Key stuck in the 85 F150

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Key stuck in the 85 F150

jstone4646
Cleaned up the 85 everything was fine, had it running for 20-30 minutes or so just to get her warmed up and ensure cooling was good, let the battery charge, etc....went to pull out the key and it's stuck like Chuck.  Won't budge at all.  Steering wheel isn't locked, wheels are straight, vehicle is in park but the key just won't come out.  Any ideas?  Thanks in advance!
Project "Red" (not really named yet): '84 F150 4x2, Holley 4bbl 351 w/302 cam shaft and side exit pipes.  Still learning what else is there but in progress of putting her back together and on the road.
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Re: Key stuck in the 85 F150

PetesPonies
These are known for a loosey goosey switch over time. My first suggestion is just to keep playing with it. Slight movements forward and reverse with the switch, moving the wheel is needed , etc. I have always been able to remove the key eventually. If not, then you will have to remove the tumbler.
Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

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Re: Key stuck in the 85 F150

Steve83
Banned User
In reply to this post by jstone4646
jstone4646 wrote
went to pull out the key and it's stuck like Chuck.  Won't budge at all.
Will it turn to RUN?  If so, press the release pin (under the key on tilt columns; hidden in front of the steering wheel inside the column on non-tilts) and pull the cylinder out.



It's vaguely similar to what's shown in this & the NEXT pic:



Once it's out, you should be able to clean the cylinder & get it to release the key.  Again: vaguely similar to what's shown in this photo album:



To put the cylinder back, the key must be in it, and in the RUN position, so pay attention to its exact position as you pull it out of the column.  But it's the only position that the release pin can be pushed all the way in to the cylinder.