Background;

1992 F-350 Custom
Non tilting column


My ignition tumbler had gotten a little sticky there for a few day, but always worked. The other day it felt really sticky thought the steering was locked, in a rush i grabbed the wheel and turned the key and I heard a "snap", then the truck started. Only now the key free wheels throughout the entire rotation of the ignition tumbler except for the cranking position, which still turns the truck over.

I pulled the tumbler and gear which rotates in order to slide the pin. The plastic pin which parallels the steering column slides freely within by means of a flat head.

The ignition tumbler seems to be in working order when removed from the column and the key comes out. When in the column the tumbler just free spins and the key does not come out.

I can start the truck by pushing the pin down the column towards the ground, but I have no idea what position the ignition is sitting in while the truck is running, however starter only crank until i release the pin as normal. To turn off I pull a 50 amp fuse under the hood.

Im not sure where the problem lie, doesn't seem to be the tumbler, do I need to replace my whole column?

 

Nope, the actual ignition switch is at the bottom of that pin you're sliding around. Do a search, the steps to take apart the column and replace the switch or pin has been well covered in the past. I haven't had one apart, but I'd guess that you either broken that pin, or the part on the ignition tumbler that moves the pin.