It has 199L miles; I replaced the switch about 3 months ago w/one from O'reilly's. It operated w/no problems. I was replacing Left power window & turned switch several times to adjust track, etc; w/no problems. Then wham; I cannot turn the switch. Key will remove easily; turned steering wheel to make sure it was not in the locked position; made sure in was in Park. Will not turn; any suggestions?

 

If its the original lock cylinder you might have an issue with that---is the key fairly new and in good condition---do you have another key to try? Since it won't turn the normal way to remove it won't work as that would be one way to determine if the issue is with the key cylinder or something inside the column.

Not sure what you're calling the "switch" but if its the electrical portion under the column with a wire bundle connected I'd remove that to make sure its not preventing the key cylinder from rotating.

If the other key and/or temporarily removing the sliding ignition switch doesn't work you may have to drill the key cylinder out and replace it. If that's the case I've found high quality Ford locks, keys etc from this eBay Seller: Ford Lock Parts. Over the past few years I've bought a few things, they claim to buy from the same supplier Ford uses.

HTH

 

I replaced the ignition cylinder; new keys, etc. I have had no problems. I tried all the keys; they will insert & remove easily; but will not turn the cylinder. I was hesitant to drill out the retainer so that I could remove it.

 

There is a small hole in the cylinder. Insert a drill bit into it and the whole cylinder will come out. Get a new one from Ford,not an aftermarket.There is probably a video on u-tube how to do it. Mine broke on a sunday night in west virginia/I took a pipe wrench to it and got home by using a screw driver.

 

Thanks: I am going to go that route.

 

Well: bored out the hole where the release pin is located; rotated steering wheel to make sure it was not locking; attached some vise grips & tried to remove cylinder & no luck. Something is stuck; cannot figure it out.

 

As you probably already know this part where the key cylinder fits rotates pushing a rod inside the column to not only actuate the ignition sliding contact switch but pushes other parts to lock/unlock the steering wheel. If the inside rod cannot move it would prevent the key cylinder from turning and create your problem.

If you have the key cylinder out and can see this:



try turning the rectangular opening with a large screwdriver---if everything inside the column is working as it should that will turn easily. If it doesn't you'll more than likely have to remove the entire column from the van and see what's wrong. This isn't a difficult operation; 4 nuts holding the column to the dashboard, 4 electrical connectors, one "string" for the gear position indicator and the universal joint at the bottom of the steering shaft. You don't need to remove the steering wheel or multi-function switch.

I have a ton of photos I can post to my Imgur account if that might help you should this problem be inside the column. Here's the link to those images: Imgur Column Link That post might not be super helpful because I don't know how to arrange the photos in a gallery rather than the "stacked" version it currently displays. Sorry 'bout that.

I've also subscribed to this thread and will check back later this day to see if there is anything I can offer.

I would double check the key cylinder though---I've never used any other brand than Ford or a high-quality replacement---not sure O-Reilly's would be my first choice.

HTH

 

Sounds like a stuck cylinder pin to me. Try using a blank uncut key and insert it all the way then jiggle it.. then using the correct key it may unstick the pin. You might, if that doesn't get it use a couple of drops of light machine oil to loosen any grit in there.. DO NOT use WD40.. it contains grit and woul d long term make the problem worse.