Hello,I have 1988 F-250 was was wondering if anyone else has had this problem with there truck. The ignition switch gets hard to turn if not impossible to turn in cold weather. Any help would be appreciated thanks

 

Yup, I've had that problem. My advice - don't force it or you'll break the tumbler on the ignition and have to replace your ignition switch. (oh and this really sucks because to replace it you need to get the key into a specific spot to pull the tumbler out. I had to disassemble the whole upper steering column to get the old one out)

It can also force your ignition switch (the actual switch part on the column) to slide out of adjustment leaving you unable to start your truck unless you jump the solenoid under the hood. This also will make your truck finicky to actualy shut in that key out in "off" is right next to "accessory" and a tap of the ignition lock or a big gust of wind will jiggle the truck enough to turn your radio on by itself (or anything else powered while in accessory potition)

I just added a push to start button to bypass having to turn the key all the way forward to crank. My guess is the lube inside the switch is dried out and getting stiff in the cold. The entire system (switch, rods, pivots etc) probably needs a good cleaning. I just haven't done it because the switch itself is kind of a pita to work on where it's at.

Down to about 10* isn't so bad.. it's the 0* and below that it gets REAL stiff

 

It is the column itself. There is a slide on the top that is probably binding up because it is worn out. You can replace that part of the column. The switch is actually down at the bottom of the column.

 

old grease.
the proper way to fix it is to remove the steering wheel and clean it up then regrease it with white lithium grease.
the quick fix that sometimes works is to remove the key tumbler, spray a cleaning solvent in the tumbler and in the hole to clean the Rack and slider gear and then spray the lithium grease in the gears and tumbler.
i have had mixed results with the "quick fix"

 

Thanks to you all for your post. I will try some of your fixes. I would like to apologize for being so lazy about posting a thank you.

 

no no no.
you are not lazy.
you are every busy and have not gotten to it yet!!

 

I had this problem also not to long ago, I opened up the Column and it was all tore up in there. I would have to get a new Column to Fix my problem cause it went on for too long. I just did what Swoo did and Add a Push botton. Just turn the Key to on Position and Push the botton.

 

I had the same issue. The ignition was difficult to turn and it wouldn't release from the start position. I would manually have to turn the key from start to run as soon as i felt it kick over. It was a pain in the *** and was a risk to my starter and flywheel.

The fix:
I sprayed the key hole with graphite lubricant. It's the generic lock lubricant. It is light and won't cake up especially with the cold weather. Spray it let it work its way in for a minute or so. Put the key in. Rotate the ignition back and forth a few times. You should notice a substantial improvement immediately. Give it another quick spray and it should be good. It's a couple bucks, even it it doesn't work you can use the rest of the can on the locks on your vehicle and home.

 

All my Fords all have/had that problem.....

 

my new van purchase is like that, i will have to ad a push button. or put in a old dash from the 78 since it has the smart keyswitch on dash.