering lock assembly. To do this, the key needs to be in the lock and in position 'I' (accessory position). You will then find a small locking tang in the body of the lock which needs to be pushed in, in order to then pull the ignition barrel out using the key. If you then fit a secondhand key and barrel, you’ll also need to have the replacement key programmed to disarm the immobiliser system.