Took my 1987 Ford F150 for a drive Thursday then parked it. Last night and this morning I replaced the wiper motor as I was getting power to the motor but nothing was happening with the wipers. Went to start the truck but got nothing with the key in the on position. If I turn the key all the way it turns over but once that happens and I let go it dies. My buddy said it might be the battery so I hooked my truck up to my wife's car and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Same thing. It seems like the ignition switch isn't getting power. I cannot think of anything I could have done while doing the wiper motor to cause this. Any ideas? I did not see a fuse for the ignition switch in the panel.

 

I should add that I do have lights and they appear to be normal. If I turn the key slowly right before it turns over the wipers work. But the moment it turns and I let go it dies upon going back to the on position.

 

since your truck starts you can rule out the battery.
sounds like you have a bad spot on the ignition switch.

p.s. : the ignition switch is mounted on the top side of the steering column, under neath the dash.

 

Thanks for the help. Should I'll assume the steering wheel will need to come off?

 

what year truck??
if it is a 87-91 the ignition switch is mounted to the top of the steering column, roughly above the brake pedal.
the switch is a 2 part deal, half aluminum and half plastic.
what happens is with age the switch separates and will no longer make contact in certain positions.

remove the lower dash panels, ans loosen the 4 bolts holding the steering column to the dash . then with a flashlight look in along the top of the column. you will see rite away if the switch is bad.

 

It's an 87. Thank you for the advice. I'll look today. Wishing my manual would have came by now lol.

 

Any advice on removing the lower dash panels would be much appreciated.

 

use a dental pick to get in the notch on the **** and depress the spring clip on the wipers. not sure if the headlights uses the spring clip or if you have to depress the plunger on the switch to remove the **** and shaft.
then htat lower panel pops off. the other side has a screw under the headlight/wiper side panel. i want to say it is 8 mm head. remove that screw and the other side pops off.
remove the lower panel that covers the fuse panel.
then you can access the 4 bolts holding the steering column to the dash.
loosen the bolts and the column will drop enough for yo uto see in along the top of the column to access the switch.
unfortunately i do not have any of these trucks here to take pictures of, and all the old repair files with pictures were all lost with the last computer crash last year.

 

Is this the part Im looking for?


BWD CS171 - Ignition Starter Switch | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

that's it.
those oval mounting holes are shaped like that so that you can adjust the switch up and down to column to allow for wear in the linkage. so if you get it installed and nothing happens, just start making small adjustments in either direction until you get it right.

 

Got the switch replaced and truck fires right up. Only worry is the two clips on the wires side that clip into the switch broke off. I tried to be careful but they were so brittle. Is this something to worry about and if so any ideas on how to keep it together?

 

<p>that happens on these old dogs. you can push it in and hope for the best, put a dab of glue on the plug and switch, or use a few wire ties to hold the plug on.</p><p>i have had very good luck with the push it on and hope for the best route.</p><p>only had the plug come loose on one truck, and that was after around 5 years.</p>