so I have had my 87 f350 for 5 years. when I bought it, it had a push button start hot wired in the ash tray. I was told that the ignition switch was bad. so recently I ordered an after market switch and put it in. went to start the truck and the ignition would barley turn. I would have to twist the steering wheel back and forth to get the wheel to unlock but it wouldn't even make it to the aux position. so I put the old switch back and it will only turn half way but not enough to start the truck. any ideas?

 

See parts catalog pic for numbers in bold.

The ignition switch is located at the bottom of the steering column, it's actuated by the 11A599 rod

The 11582 ignition switch cylinder is located in the upper flange. Below it is the 3C610 bearing retainer, 3E700 bearing and 3E717 brass gear.

The gear strips, the rod binds up.

 

It's not the switch. It's a little cast aluminium pivot piece inside the steering column that transfers thrust from the key down to the rod which activates the switch. You have to disassemble the column from the top to get to it, which is a little bit of a pain - removing the steering wheel requires a puller, and there are 3 tight-clearance allen screws which face down; I think you actually are supposed to drop the column to get to them without scratching up your dashboard down by the column.

 

and the name of the part is the ignition actuator. only costs around $15

 

I watched a video on how to change that part. But I guess my main question is why did it only happen after I change the switch? And why depending on which switch can I get into different positions? If I put the new switch and I can't even unlock the steering column. If I put the old switch and I can get the ACC but not to the start position

 

So I pulled the steering wheel the actuator was not broken. And I couldn't get it out I have watched multiple videos to pull the colum and nothing shows how to pull the part and replace it without it being broken and grinding the new part down. Any ideas?

 

Also having a real hard time reconnecting the ignition to the actuator. The hook that connects to the pin, I just can't get to connect. And t still seem to have the original problem

 

Um, I'm not sure quite what I disassembled, but it just dropped right in once I'd taken enough out to let it fit right.
IIRC, you have to take the bottom 'collar' assembly off along with everything else, the one that requires three hex bolts from the steering box side of the column.

 

if you have tilt wheel, the only way to get the actuator in is to remove the tilt mechanism.

and once you have the actuator in, you have to align the rack and gear behind the key cylinder just rite, otherwise you will not get all functions.
what i do is set the last tooth on the gear with the first tooth on the rack. this usually gets the aligned properly.

 

so I think what happened. when you put on the new switch it was not in the right position. Take the switch back off, there is a hole that a small rod on your column goes into. put a small screwdriver in there and pull it all the way back. It slides pretty easy, and when I say back I mean if the switch was installed on the column pull it in the direction that would be toward the driver seat. This is the accessory position, push forward one click, you are now in the off position. Reinstall, make sure the rod on the column is inserted into the small hole. You should be ready to start. There is a possibility that the rod is not properly seated now, but since you have to take the switch out anyway you can make sure you have it in the right position before seating the rod. Hope this helped.

 

The switch also is mounted with slots and can be adjusted up or down depending on what you need to match the key.

Also, yes, the silly ignition actuator breaks way too easily.
After fixing it right a couple of years ago, and then having it break again a month ago, I did this instead: