80 F150 ignition switch Actuator problem

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Jan 24, 2024 | 06:32 PM

Ronco

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4wd Low

Joined: Feb 2006

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80 F150 ignition switch Actuator problem

My son's old dump run F150 has had 1 problem after another. Now it's the ignition switch. I found that it had basically fallen apart so I put a new one on. Seemed to line up with the key cylinder but found that turning the key failed to move the rod to the switch. Both lower and upper actuators are fine, not broken (This has the tilt wheel) but the little pin on the lower one is not in the upper oblong loop at the end of the rack. How in the H do you connect those two actuators? I've taken the darned column apart about 8,156,000 times now over days and days.....but no joy. I've watch videos about replacing them but nothing about getting them to "mesh".....just " put this back together in reverse of dissembly" not helpful. Geez, I can't believe Ford made such a bogus switch activation linkage!
BTW, I scoured this forum for info and couldn't find anything using the search. Sorry if I've asked this in the wrong area!

Jan 25, 2024 | 05:22 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Where exactly are you having the problem? You can use the numbers in the diagram below to help zero in on the parts.

Jan 25, 2024 | 05:40 PM

Ronco

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Hi Franklin. Thank you SO much! I am talking about 3e715 which I call lower actuator with pin and 3e723, upper actuator. The problem I found was that turning the key only moved the "upper", 3e723. It was not "connected" to 3e715 and therefore, would not move the rod down to initiate a start. It seems to me that the pin on the arm of 3e715 would fit into the "oblong" end of 3e723 but it doesn't.
1. Is it supposed to?
2. HELP!

Thanks,
Ron (an old guy)

Jan 25, 2024 | 06:53 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Start watching this video at about 3:00. You can see him pulling the tumbler, then he takes another piece out and then he pulls 3e723 completely out. He then hooks it onto the 3e715 and it is just hanging there on the pin. Then he works the upper part of the column back together.

Jan 25, 2024 | 09:21 PM

Ronco

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Fantastic! I'll have to tear that upper piece off again, but I'm a pro at that by now! I took the gear out to clean the old grease off so I'll spray all that with silicone lube and should have it! Sor, I can't thank you enough for your help! I am baffled that NONE of the several videos I watched on this ever mentioned hooking those two pieces together BEFORE putting it all back together. This tiny bit of info will help many others down the road! Thank you again!