PLEASE HELP !!!! i have an 89 f150 with an inline 6 its a 4.9l 300 2 wheel drive 5 speed. i am getting no power to anything while my key is in the run position. i can start the truck and it will run as long as i hold the key in the start position. While messing with fuses i accicently figured out that by putting a jumper wire to the red wire with the green stripe that i get power to everything and the truck will start and run in the run position so im assuming that somewhere down the line im not getting power to the wire that runs to the run position of the ignition. can somebody please help me.

 

Sounds like a bad Ignition Switch or its plug.
The Ignition switch is located on top of the column down near the floorboard.

 

Thank you for responding. how would i go about testing the switch and the plug?? also would they still be bad even if i send power to the run wire and it works then?

 

If all the fuses are good, I'd suspect a bad ignition switch.

 

i found a grey colored block on top of the steering column under the dash with a big black plugs into it. The grey block has 2 parts top and bottom with some metal connectors inbetween and the grey block will not snap together all of the way. i know it has something to do with the ignition because when i turn the key a rod slides down into these metal connectors. Sorry i almost know nothing about this or the names of these items, wish i was more helpful in describing it. but im almost positive this has something to do with it

 

Any suggestions??

 

Well you have fuse links not fuses but the fuse link would have to be good to crank and start in the start position.
I take you mean by "send power to the run wire" you are hot wiring it at the Ignition Coil. About the only thing you are bypassing is the Ignition Switch and maybe a fuse link.

Not sure on a 89 truck but I know on a 1989 ford van there is also an Ignition fuse link in the engine compartment right after it goes through the fire wall. See photo below.
The 1988 truck did have this fuse link.


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Yes that is the Ignition Switch. The plugs neen to be plugged in all the way.

The plug should look something like this:


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well when i said "when i run power to the run wire" i just meant when i take a jumper wire at the fuse panel and jump from fuse #18 to a fuse that is hot then i have no problem starting it and it running while the key is in the run position. the reason for this jumper wire is because i have no voltage to fuse #18 until the ignition is turned to the start position. sorry for the confusion.

 

yes thats what it looks like, i dont know if something is broke on it or what but it wont snap together all of the way.

 

The gray 'box' is most likely your igniton switch. They do come apart from time to time, its not uncommon at all.

It only costs about $20 and is fairly easy to change out and adjust. If you search either here or google you should be able to find plenty of instructions in addition to the ones that come with the switch.

I often see the key switch confused with the igniton switch. The actual igniton switch is what I believe you have an issue with. Sometimes it is also called the ignition 'slider'.

 

This is the picture Subford posted of the ignition switch connector.

The Yellow wire is 12 volts and hot all the time.
When you turn the ignition key to Start, the Yellow wire
transfers 12 volts to the contact labeled I2 of the ignition switch.

When you turn the ignition key to Run the Yellow wire
transfers 12 volts to the contact labeled I1 of the ignition switch.
This is where your problem is. You're not getting 12 volts on I1.

The ignition switch is bad or it needs adjusting.

If you look at the switch you can loosen the two nuts that hold
it to the steering column and move it up or down.

The switch is considered adjusted properly if you have all
five positions. Accessories, Lock, Off, Run and Start.

 

i took the plug apart and cleaned all the contacts and plugged it back it and put the grey box back together and its still coming apart everytime i turn the key off and it pulls the rod back it makes the grey box come apart and not im not getting any reaction for run or start. do i just need to get a new box or is there a way to fix this one?

 

I would say get a new one.

 

also now i have no voltage going to the plug thats supposed to be hot all the time, what would cause that?