Sticky ignition switch
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 47
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Sticky ignition switch
All this is my first real tech post, but I'm in a real pickle...
A few months ago I bought a 1980 F250....
My ignition switch is real gummy and does not always spring back to the "on" position.
Wasn't really a problem till it started getting cold and it now it doesn't spring back enough to disengage the starter.....
I read that might be a problem with the ignition actuator, but that appears to be the problem with 'tilt' steering columns....mine does not tilt.
I have started to take apart the steering column and have gotten to the point of removing the signal contraption and I have removed the ignition switch.
Now I'm a little unsure what to do next... I think I need to remove the ring on the shaft.....but then I'm a little confused about gear down inside of here the ignition switch came out of.
Also in some videos it looks like you have to disconnect the ignition rod before the next piece of the steering column will come off.
Any help would be grateful!!!
A few months ago I bought a 1980 F250....
My ignition switch is real gummy and does not always spring back to the "on" position.
Wasn't really a problem till it started getting cold and it now it doesn't spring back enough to disengage the starter.....
I read that might be a problem with the ignition actuator, but that appears to be the problem with 'tilt' steering columns....mine does not tilt.
I have started to take apart the steering column and have gotten to the point of removing the signal contraption and I have removed the ignition switch.
Now I'm a little unsure what to do next... I think I need to remove the ring on the shaft.....but then I'm a little confused about gear down inside of here the ignition switch came out of.
Also in some videos it looks like you have to disconnect the ignition rod before the next piece of the steering column will come off.
Any help would be grateful!!!
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,940
Likes: 4,125
From: Angier, NC
Vokk, hold on before ripping more of it apart as it may not be anything up top.
That rod goes down the column to the IGN switch that from what I have seen posted is bolted on the lower top of the column.
I would unbolt this and for now remove it from the rod. Then try the key to see if it moves freely. I am thinking it will and if so replace the IGN switch part you unbolted as that is gummed up and what pushes the key back off start.
Let us know what you find.
Dave ----
That rod goes down the column to the IGN switch that from what I have seen posted is bolted on the lower top of the column.
I would unbolt this and for now remove it from the rod. Then try the key to see if it moves freely. I am thinking it will and if so replace the IGN switch part you unbolted as that is gummed up and what pushes the key back off start.
Let us know what you find.
Dave ----
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 279
Likes: 3
From: Lincoln, RI
Mine was sticky as well. A healthy amount of Marvel Mystery Oil in the key hole and on the linkage solved my problem. I obviously had to take the steering wheel off to lubricate the linkage though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Here is a link to this subject [found in the sticky section]: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...mechanism.html
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,743
From: Virginia
I would buy a new switch that is down under the dash on top of the column, and drown the upper part of the tumbler assembly with wd40. Wd40 seems to "rejuvenate" the old hard grease that Ford used without washing too much of it out. I did this on my 1980 and it fixed it. I can't really say what helped more since I did both at once, but I have a feeling the new ignition switch did help some.
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