I have an 89 f250 7.3 with a ZF5. I am in Va and we are having a huge snow storm for around here and while ive been driving the truck all night when i got home and shut it down i broke the ignition somehow. Now the key is stuck on ACC and it just turns freely. It wont start and it wont turn off but the key came out. I disconnected the battery because it wouldnt turn off.

How hard is it to replace and how much? I really needed the truck to get to work tomorrow but i might not be able to make it and if i can fix this quickly i will do that. If it is really involved i might have to take it to my mechanic. Any advice is appreciated

 

There is another thread right here on this same subject. I just read it tonight but don't see it. I'll keep looking for it.

 

Found it!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tion-rant.html
After you get the lock cylinder out, you might be able to use a tool to run the ignition switch.

 

its not fiddicult, there is a search, but due to the storm heres a quick freebie to help ya out, you will most likely need to remove the cylinder (thats most likely what broke if the key is spinning freely) there is a small pin you will have to push up to pop it out, good luck, and yes I will try to post the thread link that the above post refers to (i read it this morning while the snow fell) and if your in its path your good to expect at least two feet or more (thankfully I have a truck....)


here is the thread I went to look for and found, enjoy it will (should) have what you need to figure things out

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tion-rant.html

 

Thanks for the link that helped alot. Now i know i can do it myself. I went out and looked at the truck and its got 2 holes and im not sure which one has the pin in it. There is a round hole closer the the turn signal and then a square hole closer to the ignition. Im assuming its the square one? I gave it a trial run but cant see inside it to see the pin

 

Some visual aids:




Turn the ignition cylinder to "on", press in the retaining pin and pull out the cylinder:

 

Wow that was exactly what i needed right there! I got it out and am now trying to get a ride to advance to pick up my cheap replacement. $9 for the cheapo and i have a good motorcraft one coming in the mail from rockauto. For the time being im gonna run the cheap one so i can atleast get around.

Thanks for the help everyone. The picture is really how i figured it out.

 

I hope all goes well with your repair

 

I just went through the exact same thing and I see somebody linked my thread above.

It literally took me 2 minutes to complete the repair. I was scared at first because I'm more familiar with "newer" vehicles with air bags, security systems, and computers - but almost couldn't believe how simple this was.

Like you, I bought the cheap one from Advance and ordered a good Motorcraft from Rock Auto to be installed at a later date. Good luck.

 

yup guilty as charged, I linked your thread as the content was relivent to this topic and I think fit the best hope you didn't mind!

 

Glad you did since I didn't check the list of topics until a half hour after you posted!

I take it the little protruding piece on the end is designed to be the point of failure, to snap off there in order to protect the parts buried deep inside the column from even more damage when things get into a bind.

 

possibly, not really 100% sure on it, I know I will be replacing mine soon as my key can be removed with the truck running (not the best thing, but I kinda do like it as I can lock the truck and keep the key on me and leave it running in the cold and warm it up...)

 

That was my favorite "feature" of my 1991 Escort. I could remove the key and lock the door when the car was running - good for when I was at work (retail store) or parked on the street somewhere. I wonder if there is a way to hack a replacement ignition cylinder to enable this "feature".

 

beats me, but i think its due to the tumblers or something inside no longer engaging or being worn out

 

<a href="http://s1344.photobucket.com/user/amseibert26/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150217_131435_zps481b77a7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p643/amseibert26/Mobile%20Uploads/20150217_131435_zps481b77a7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150217_131435_zps481b77a7.jpg"/></a>

Yepp got the new one in and about to fire up the truck now. Thanks for the help everyone