I have a 1990 Bronco that doesn't do anything when I turn the key. It starts if I operate the ignition bar manually. That problem is a broken actuator. However, when I started it by pushing the bar it wouldn't shift into gear.
. My question is : Is there another problem than the broken ignition actuator like a neutral safety switch or something?

 

The actuator is easy enough to replace. The part was less than $20 and took me about an hour to replace the one in my ‘87.

What transmission?

 

the problem is the broken actuator. there is a bar on the actuator that prevents the shifter from moving in the off position. when the actuator breaks, the bar does not move preventing you from moving the column shifter.

 

Ahh...I see. Thank you so much. I wish I had joined sooner because I've been studying diagrams for too long and, although they were helpful, I had more questions than answers. This group has helped more in 3 days than diagrams did in three weeks! I just have to find a tilt lever and I can put this thing back together. Thanks again!

 

Tilt lever? The parts inside the column? I’m not sure if anything is available new. You will most likely have to grab a column or the parts you need from a junkyard.

 

No. That's fine. But I dont have the external lever that controls the tilt function. I guess I dont know the proper term. And I dont feel like diagrams this morning. Lol. What is the proper name?

 

So you don’t have a turn signal stalk? On a ‘90 the tilt function is accessed by pushing the turn signal stalk forward ie toward the dashboard.

 

Hmm...I guess somethings going on there too. Only my right blinker works. But the inside of the column has a lot of gunk in it. I plan on cleaning as much of it out as I can. I wasn't planning on replacing that wiring bundle but I guess I better.

 

the turn signal switch is pretty easy to replace, and fairly cheap too.
$39.95 from 1A auto https://www.1aauto.com/ford-bronco-f...yABEgLiDvD_BwE
what i do is check to make sure wires are the same, then pull the wires up and cut the old switch off. unpin the plug off the new switch.
tape new wires to the old wires, and slowly pull the wires down through the column while feeding the new through the top.
once down bottom, untape the new from the old and repin the plug using the old one as a guide for what color wire goes to what pin..

 

Thank you for all the info. You've been a great help. I was excited to drive the bronco today but looks like it'll be tomorrow. But the lock cylinder, actuator, ignition switch and turn signal switch will be all new. And ill pass along the knowledge when the opportunity presents itself.

 

there are two ways to do these repairs. in truck, or out of truck.
out of truck:
chock at least one wheel both front and back.
disconnect battery.
disconnect the steering couplet to steering box shaft by removing the pinch bolt under the rag joint.
pop the shift linkage off the shift arm near firewall.
remove the lower dash covers. one pops off, the other is screwed on. i want to say the right side of the wheel pops off the left side is screwed. wiper **** is pinch clip retained. using a dental pick, feel around the shaft of the **** for an indentation. stick the pick to the clip to pull it away from the switch shaft a bit and it will slide rite off.
headlight switch has a pushbutton on it. reach behind the dash and feel around the switch, you will find the release. pull headlight **** out to headlight position, then push the release and pull the **** and shaft out.
then you can remove the lower dash panel.
now find the shift indicator string, and remove it from the column. (if you forget to do this step, you will have to replace the $50 indicator)
remove the 6 or so bolts holding the column to the firewall.
remove the 4 bolts holding the column mount brackets to the dash.
pull the complete column out of the truck.
this will allow you to also replace any bearings in the column, or the shift tube if needed.

OR
in truck:
disconnect battery. remove lower dash panels as described above.
disconnect shift indicator.
drop column by removing the 4 mount bolts and drop steering wheel to driver seat.
look down along top of column to ignition switch.
unplug switch. using 7/16 wrench, or small 1/4 drive ratchet with 7/16 socket, unbolt ignition switch, and put new one in same was as old one came out and snug bolts. plug in.
bolt column back up to dash.
remove the screws holding the wheel front cover.
remove wheel bolt.
remove wheel.
then start digging down to replace the actuator, key cylinder, and directional switch.
here is a step by step on replacing the actuator, by member Jas88:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7764350

 

Thank you for the help and the link. This information/instruction is invaluable. I cant even guess how much time it's saving me.

 

first time i did it was in the blind back around 1990 or so. took me close to three hours to change the actuator.
i can do it now in about 1 1/2 hours in truck.
ignition switch, first one took about 1 1/2 hours do to going into it blind. i can do it now in under 1/2 hour.
back then there was no internet to look for shortcuts or help.
heck, beck then the dealership mechanics did not even know how to do it.
they heard i had done a few at my shop and sent guys over for me to show them the shortcuts.
but that was back when dealerships hired real mechanics, not computer reading parts changers.

 

Those were the days....when the guy at the parts store knew how to do almost anything and always lined you out on the best way to go about your project. I had a kid tell me that the spare tire rack on the bronco was aftermarket because he couldn't find it in the computer.