Ignition sticking
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Ignition sticking
Sorry guys,
I asked this in another section and I don't think it was the right one. Sorry for the repost.
Got a 1985 F350 6.9l ton truck. I keep burning up starters and I'm thinking that the ignition switch is the culprit. I have to manually turn the switch back as it does not return by itself after starting the truck. This is a new switch as I had replaced the old one thinking that would fix it. I was wondering if someone may know where or what could be making it stick like that.
I asked this in another section and I don't think it was the right one. Sorry for the repost.
Got a 1985 F350 6.9l ton truck. I keep burning up starters and I'm thinking that the ignition switch is the culprit. I have to manually turn the switch back as it does not return by itself after starting the truck. This is a new switch as I had replaced the old one thinking that would fix it. I was wondering if someone may know where or what could be making it stick like that.
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From: Virginia
The grease gets old and thick in the steering column in these trucks. It's a very common problem. Turning the key back and wiggling it a little bit became a habit for me when I had my old 1980, and I found myself doing it in other cars I drove.
Did you replace the ignition switch down on top of the column under the dash, or did you replace the mechanical tumbler that the key goes into?
Did you replace the ignition switch down on top of the column under the dash, or did you replace the mechanical tumbler that the key goes into?
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I just replaced the cylinder the key goes into. I have been turning the key back religiously but this makes 3 Brand new Napa starters I have replaced and they are getting a little frustrated with me. But actually the last one lasted about 7 months.
Guess I need to break the column down and inspect. But just wanted to see if there are some common things to check first
Thanks Franklin I'm in Front Royal. Looks like we gonna get some nasty weather this weekend
Guess I need to break the column down and inspect. But just wanted to see if there are some common things to check first
Thanks Franklin I'm in Front Royal. Looks like we gonna get some nasty weather this weekend
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From: Virginia
You can try the ignition switch. I remember finally curing my truck by accident, but I can't remember what did it, since I replaced the tumbler and the ignition switch through the years. If you do not want to take the column apart, you can spray wd40 into the keyhole and it will work it's way down in the workings of the column and may help it. Get some rags and spray a bunch in there, and sop up what drips out of the bottom of the column. It saves a lot of work.
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On one of my trucks I had to adjust the switch a bit. If I remember correctly the switch itself has slots in the mounting ears and you can adjust it so On for the tumbler is the same as On for the switch. Otherwise On for the tumbler might still be Start on the switch. But, even if they are perfectly lined up when the grease won't let the tumbler come back it sticks in Start.
By the way, I've spent a bit of time in your neck of the woods. Used to work for DuPont - until they outsourced their IT and I went with CSC. Knew a lot of people at that plant.
By the way, I've spent a bit of time in your neck of the woods. Used to work for DuPont - until they outsourced their IT and I went with CSC. Knew a lot of people at that plant.
Cargo Master
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From: New Zealand
On one of mine I took the switch (the electrical switch, not the tumbler) off the column, cleaned it out with aerosol contact cleaner, & lubed it up with dielectric grease........made a huge difference.
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On one of my trucks I had to adjust the switch a bit. If I remember correctly the switch itself has slots in the mounting ears and you can adjust it so On for the tumbler is the same as On for the switch. Otherwise On for the tumbler might still be Start on the switch. But, even if they are perfectly lined up when the grease won't let the tumbler come back it sticks in Start.
By the way, I've spent a bit of time in your neck of the woods. Used to work for DuPont - until they outsourced their IT and I went with CSC. Knew a lot of people at that plant.
By the way, I've spent a bit of time in your neck of the woods. Used to work for DuPont - until they outsourced their IT and I went with CSC. Knew a lot of people at that plant.
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From: Northeast, OK
How's this? The switch itself is pretty much in the center, between the two arms of the bracket that holds the column to the dash. So the switch is going to be on top of the column. And you can see the actuating rod that comes from the tumbler.
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From: SE Michigan
So for a "switch-key-hard-to-turn" condition, what are we trying to lube or free up?
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From: Northeast, OK
Hard so say as it could be the tumbler or it could be either. But, I think the tumbler is the usual culprit. Some have loosened it up with WD40. However, sometimes it is the switch and you shouldn't use WD40 on it. If you really want to clean and lube it use TV tuner cleaner soporific similar as it is meant for electrical contacts.