Starting problem
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 57
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Starting problem
A long story short.....
I get a call from my cousin (who is borrowing my truck)... He says the truck won't start. When he puts the key in the ignition it'll turn and it'll power on all the accessories, but won't crank the engine (when he pulled the key out the accessories stayed on so he unplugged the battery).
He said he "figured out what it was" and got an ignition cylinder.. well that wasn't it and now the key is stuck in the ignition and won't come out or turn...
So now I have 2 problems......
Any help would be great as to what could be the problem and what to check.
The truck is a 97 F250 w/ 5.8 auto.
I get a call from my cousin (who is borrowing my truck)... He says the truck won't start. When he puts the key in the ignition it'll turn and it'll power on all the accessories, but won't crank the engine (when he pulled the key out the accessories stayed on so he unplugged the battery).
He said he "figured out what it was" and got an ignition cylinder.. well that wasn't it and now the key is stuck in the ignition and won't come out or turn...
So now I have 2 problems......
Any help would be great as to what could be the problem and what to check.
The truck is a 97 F250 w/ 5.8 auto.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 57
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
After some testing/troubleshooting we narrowed the problem down to the "trigger wire" that runs between the ignition silonoid (fenderwell near battery) to the key lock cylinder.
Does anyone have a wiring diagram of the ignition system? Mainly on the steering column.
Or does anyone know how to wire in a start/run/stop kinda switch as a temp fix?
Does anyone have a wiring diagram of the ignition system? Mainly on the steering column.
Or does anyone know how to wire in a start/run/stop kinda switch as a temp fix?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 641
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From: TX
A stuck key LOL I would freak out but if by now you can turn the key, can you start it in neutral? this is somewhat common and it happened to me, I guess the lever doesnt fully return to the park position. also happened to dads '01 f150. Try that and report back
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
The key lock cylinder is shot. He pulled it because he thought that was the original problem. The new cylinder did the same thing. He put the original back in and did something wrong because now we cannot get it out at all and you have to use some force to get the key out.
Right now I have him getting a steering column from the junk yard and I believe we have narrowed the search down to the "trigger wire" that runs between the ignition silonoid (fenderwell near battery) to the key lock cylinder.
Do you happen to know what location this wire plugs into on the "plug under steering column"? The 1 that feeds up to the ignition. It also has the horn on it.
Right now I have him getting a steering column from the junk yard and I believe we have narrowed the search down to the "trigger wire" that runs between the ignition silonoid (fenderwell near battery) to the key lock cylinder.
Do you happen to know what location this wire plugs into on the "plug under steering column"? The 1 that feeds up to the ignition. It also has the horn on it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,783
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
Your problem is probably a combination of Ignition Switch and Ignition Actuator misalignment. The Ignition Switch is shown below, it is the white box w/wires going to it:
Here is a write-up of replacing the actuator in the steering column from another forum: Steering column teardown and ignition actuator replacement in a 1995 (92+ Columns) - FSB Forums
Take a look, many things are covered in that write-up.
Here is a write-up of replacing the actuator in the steering column from another forum: Steering column teardown and ignition actuator replacement in a 1995 (92+ Columns) - FSB Forums
Take a look, many things are covered in that write-up.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Thanks RLA. Do you know which of these wires comes from the "S" location on the solenoid on the firewall near the battery?
My cousin said the wires he saw were black with red and green with orange. there is also another wire that feeds the horn and a 4th wire I'm not sure of.
My cousin said the wires he saw were black with red and green with orange. there is also another wire that feeds the horn and a 4th wire I'm not sure of.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,783
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From: Kentucky
Looks like the Red/Light Blue wire leads to the Starter relay:
Page 2
These diagrams are for a 1995 Bronco, your 1997 F250 should be exactly the same.
Page 2
These diagrams are for a 1995 Bronco, your 1997 F250 should be exactly the same.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
We know the ignition switch was not the cause, but my cousin destroyed the old 1 and now we cannot get it out of the steering column. He is getting a used steering column today to replace the old 1.
Is the actuator part of the steering column or does it get removed when your taking the steering column out?
Is there an official name for the "actuator"?
Is the actuator part of the steering column or does it get removed when your taking the steering column out?
Is there an official name for the "actuator"?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,783
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
We know the ignition switch was not the cause, but my cousin destroyed the old 1 and now we cannot get it out of the steering column. He is getting a used steering column today to replace the old 1.
Is the actuator part of the steering column or does it get removed when your taking the steering column out?
Is there an official name for the "actuator"?
Is the actuator part of the steering column or does it get removed when your taking the steering column out?
Is there an official name for the "actuator"?
Ignition Actuator (92+) old and new style:
Ignition Cylinder w/keys
Ignition Switch
Last edited by rla2005; Feb 11, 2013 at 03:16 PM. Reason: Updated photos for early and later models
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 57
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Thanks RLA. My cousin got the steering column and I'm waiting for him to tell me if the actuator is part of it or not. i'm really hoping we got lucky and its not damaged.
This is driving me nuts, not being there to work on it.
This is driving me nuts, not being there to work on it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 4
From: 8600 ft in Colo
The actuator pictured is for the '91 and earlier trucks. The actuator is the linkage in the column that connects the key cylinder to the actual electrical ignition switch down on the bottom of the column. In the later trucks the actuator is a 2-piece plastic assembly. The 2 pieces allow for a tilt column. Ford used the same column for all the later trucks, and just disabled the tilt mechanism on non-tilt columns... The actuator assembly is inside the column, and will be in the replacement. (whether it's good or not is another question...)
If you send me a PM with your email, I'll send you a .pdf with replacement instructions...
If you send me a PM with your email, I'll send you a .pdf with replacement instructions...
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 57
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Thanks PHY. He sent me a picture of the column and it looks like everything is there. I've got my fingers crossed that once in the truck fires right up. I'll PM you with my email.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 57
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Another hiccup..... My cousin just checked the connectors to see if everything would plug and play. He says the connectors are different.
My truck is a 97 old body style 5.8/e4od no tilt column. The "new" steering column supposedly came out of a 94 f150 with tilt... i don't know anything else about it.
My truck is a 97 old body style 5.8/e4od no tilt column. The "new" steering column supposedly came out of a 94 f150 with tilt... i don't know anything else about it.