My van is on a truck and will be here in the morning, 2009 E350 SD, it was stolen in Chicago (door cylinder and ignition switch popped) and I live in VA. the shop it was at had been using a screw driver to start it and loaded it on the truck, I received a call just a bit ago that the driver needed to load another vehicle on his truck and can't get my van started or steering unlocked. They are strongly suggesting that I owe another $650 for the lost load, I'm not sure I agree with that, but I do believe if I don't have a way to get it quickly off his car carrier I will owe him something for his time. I am hoping he just grabbed the steering wheel getting out and a turn/jiggle of the wheel and a screwdriver will start and unlock it again, another scenario in my head is same as above but he twisted too hard on the screwdriver trying to turn it and broke something while the wheel was locked. does anyone have suggestions without pulling the steering wheel off (I don't have a puller here ) if I take the shroud off can I get access to the rod to start it that way? Unlock the steering wheel? any suggestions appreciated. also any links to photos or diagrams to exactly where the parts might be that I need to access. I'm sure I can do it, but I don't want to spend 1/2 hour fooling with it with an already mad driver. (I explained the whole situation when I ordered the haul, the ignition cyl pulled, start with screwdriver etc), I even paid for the shop it was at to install a new battery to avoid any problems I could from here in VA.

 

The actual ignition switch is somewhat easily removed with two Torx headed bolts holding it to the steering column main structure, shown here:




There will be a cable & connector attached naturally, this image of a column not installed. Moving the short stem sticking through the switch on the unseen side can start the van without any problems.

ALSO the shift lock solenoid might not be releasing due a blown fuse, F5 10 amp in the inside fuse box---that's happened to me without any known cause or warning---simple fix.

I'm not sure why operating the push rod with a screwdriver would cause any damage preventing the column unlocking. Typically there's not a lot of travel with that rod, its excursion being limited due how its installed inside the column main structure.

The steering column complete removal requires just a 13mm deep well socket to remove (4) nuts and the bolt holding the lower U-joint to the intermediate steering shaft, steering wheel removal not needed at that time.

BE AWARE the SRS and air bag system can be triggered if not disabled first; remove the negative battery cable first and wait about 15 minutes. I did say NEGATIVE--that's the recommended factory manual method.

I also have more than a few photos of the steering column pretty much disassembled---you might be able to compare a working column with yours to see what might need adjusted or repaired.

This is a fairly easy service task all things considered. I hope you get this no-start situation resolved ASAP.

Once the van has arrived here's a photo link: http://s184.photobucket.com/user/JWA...?sort=3&page=1 They're in no particular order, feel free to ask any questions if they're not usable.

Good luck with all this---sounds tense at the moment.

 

Thank You! once I have it off this guys truck I'll have plenty of time, I just don't want to hold him up any longer than necessary

 

Any help I can be PM me or post here----hope this is an easy and cheap fix!

 

to save time (I was able to get steering unlocked but not started or gear lever to move. I removed driveshaft and we got it off his truck quickly. he turned out to be a really good guy and no problems. Thanks for your help! I got a really good deal on an entire steering column so bought that should have it soon.

 

That was a great, fast solution. Reminds me of the story of a box truck stuck in an underpass. Traffic was backed up, cops were scratching their heads and some drivers who fancied themselves as "engineers" stood by and stroked their chins. A child spoke out and said," let some of the air out of the tires". That was all it took.

 

Good news indeed!

Keep your old column unless the purchase included a core charge. Never know when those extra parts might come in handy down the road.

Having swapped these out and disassembled them to see what's inside they're fairly robust, not too prone to failures like you describe. Oddly enough though I've seen with issues are almost always centered around the key lock cylinder more so than the column inner parts.

 

Entire column with Key $50, since this had been stolen and they ripped so much apart I figured I'll have every part I need now to fix no matter what I run into in the column. Just seemed like the quickest easiest way

 

Yep, big time! Good price on the column too--think I paid close to that at a DIY scrap yard.

Keep in mind if you don't already know the lock cylinders can be replaced or re-keyed to match the existing door locks. If that's not an issue no biggie, I've always found it easier to have just one key for everything.