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A few days ago I couldn't remove the key from my 81 F100 300 six. Looking at the steering column I noticed a small button near the turn signal lever sticking out so I pressed it in and the key came out. Now the only way to remove the key is to push that button in. Is there a way to keep the button depressed without wrapping electrical tape around the steering column?
Is there a way to keep the button depressed without wrapping electrical tape around the steering column?
Many years ago, I rigged up a simple doohickey from a piece of coat hanger wire. IIRC, it’s roughly a square shape and it holds that foolish button where it’s needed to remove the key. It’s pretty well hidden underneath. Works great.
A few days ago I couldn't remove the key from my 81 F100 300 six. Looking at the steering column I noticed a small button near the turn signal lever sticking out so I pressed it in and the key came out. Now the only way to remove the key is to push that button in. Is there a way to keep the button depressed without wrapping electrical tape around the steering column?
That is part of driving a stick. It is a safety feature to keep one of the passengers or you, from turning the key to off while you are moving. That would lock the steering wheel and you would no longer be able to steer the truck and keep it in the road. By putting one hand on the button, and the other turning the key, that makes sure you really want to turn the key off and lock the wheel. I suppose it would be a problem if you have some sort of physical handicap.
That is part of driving a stick. It is a safety feature to keep one of the passengers or you, from turning the key to off while you are moving. That would lock the steering wheel and you would no longer be able to steer the truck and keep it in the road. By putting one hand on the button, and the other turning the key, that makes sure you really want to turn the key off and lock the wheel. I suppose it would be a problem if you have some sort of physical handicap.
What I don’t understand is why did this suddenly start working when l never had to fiddle with it before?
Mindful of Dave’s observation of the safety function, here’s my mod I made circa 1992. Probably one of the first changes I made, as that extra feature sure was annoying. Never had a problem with it all these years.
I made it fancier than needed, so it would stay put all by itself:
Here is an installed view. Fortunately I had a wide selection of rechargeable work lights for good lighting:
Rather than bend up that fancy shape, a straight piece of rod would probably work just as well, with a little black tape to keep it in place.
Mindful of Dave’s observation of the safety function, here’s my mod I made circa 1992. Probably one of the first changes I made, as that extra feature sure was annoying. Never had a problem with it all these years.
I made it fancier than needed, so it would stay put all by itself:
Here is an installed view. Fortunately I had a wide selection of rechargeable work lights for good lighting:
Rather than bend up that fancy shape, a straight piece of rod would probably work just as well, with a little black tape to keep it in place.
Hmmmm, apparently the "button" or whatever it's called must have been dislodged somehow because until a few days ago I didn’t even know it was there. If Ford didn't design a way to keep it pushed in I'm sure I can fabricate something non-obtrusive to keep it in so I don't have to fool with it.
Thanks for your help,
Glenn
Call me crazy but I dont see a problem pushing in the button to remove the key
Dave ----
It's not a problem, it's an annoyance because I didn’t have to do it before. Why? Obviously something changed, but what? If it stayed in before, why can't it be set to stay in now? I was hoping that Ford had some type of feature like rotating the key backwards while holding the button in that would lock it in that position. I have a friend with an 81 F100 300ci six and I've used it a few times and never had to fiddle with the key release.
Did you say your truck had not been used for a bit?
If so wounder it dirt & grease made it stick and not that you are using the truck and it is getting warmer it popped out?
I think it was Karl that said the button is only on manual transmission trucks?
Both of mine are manual and they had buttons.
Dave ----
If it stayed in before, why can't it be set to stay in now?...
Lawyers.
Most likely, some mouth-breather managed to remove the key while driving, caused an accident, and there was a lawsuit.
Why was your release button staying put previously? Probably a little corrosion or dried grease on the linkage and then it just happened to get bumped and free up.
Did you say your truck had not been used for a bit?
If so wounder it dirt & grease made it stick and not that you are using the truck and it is getting warmer it popped out?
I think it was Karl that said the button is only on manual transmission trucks?
Both of mine are manual and they had buttons.
Dave ----
Yes, the guy I bought the truck from wasn't driving it much prior to my purchasing it in February and it is a 4 on the floor stick. My friends 81 is an automatic so I'll have to look at it the next time I see him to see if he has the key release button. I wonder what the logic was behind installing it on stick shift trucks and not on automatics?
Most likely, some mouth-breather managed to remove the key while driving, caused an accident, and there was a lawsuit.
Why was your release button staying put previously? Probably a little corrosion or dried grease on the linkage and then it just happened to get bumped and free up.
That makes sense so I'm going to have to fabricate something to keep it in. Thanks.
I wonder what the logic was behind installing it on stick shift trucks and not on automatics?
Not sure if this is true. If it is, I think the automatic shift lever mechanism has an interlock so the key can only be removed in Park. That would mean the vehicle is stationary and it's safe to remove the key. Or if not stationary, the rear wheels aren't turning anymore and you're skidding uncontrollably on your way to the crash site, so having the steering locked is the least of your worries.
Not sure if this is true. If it is, I think the automatic shift lever mechanism has an interlock so the key can only be removed in Park. That would mean the vehicle is stationary and it's safe to remove the key. Or if not stationary, the rear wheels aren't turning anymore and you're skidding uncontrollably on your way to the crash site, so having the steering locked is the least of your worries.
That makes the most sense. Now that you mention it a lot of cars are made that way.
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