2006 4.6 F150 Ignition Lock Cylinder Question
 

I readily admit that I am not a mechanical type person, nor a shade tree mechanic. That being said, between asking questions and watching youtube, I can accomplish a few odds and ends. I purchased this 2006 a couple of months ago. One of the few issues I've had is with starting and turning off the engine. I've searched these forums high and low today and if there is a thread for this exact problem, I've yet to find it. Most of the time, I get in the truck, turn the key and vroom, off we go. Occasionally, I get in, turn the key and nothing. I pull the key out, put it in, wiggle it around, do the hokey pokey and turn myself around and eventually it connects and fires up. Occasionally, I have the same issue tuning the truck off. You turn the key and pull it out and it continues to run. Repeat the hokey pokey. I've watched videos on replacing the ignition lock cylinder and it looks pretty straight forward and within my range of possibilities. My question, is my issue with the cylinder or the ignition switch inside the column. I'd hate to buy the cylinder, replace it and find out it didn't fix anything. I will add that the key is pretty loosey goosey in the cylinder and the cylinder has a lot of give in and out. My woory of course is the day I go out and doing the hokey pokey doesn't work. Help!

Anybody?

I can only provide unrelated information on a '97 Jetta I had that'd do the same thing years ago; in 2010 I replaced the switch and solved the problem. If you are able to turn the key and pull it in and out, and it doesn't start, that points to a bad switch, but if the key itself is loose, points to the lock cylinder. It sounds like you have both problems, and it sounds like a previous owner was fond of heavy key chains.

Tilt wheel? Try changing the wheel position when it won't crank. Its possible part of your problem is related to the PATS (passive anti theft system). That in turn could be related to a loose cylinder. It sounds like for sure you need to change the lock cylinder. That may not completely solve your problem but its as good a place to start as any.

key cylinder replaced
 

my mechanic replaced my key cylinder and then new problems began. An audio guy said it is a low quality key cylinder replacement. What are the preferred replacement key cylinders??????