Check Your Metal Keys!

[GPSMan]

Ladies and Gentlemen....

Please check your metal keys.

I have an XLT.

My metal key DOES NOT operate the tailgate!

(Thankfully it does operate the driver's door.)

No.

Yes.

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[Redneck Garage]

As a locksmith I find that many locks don't operate until you spray them with some WD-40 because they're filled with grease from the factory. If it's cold in the Grease is really thick I know it was about and the tailgate light gets rarely used with a key.

 

[GPSMan]

Well, the truck is almost new. It's 60 degrees and in the sun.

It is also the first time I tried the key.
Electric key fob works normally.
I tried cycling the electric lock a few times. Didn't help. I tried inserting the key while locked, and unlocked. No luck.

The key won't physically go in. Like it's a different cut???

 

[desmobob]

I checked mine yesterday after reading another post about someone's key not working in the door. Mine works everywhere it's supposed to.

 

[WannaMav]

Something similar, initially. Either key would insert into the tailgate lock only if held "just so" and even then took several tries in order to be fully inserted. Fairly quickly resolved, becoming easier to insert and operate incrementally with each time used.

 

[Lynyrd Skynyrd]

Mine has the keyless fob but just checked the hide-away key does manually lock/unlock the tailgate.
Maybe it needs a lock lubricant or perhaps someone else and yours the ford dudes swapped locks

 

[garryjohnson]

Put some kind of lubricant (I used WD-40) on the key and in the keyhole. I originally thought the same as you, but being a very stubborn old man, I kept trying until it finally went in and turned. Hopefully this is the case with yours. All I can say is keep trying and if all else fails, take it to the dealership service department and have them try. Maybe this is a common enough thing that they know how to deal with it.

 

[MauiDread808]

I find that my tailgate lock core is not perpendicular to the ground and the key must be inserted at a very slight angle up. No problems once I figured this out.

 

[GPSMan]

I find that my tailgate lock core is not perpendicular to the ground and the key must be inserted at a very slight angle up. No problems once I figured this out.

I'll try a little more vigorously today.
If no luck, off to the dealer for warranty service. I'll tack it on to TSB for brakes and Recall for Airbags and if far enough down the road, throw in a free oil change and why not a tire rotation.

 

[Redneck Garage]

Well, the truck is almost new. It's 60 degrees and in the sun.

It is also the first time I tried the key.
Electric key fob works normally.
I tried cycling the electric lock a few times. Didn't help. I tried inserting the key while locked, and unlocked. No luck.

The key won't physically go in. Like it's a different cut???

Did you try spraying some WD40 or lubricating oil ? If the key wont go in there may be something stuck in there as well - take a small screwdriver and push the shutter back and look in the keyway with a flashlight - kids are notorious for sticking something in a lock cylinder.

 

[GPSMan]

Did you try spraying some WD40 or lubricating oil ? If the key wont go in there may be something stuck in there as well - take a small screwdriver and push the shutter back and look in the keyway with a flashlight - kids are notorious for sticking something in a lock cylinder.

Weird:

Yesterday, in the warmest part of the day, no amount of finagling could get the key to go in. This morning, in much colder weather, it went in like greased lightning. The key "hole" feels loosey-goosey. Turning the key works, but there is a lot of resistance and I can hear electric actuator whine so I'm forcing the electric to move without power.

Normal?

I get two feelings here:
1) key should be reserved for true emergency use
2) does not feel "reliable". Feels poorly made

 

[TedTX]

I find that my tailgate lock core is not perpendicular to the ground and the key must be inserted at a very slight angle up. No problems once I figured this out.

This is my exact reply. Thanks. Described perfectly to me, hope OP gets it.

 

[TedTX]

Its like raising the bottom of the rear seat and getting it to lock up. Then figuring out how to drop it back down. Not intuitively easy to figure first couple of times. And the seat back, well I am sure there should be a better way but slamming it with enough force to shake the truck and have it rollback half an inch on its tires, always works.

 

[Bigsarge]

Ladies and Gentlemen....

Please check your metal keys.

I have an XLT.

My metal key DOES NOT operate the tailgate!

(Thankfully it does operate the driver's door.)

No.

Yes.

Just tried mine for the first time after reading your post. Works fine in the door and tailgate.

 

[GPSMan]

Turns out mine is installed "crooked".

Crooked lock requires holding the key at a crooked angle.

Since I have the electric lock with keyfob I will rarely need the key. May just "live with it".

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