Have a 93 f 150, 300, e4od. Key has been funny for awhile, doesn't spring back after a start. Today went to the store, came home, turned key off, and it didn't do jack, just kept running.

Pulled a fuse under hood and it shut down, but I could still hear electrical activity going on so I unhooked the battery.

It will start with the key, just doesn't shut off. So what am I looking at, switch, lock cylinder? Something else?

Sucks I have to go to work like that lol.

 

NO reply yet?

They say the key switch/ignition switches are cheap and easy to replace.

and it's not uncommon for them to go bad.

Usually a heavy key chain will mess them up too. but your new one will last another, what? 25 years?

 

Behind the key switch is a gear cog whicm meshes with a toothed rack or actuator, this is connected to a rod that runs down the column to the ign switch which is bolted to the steering column under the dash.
I would think either the actuator in the column is bad or the ign switch under the dash is bad.
You need to turn the key switch and look to see if that rod has full movement as you turn the key. If it does then unbolt the ign switch from the column and work it manually to see if it is bad.

 

Ill check that out when I get home, thanks!

 

Ok it must be the switch on the column. The actuator moves in each direction. Where the eff is the switch and how do I get it out?

 

The switch should be a bulky thing bolted to the side of the steering column under tha dash, with a large wiring plug to it. You should see the rod going to it.

 

Is it white and held on with torx?

 

Yes, that sounds like it. It should have the rod from the key switch attached to it and a large electrical plug.

 

I can't see the rod, but its the only thing in the area. Has a huge plug attached to it.

 

Ignition Switch | 1993 Ford F150 1/2 ton P/U 4WD 8 Cylinders N 5.0L FI | AutoZone.com This is what it looks like.

 

Yep that's it. Ill head there and pick up as soon as dinners done. Thanks a lot!

 

Well turns out its the rod. Can it be changed in the truck? I have no idea how that thing might come out. For now I'm just using the switch lol

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ition-fun.html Have a read through the post in this thread by BChance. As you are not concerned about the key switch you can ignore some steps.
It may be that it is the little gear cog and actuator that is bad in yours. However if you have tilt steering it may be that the rod hinge pin has come out (the rod is two piece with a hinge) but you will not know until you get the column shroud off. If it is the pin just put it back in and you are good.

 

Ill be sure to check that thread out. I don't have tilt, but my rod disappears into the aluminum column and I can only see it right behind the key and under the switch. It moves behind the key with or without the lock cylinder. It does not move the lower portion that moves the switch itself.

 

Then it sounds like the actuator is the problem. Probably the little gear cog behind the key switch is stripped.