Hey guys - I've been using the site for quite a while to help troubleshoot issues with my Fords, but now I need to post.
I have an 85 F150 with a 302. Yesterday my son went to start it and the key turned, but no ignition. The battery is new and all the electrical works, but no crank. I attempted to jump the truck at the solenoid, it cranked but wouldn't start. I suspected the ignition actuator, so I took the lower steering column off and the actuator bar is in good shape. I changed the ignition switch today, and when I turn the key my dash lights come on but it won't crank. It will start at the solenoid though. I put the steering column back together and found out that the gear shifter (automatic on the column with tilt) won't budge, even with the key turned on. I'm suspecting something broke inside the column but I'm thinking I may have more than one issue here. I'm not a motorhead and I'm kinda dumb, but I do ok with simple instructions. Any help? Thanks very much.

 

Up and at it early this morning. I took the steering column shroud off so I could get a better look a the actuator. It seems like there is a lot of play in the actuator bar. With the actuator mounted into the ignition switch, it doesn't have enough 'push' to get the switch to push forward all the way and when I adjust the switch the bar won't pull the switch all the way back to the accessory mode. There is a lot of play in the bar itself. Me thinks there is probably something amiss inside, behind the wheel. Also, when I get the bar all the way forward into the start position, the key doesn't return on its own.

 

Piece #14 in the above diagram is broken in your column.

 

Thanks Dave. What is the piece called, and it is part of the actuator rack?

 

Autozone calls it a "ignition actuator" their part number is 83280. It's $9.99. The old one is easy to get out, the new one is difficult since it's in one piece. I had to go to the Ford dealer and talked to their "steering column guy" and he told me to take the snap ring loose on the steering shaft, and carefully pull the top part of the column down without letting the spring get loose. This is after you put a screw in each side of the column pivot pins and take a claw hammer or similiar and pull the pins out.

 

Dave
You nailed it. I posted on the older bullnose threads too, and left a detailed account of what happened today with the truck. It was an adventure, for sure, but I got the thing fixed and it's purring again. This truck sat in a yard for 2 years and when I put some gas in the tank and carb she fired right up so I bought it. It has a few minor issues that I'll still have to fix, but these older trucks were a lot easier to work on than the new ones and I can still find my way around the engine ok for the routine stuff. All in all, though, for a few little headaches, this truck is definitely worth it and I'm glad there's a site here that can help me through these little issues. Next up will be the fuel gauge sending unit and probably a new fuel pump.