Hello all, this is my first post as I just bought my Bronco a few weeks ago. Been a Jeep man for the last 16 years.

When I went to start the truck this morning, the key just kept on going. Any comments on how difficult a broken ignition switch is to replace? I'm not a mechanic, but I know my way around the garage and I'm not too afraid to pull things apart.

Thankfully it did not crank, but I had to disconnect the battery b/c it's stuck in the "on" position.

Thanks in advance.

 

You will have to have the ignition key in the truck to do it. There is a recessed hole in the bottom of the column. there is a button at the bottom of this hole that can be depress with a small screwdriver or punch. To remove the keyswitch, put the key into the switch and press the button. As you rotate the switch forward (towards start) you will feel the button drop. you can then pull the old switch out. The new one will simply slide back into the hole and the spring loaded button will latch, holding the new switch in place. The instructions for your year may differ slightly but any descrepencies should be explained in the instructions that come with the new keyswitch.

 

It's most likely the linkage between the lock cylinder (what greystreak told you how to remove) and the ignition switch (on the side of the column under the dash). Look it up here.

 

Ford has issued a recall on ignition switches for 88s. You might check with the dealership to see if there was a recall issued on yours, if so, they will replace it for free (doesn't matter if you are original owner)

 

It sounds like you may have more of a problem than the lock cylinder, (the actual ignition switch is lower down on the steering column) it happened to me the same way you describe. It turned out to be a horshoe looking thingy. And has been a common problem on tilt steering wheels. You will have to remove the steering wheel and the turn signal switch inside the column. It can be kinda tedious but if you are mechanically inclined and have the tools you can do it. Wish I could be of more help. If you were a local I'd fix it for free for you. Good luck.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the help so far. I pulled the lock cylinder out as described above and it seems fine. In fact, I may have another problem on my hands as the cylinder came out in the "lock" position, but my column is in the "start" position. Can I twist/switch it back with a screwdriver?

Everything points to the problem being further down inside the column. Tedious? I called my local auto-electrical shop and they said they could fix it for less than $100 -- parts included.

Hmmmm, I do have the benefit of a few other cars in the garage so I might just try to pull the steering wheel and see what kind of trouble I can get into.

 

Yes you can start the engine with a screwdriver inbetween the cloumn joints, but you won't be able to shift out of park or anyother gear. That piece that is broken regulates starting and shifting.

 

BTW, The part is called the lower actuator. It's about $12 bucks from the dealer.

 

I spent some time this morning on the phone with my local dealer and the Ford 1-800 # about possibly getting this fixed under the recall (TSB 95S28)....no dice.

They (both) told me it was too old, and that the ignition switch recall from 1995 that affects these trucks was for an electrical problem - not a mechanical one. But the dealer did offer to fix it 300 bucks!!!!!!

Thanks for the name of the part though - I swing by there tomorrow and pick up one.

 

$100 Bucks!!!. I wish I were within a Hour's drive from where You are, Heck I'd do it for $25.00, and that 's with me buying the part. Plus I'd show you how to do it yourself. It's easy. Save your $100, take your time, disassembly your column. If a communications geek like myself can do it.. Just take your column out your truck it's a lot easier sitting down at a work bench that sitting in the truck. Be Careful of that tilt-wheel spring, it packs a punch. It took me about 3 hours, 2 hours 15 minutes of that was trying to find the little rolled pin that I dropped. After I found out the parts broke often in winter I purchased two extra

 

Parts guy told me that they usually break due to folks popping their steering wheel up without putting their hands on it to slow down it's movement. That part should be made of a better grade of metal than monkey metal anyway. I'm just glad that when mine broke it wasn't the day before when I was up in the mountains of VA. Where it was definatley backwoods. Had it of happened there I really would have been screwed, because I wouldn't of had any tools at all with me. Much less a Ford dealer nearby.

 

I Have A 97 F-350 That The Switch Turns All The Way Around. But It Is Not Tilt Steering Could This Just Be The Switch

 

yeah, the same thing happened to me and I dropped my column and drilled out the shift and steering locks and start the truck with a screwdriver because the lock cylinder will not come out.

 

Which trucks are affected by this particular linkage problem? Is it just the later ones, or all 80-96?