yawyd

I just got my 97 F-150 and the steering wheel won't lock with the key out or on accessory. It may be an obvious question but I suspect the clock spring is toast. Any suggestions? thank you.

River1

I don't know exactly what all the clock spring does but I replaced mine a couple of months ago because something about it put my airbag light on. Beyond that I'm not sure what all it does but I don't think it effects the ignition lock. There is a wire that runs from the clock spring to the ignition barrel but it appeared the lock was mechanical and not electric. There are a couple of Youtube videos on replacing the spring. PITA because of the tight space but not difficult. The ignition barrel needs to come out to replace the spring also.

Since I had the wheel, spring and airbag out I installed cruise control at the same time. Just a thought if you don't already have it.

yawyd

It does have cruise control but I have a few days off to take a look and replace parts. Sounds like I might have to. Thank you.

River1

Since last time I've looked up what all a clockspring does. One site described it as an extension cord that winds and unwinds as the wheel turns and supply's the power to airbag and all the other power required devices located on the steering wheel. It also said that it is the only moving part in the airbag system. I didn't find anything on any site that said or implied that locking the column or wheel is dependent on the spring.

A couple of things to keep in mind before you start. First, in the 97 to 03 generation of trucks the spring changed between 98 and 99. Springs from a 99 or later will not fit or "drop in" to you truck. I don't know if it can, "be made," to fit or not. Second, because of the embedded chip in the keys, replacing the ignition cylinder with a new cylinder that comes with it's own key doesn't work. On my truck at least, using the wrong coded key will activate the anti-theft protections and shut the truck down. The truck won't start. The truck needs to go to a dealer so the truck can be programmed for the new key. The obvious problem with this is getting a truck that won't start to a dealer.

With mixed results some solutions can be found online. The most common is mounting the old key on the column close enough to the ignition cylinder to disable the anti-theft system. The problem with this solution is if the key loses its "proximity" while the truck is moving, the truck will shut down.

Came across this also and you should probably check them out.

http://www.fordf150.net/articles/idx...9703-F150.html

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-...n-switch.shtml

on the above link it seems that the ".shtml" is correct. "html" doesn't get you here.

yawyd

Thank you again for the advise. Will do my research before I get into it.

yawyd

Well i got it to lock. The ignition was worn that it wouldn't lock the wheel but it would lock so I could get the key out. Replaced it. Now it locks both ways.