OR - BARELY can turn ignition key! '89 Bronco w auto trans. I replaced the key cylinder a while back thinking that would help fix this problem but it didn't and just keep slowly getting worse, now after about a year we can hardly turn the key at all! Anyone know what to do? Someone told me that they thnk there's some sort of gears in there that need to be greased, someone else told me that you have to replace the gears wherever they are, and it's a PITA job to do, but so far that's all I know about it. I'm reluctant to tear apart the steering column without knowing what I'm looking for. Can you help? Thanks!

 

My 89 f150 went through several of the E315 (first or last of the part number) thingy. It's job is to make the circular motion of the loc cylinder in to a forward and reverse movement to work the ignition switch.

It is a pain the first three times, after that, I was going to put in a push button.

 

Check the ignition switch on lower steering column.There's a rod that run's from the lock to the switch. The switch may be loose, worn out or the rod may be bent. If your not sure want to do, Chilton's Truck Manual, 88-92, has a good descripion of what to do. Good Luck.

 

Go here. I just did this.

http://chrisb.users.superford.org/Br...ng_Column.html

Your problem could be the gear at the bottom of the cylinder,the slide that the gear engages with, the rod actuator(this is what broke on mine), the rod,or the switch at the bottom of the column.

As for the permanent fix- I've heard many people say that the push button start is the way to go. I myself have only had to replace the key tumbler twice and the ign. switch at the bottom of the column three times. The most recent repair(rod actuator) was due to me breaking it, not it breaking on me. Since I was in the steering column so deeply at the time of repair I went ahead and replaced my ign. switch and tumbler again. I regreased everything in the column and checked all the parts while I was there.

I don't see the need in converting my truck to push button start when I've only been in the column six times in 20 years. That's pretty good service life for a light duty vehicle IMO.

Do what you want to do to fix your problem. The link was given to me when I asked about the interior of the column last week. That topic thread is here.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ng-column.html

Good luck.

 

Yep, that was the beast. I am very happy I was able to forget that part number/job.