Gauges only work when key turned back
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2012
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Gauges only work when key turned back
Just thought I should share my experience with my gauges not working.
Bought the truck, and the owner turned it on and the gauges all worked.
Gravy.
BUT
When I got it home, none of the gauges worked. I glanced at the electrical system/fuses/connections, and everything looked gravy.
After some luck however I tapped the key after turning the engine on, and it turned back just a 'tit'. This brought all my gauges alive, along with my clock, and heater/AC.
Turns out, the key gets stuck in the START position and does not spring back to the RUN position as it should. But like I said, a simple 'tit' of a turn back on the key, and it returns to the RUN position and my gauges etc are good to go.
Happy Thanksgiving all. And don't forget to set your scales back 10 lbs at midnight.
Bought the truck, and the owner turned it on and the gauges all worked.
Gravy.
BUT
When I got it home, none of the gauges worked. I glanced at the electrical system/fuses/connections, and everything looked gravy.
After some luck however I tapped the key after turning the engine on, and it turned back just a 'tit'. This brought all my gauges alive, along with my clock, and heater/AC.
Turns out, the key gets stuck in the START position and does not spring back to the RUN position as it should. But like I said, a simple 'tit' of a turn back on the key, and it returns to the RUN position and my gauges etc are good to go.
Happy Thanksgiving all. And don't forget to set your scales back 10 lbs at midnight.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
on my F250, i've never noticed it on the gages, but have your exact issue on the turn signals. i've just gotten into the habit of slapping the key back a little after i start it up.
i don't think adjusting the switch would help this any, either the switch itself is wearing out and its internal spring isn't pushing back quite far enough, or the linkages have way too much friction, and i doubt the friction idea unless you're feeling excessive resistance to turning the key.
you can either replace the switch, or get in the habit of adjusting the key every time to make everything work
i don't think adjusting the switch would help this any, either the switch itself is wearing out and its internal spring isn't pushing back quite far enough, or the linkages have way too much friction, and i doubt the friction idea unless you're feeling excessive resistance to turning the key.
you can either replace the switch, or get in the habit of adjusting the key every time to make everything work
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
on my F250, i've never noticed it on the gages, but have your exact issue on the turn signals. i've just gotten into the habit of slapping the key back a little after i start it up.
i don't think adjusting the switch would help this any, either the switch itself is wearing out and its internal spring isn't pushing back quite far enough, or the linkages have way too much friction, and i doubt the friction idea unless you're feeling excessive resistance to turning the key.
you can either replace the switch, or get in the habit of adjusting the key every time to make everything work
i don't think adjusting the switch would help this any, either the switch itself is wearing out and its internal spring isn't pushing back quite far enough, or the linkages have way too much friction, and i doubt the friction idea unless you're feeling excessive resistance to turning the key.
you can either replace the switch, or get in the habit of adjusting the key every time to make everything work
The switch adjusts on the steering column in relation to the ignition cylinder via it's connecting rod. A severly out of adjustment switch can actually keep the starter motor engaged unless you pull the lock cylinder back to off. Everything has to be adjusted in relation of each other to work freely.
It's possible that the switch is dirty, because it sits on top of the steering column, and 30 years of dirt etc, has entered the switch making the mechanism sticky.
It's possible that the switch itself is worn out and the return spring is no longer strong enough to do just that...
I gave the three possible solutions to the problem, it's up to the original poster to take the best course of action to solve his individual problem.
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