Sorry. I've had a lot of woes lately, but this is the last one I'm dealing with for a bit.
The Focus is having trouble starting. You have to put pressure from the key towards the column and turn in order to start the car. The original key is getting worn, so it doesn't work on the first turn every time. My spare does, but the keys will be replaced soon anyway (spare is a generic key with the old busted key on the key ring seen here).
So, what the hell is bad? The tumbler or the switch? There doesn't appear to be an external linkage without taking out the tumbler, so maybe I'll be pulling that out first. What say you?
Car in question is a 2008 Ford Focus S.
A new cylinder and some fresh keys would probably solve your issue. Rock auto has replacement cylinders for your car from about $40 for the cheapest one to about $80 for a Motorcraft part.
Edit: after reading your post again, maybe it's the switch.
Yep. Pulling it apart as we speak. I found that the correct answer is either one of these. I'm not about to rekey the whole car, but I will set a new tumbler correctly and replace the keys soon if the tumbler is the problem. I can get a new switch tomorrow for about $20. Fingers crossed. Going to video this for future trouble shooting.
So here is the switch. When looking closely, you can see it is a bit scarred. I just ordered a new one for $20-my $5 coupon. It'll be a few days, but hopefully it takes care of the issue. The car will run until then.
I am worried the linkage is a little loose. Either way, it SHOULD rest in the switch at all times. The dog-hootus-like pushrod appears to work perfectly. I'm concerned the issue may lie in the ignition housing flange and it could cause the same problem yet again.
Prognosis: The key cylinder was not pushing the rod hard enough into the ignition switch. The problem has been temporarily rendered with a piece of zip-tie taped to the cylinder.
Had this problem with my 2003 Focus. Ordered a new cylinder and all was good.
