QuestionI saw your 12-26-2007 post (Ignition Lock 63 T-Bird) and your 3-26-2005 post (62 T-Bird Ignition Removal).
I'll assume it's similar on the 65 since the same key opens the door and starts the ignition per the family/owners, but is now lost. And it has the typical release slot (tiny hole) in the cylinder face.
Since I did not see a hot wire f/u question from the 3-26-2005 posting, I will request it.
The lower dash panel is easily removable, but it was dusk (w/o a light) when I looked at the cylinder. Don't want to damage anything, it all seems original, but would like to get it into garage for protection.
AnswerI've been doing these Q&As since 1996, at the rate of 5 a day for most of that time, so I've done around 20,000 of them.
I'm sure you realize why I don't recall those particular questions, but if I understand your situation, you want to know how to run your car without the key. Since it is a Ford product, it is very easy. (not one of Ford's better ideas!)
Prepare 2 wires, each about 1 foot long, using stranded, insulated wire available at any auto parts store - 14 gauge is fine. Also get 4 "alligator clips" - so named because that is what they look like, and fasten them to the ends of the two wires.
Next, find the starter solenoid under your hood, by following the battery cable from the positive (+) post of the battery - that is where that cable goes. On the solenoid, you will see two large terminals, and two small terminals.
Put the car in Park, and set the parking brake. Clip one end of each wire to the large terminal on the solenoid, the one that has the battery cable on it. Don't let the other ends of either wire touch anything else - it will draw a spark on anything metal.
Momentarily tap either of the wires on each of the small terminals.
One of these small terminals may do nothing, or it might make a spark. This one is the ignition terminal, and may or may not have the letter "R" next to it. This is the one that you need to connect to the battery cable end to run the engine. Remember that you need to remove this wire in order to stop the engine - you can't turn it off until you remove the wire, so be prepared to drive the car into the garage and then open the hood and remove the wire as soon as you get the car where you want it. Do not run the engine this way for a long time - it is putting the full 12 volts on the coil and points, which always happens when you start the car, but the voltage drops to around 6 volts after the car is started, normally. Running it this way for a few minutes won't damage anything. Remember that the car will start in any gear, so make SURE it is in park before you do this!
The other terminal will make the starter crank. There will be a spark and a loud noise from the starter - don't worry, it won't hurt anything. There may or may not be an "S" near this terminal. When you are ready to start the car, connect both clip leads, but remove the one that operates the starter as soon as the engine starts, of course, so that the starter doesn't keep cranking with the engine running.
As for getting the lock cylinder out, you have to have the key to do that, so remove the door lock and take it to a locksmith to have a key made for that lock, it should also work the ignition. Alternately, you can call a locksmith and have him come to the car - for a price, of course.
Dick
