Key broke I off in the ignition of my 99 mercury tracer how do I manually unlock steering column?

no info generic answer 99% of vehicles can change tumbler but cheaper and easier to have a key cut using vin by dealer or authorized locksmith

Removal & Installation

Before continuing with this procedure, make sure to have available a new steering wheel retaining bolt and two lock cylinder retaining bolts. Once removed, these parts lose their torque holding ability (or retention capability) and must not be reused.

1. If equipped, disarm the air bag system and disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Remove the steering wheel.
   
3. Remove the combination switch.
   
4. Unplug the wiring connector to the ignition switch.
   
5. Remove the ignition and shifter interlock cable mounting bracket bolt and position the assembly to one side.
   
6. Remove the four steering column bracket bolts and lower the steering column.
   
7. Cut a groove in the ignition cylinder bracket bolts with a chisel and hammer or use a similar method.
   
8. Using a screwdriver, remove and discard the bracket bolts.
   
9. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder and bracket.
   

Unfasten the ignition and shifter interlock cable mounting bracket bolt, and position the assembly to one side

Use a chisel and hammer to cut a groove in the ignition cylinder bracket bolts-1991-96 models shown; 1997-99 models similar

To install:

1. Install the new ignition switch and the bracket into position on the steering column tube.
   
2. Install the new lock cylinder bolts and tighten the bolts enough to hold the switch in position.
   
3. Check for proper switch operation by rotating the key to each position. If necessary, reposition the lock cylinder until it operates properly.
   
4. If positioned properly, tighten the retaining bolts until the bolt head shears off.
   
5. Raise and position the steering column. Tighten the bracket bolts to 80-124 inch lbs. (9-14 Nm).
   
6. If equipped with tilt column, remove the upper mounting bracket retaining pin.
   
7. Position the interlock cable bracket. Install and tighten the retaining bolt to 35-53 inch lbs. (4-6 Nm).
   
8. Attach the wiring connector to the ignition switch.
   
9. Install the combination switch.
   
10. Connect the negative battery cable.
    
11. Confirm operational status of the air bag system by turning the ignition key to the RUN position and visually monitoring the air bag indicator lamp in the instrument cluster. The indicator lamp should illuminate for approximately 6 seconds and then turn OFF. If the indicator lamp does not illuminate, stays ON, or flashes at any time, a fault has been detected by the air bag diagnostic monitor.
    
12. Check the steering wheel, horn and combination switch functions for proper operation.
    

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I suggest check the position 17, 20AMP for Cigar Lighter (page 277 and next for FUSES)...



This and other details can find it in your Mercury Tracer Owners Manual.

Hope this help (remember rated this post).

drop the steering column and see if the ignition switch has come apart, very common and had a recall for it. You can also call the ford dealer and give then the cars VIN and they can run it and see if any recalls are open and need to be done.

sounds like a bad light switch....and that dash lights stay on drains battery

lock cylinder removal

Section 11-04: Steering Column 1996 Escort, Tracer Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder Removal

1. WARNING: THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT NECESSARY FOR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE DEPLOYMENT IS POWERED DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY. TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY, THE BATTERY GROUND CABLE MUST BE DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO SERVICING OR REPLACING ANY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
   Remove the steering wheel (3600). Refer to the procedure in this section.
   

1. Remove the multi-function switch (13K359). Refer to Section 11-05 for the removal procedure.
   

1. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.
   

1. Remove the ignition/shifter interlock cable mounting bracket bolt and position the ignition/shifter interlock cable mounting bracket and the ignition/shifter interlock cable (3F719) aside.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the four steering column upper mounting bracket bolts and lower the steering column (3C529).
   

1. Use a hammer and chisel to make a groove in the head of each of the two ignition switch lock cylinder bracket bolts.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the two ignition switch lock cylinder bracket bolts with a screwdriver and discard the bolts.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder and the ignition switch lock cylinder bracket.
   

Installation

1. Position the ignition switch lock cylinder and bracket and install two new bolts, tightening them only enough to hold the ignition switch lock cylinder in position.
   

1. With the key in the ignition, verify the operation of the ignition switch lock cylinder. If necessary, reposition the ignition switch lock cylinder until it operates properly.
   

1. Tighten the ignition switch lock cylinder bracket bolts until the bolt heads break off.
   

1. Position the steering column and install the four steering column upper mounting bracket bolts. Tighten the steering column upper mounting bracket bolts to 9-14 Nm (80-124 lb-in).
   

1. On vehicles equipped with tilt column, remove the upper mounting bracket retaining pin.
   

1. Position the ignition/shifter interlock cable mounting bracket and install the bolt. Tighten the ignition/shifter interlock cable mounting bracket bolt to 4-6 Nm (35-53 lb-in).
   

1. Connect the ignition switch electrical connector.
   

1. Install the multi-function switch. Refer to Section 11-05 for the installation procedure.
   

1. Install the steering wheel. Refer to the procedure in this section.
   

1. Inspect the shift interlock system. Refer to Section 07-05 for the procedure.
   

If there is I have yet to find it, I ended up finding the wire for the buzzer and clipping/capping it within the steering column.

this will help you all you have to do is { PAY CLOSE ATTENTION.}
you go to YOUTUBE {TYPE IN YOUR QUESTION} after you press {ENTER} you'll see some videos that will show you how to fix the problem step by step.

• Headlamps Inoperative

• Fuse.
• Headlamp switch.
• Headlamp relay.
• Circuit.
• Bulbs.

Section 11-05: Steering Column Switches 1996 Escort, Tracer Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Multi-Function Switch
Removal

1. WARNING: THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT NECESSARY FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS POWERED DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY. TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY, THE BATTERY GROUND CABLE MUST BE DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO SERVICING OR REPLACING ANY AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
   Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and wait one minute for the backup power supply to be depleted.
   

1. Remove the steering wheel (3600). Refer to Section 11-04 for the removal procedure.
   

1. Remove the four screws from the lower steering column shroud (3530).
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder illumination lamp socket from the lower steering column shroud.
   

1. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
   

1. Remove the upper steering column shroud.
   

1. Disconnect the three multi-function switch electrical connectors.
   

1. Remove the multi-function switch screws.
   

1. Remove the multi-function switch electrical connectors and the multi-function switch (13K359).
   

1. Remove the turn signal and windshield wiper switch.
2. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.
3. Remove the two ignition key reminder switch screws.
4. Remove the ignition switch screws and remove the ignition switch.

Installation

To install, reverse the removal procedure. Check for proper operation of the ignition switch.