I am wondering if it is too late to get this addressed. I purchased my truck from my Dad and he told me that this never got taken care of. I think it has something to do with the ignition (info from searching other posts).

I want to go to the dealer to have it checked out, because I think I'm having trouble with my ignition. Will the dealer tell me that it's too old of a recall to address? I believe it was recalled in 1995, and my Dad was in between moves up to Oregon from California and his paperwork was missplaced. Swept under the rug, and forgotten about.

My problem with my ignition is that it takes a little back and forth action sometimes turning the key to start the truck. There are some electrical components not working correctly as well.

The truck idles very low as well (800 rpm) and when I rev it up it revs up and then it drops below idle speed and dies unless I give it more fuel. It sometimes dies on me between shifts on the highway if I let the rpms get below idle speed ( I have to shift fast, but it is hard to make a turn or slow down to stop with it shutting down).

I think I have problems, (other than what a doctor can address) and my Dad believes it stems all from the faulty ignition. He did replace the actuator rod in the column recently, but he says that it needs more attention. He says that this area controls a lot of the electrical and 12 volt systems on the truck.

His thinking is that since the rpm controller or whatever controls the idle speed is controlled by a 12 volt part that is being affected by this problem with the ignition switch.

I don't know too much about a desiel truck, but I am learning and am willing to learn more.

Thank you for your help...

 

Are you talking about the 90 F350 7.3L truck in you sig?
Warm idle speed should be 650 - 700 RPM
Cold idle speed should be 800 - 850 RPM

The 1990 7.3 IDI diesel only has two things electrical involved in running once the truck is started;
1. The fuel shut off solenoid supplies fuel to the injector pump.
2. The fast idle solenoid raises the cold idle speed untill engine is at operating temp

I would be looking for a plugged fuel filter or leak in the suction side of the fuel system (letting air in the system) or a bad transfer pump.
You did not say what else is not working right or how many miles are on the truck either.

 

The Ignition switch is down on the steering column , the key just pushes a rod to activate it. A little wd 40 will quite often free it up. you can remove the switch thats held on by three nuts. and then spray it. good luck

 

I will be looking into this when I get up in the morning. I work nights, and have just gotten in, so I really want to delve into this right now, but my neighbors might get offended...

I thought about this after I posted and it seems logical. As for the other things wrong, it's just the map lights, and door lock switches are acting up. My Dad thought this was all inclusive with the ignition switch problems. Could be, but I really don't care about those things as much as being able to drive the truck.

I have 192k on the truck with a rebuilt engine @ 50k.

You know what, come to think of it, I did allow the rear tank to go just a little below 1/8 of a tank before switching over to the front tank before I filled up last. Maybe I picked up some sediment that has clogged my filter...

Thanks for your help...

Oh, and as for the Ranger, the insurance company owns it now...