My key turns freely - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport

Are you sure you have the right keys? Try turning the steering wheel a little when you turn the key. I know it won't really turn but turn it against the lock one way and the other while trying the key. Sometimes if you have the wheels in a little bind it will hold the steering wheel tight against a lock and prevent the key from turning freely.

it is more than likely that a rod has come off the lock mechanism as they are only held in place by a plastic clip that is prone to breaking
to fix you will have to remove the door trim and fit a new clip

What most people refer to as the "Ignition switch" is really the "cylinder lock", that when turned with the key, operates the actual "ignition switch".
The switch causing your problem is inside the steering column, and the column needs to be at least partly disassembled to access it.

wiggle the steering wheel while turning key. make sure its in park

if you look under steering colum there is a rod that runs from key to modual at base of colum make sure good connections to rod.may need to repjace that modual

I would lean more towards your ignition switch being bad. Although you could be right I have not seen that problem very often. More often than not its the ignition switch. Good luck.

have you tried tapping on the starter with someone in the vehicle turnung the key to the start position? this is one thing to try a you should be able to reach the starter from under the hood. try this and if it starts, replace the starter. cheers

do you have anyother keys to try? If it spins freely then you probably need a new ignition cylinder.

The first thing on ETC systems is to make shure that the throttle body is working freely and clean. Always make shure that the key is turned off and in your pocket so nobody can come along and turn it on while you are working on a ETC, the throttle plate will close when the key is turned on and will try to keep your finger. With the key off, take your finger and open the throttle plate and make shure it moves smothly and closes freely, if not replace. If working O.K. take some cleaner on a rag and wipe it out very well. It is not recomended to spary as the cleaner can wick into the electronics.

This is exactly what happened to my truck last night. The steering wheel moves freely. I had a hard time putting the key in the ignitition. The ignition will not turn. Neither will the shifter. It seems like it is not in park but then how did the key come out? My car is a 2004 Chevy 2500HD. Did you even get a solution to your issue?