Lately there was a little different feel about the ignition switch when I started my truck. Yesterday it was a little worst than that, the key turned, but nothing else inside the steering column did. I can feel some resistance, but nothing is catching. I can unlock the steering wheel (thankfully), but I have no electricity at all. Is this something fixable at the steering wheel end, or down at the floor board area?

1988 F150

 

Sounds like it might be the key assembly. I had that hapen to my "88" 150 and I had to replace the key assembly. My key got hard to turn, like it wanted to bind up but when I replaced it , it worked fine. I think you will have to take the steering wheel off to replace the key assy.

 

Pulled the key assembly out, and it is in good condition. Replaced it and began moving the key back and forth. Moved it to the ACC position, then back to the OFF position, and now it will not move to the Start position at all. Unfortunately I cannot unlock the steering wheel either. This is a little deeper than I'd hoped. Any suggestions?

 

First, do a search on the forums for your problem.
I had that same issue and found a lot of help on the forums.

Here is your problem IF you have tilt steering.

There is a rod that activates the a box that is bolted to the top of the sterring column.
That rod simply moves back and forth.
However, in a tilt steering column, there is a really weird looking hook piece that the has teeth on one end and a hook on the other with a tiny rod on the end of the hook.
The key turns the teeth, those teeth mesh with the teeth on the weird hooked rod, that in turn pushes the rod that has a hook on the end also that moves a selector in a slot on that box bolted to the top of the steering column.

Chances are, the weird looking hooked rod with the teeth is broken in half. This is very common.

You have three choices, the first two I currently have in operation in two seperate trucks (this hooked piece has broken 5 times in 3 different fords on me, mostly in the winter).

1 - Drop the steering column, relocate the box bolted to the top of the steering column to a convient location and move that lever (slotted hole, you'll see it) with a flat head screw driver to start and shut off your vehicle.
2 - replace the broken piece (most likey the weird hook piece).
3 - replace the steering column. (approx 90 - 110 CDN)

If you choose to replace the hooked piece, I am going to suggest this....
1 - It can be done (I have replaced this dammed piece 4 times).
2 - You will have to pull the steering wheel and remove pieces all the way into the column.
3 - Haynes manual will only get you so far.... I like to refer to my own experiences as 'picking up where the haynes manual leaves off'. - yes you can quote me...
4 - This will take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on frustration levels.
5 - Cost $13 CDN at a ford dealership.

Sorry, after all the times I have replaced the part, I still don't know what the heck it is called!! I just refer to it as that 'hooked piece that breaks in a tilt steering column'. Dealerships carry it, and can possibly provide a print out of the components (maybe that can help).

If you choose to just reloacte the box, I am going to suggest leaving the key portion in, and removing the rod that connects to the box.
It is far easier to NOT have to explain to the police why and how you can start your vehicle with a screw driver with at least a 'dummy key' dangling in the ignition. Alas, I don't have the luxury of even having a door key for that truck, let alone an key cylinder to insert a dummy key into.

Again, do a search.
Also - if you don't have tilt steering, it will be different, but I assume there is a longer rod that is bent. Never having a truck that did not have tilt and have this happen to, I cannot help you there.

AHHHH, one thing I forgot... No vehicle I have done this on has an air bag. I never tried with an air bag in the steering column, so I cannot help you there.

Let me know if any of this helps, and next time I break it, I will think about making a step by step guide to replacing this darn hooked piece.

 

Ironpants, Thanks for all the info, it is a tilt; I did a search prior to this post, but came up empty. I'll try a different search. If I can gain access by removing the wheel and pulling parts that’s seams easy enough, if I get the name of the hook thing I'll be sure get that to you.

 

Thanks man.
Actually, if you choose to rip the steering column down, don't break any of those plastic pieces for the turn signals.

Other then that, it is pretty straight forward...

 

OK, Got it home just now, and the trouble is were the ignition rod connects to something behind the dash. The connecting rod is bowing up as I turn the ignition (key).
Do I need to remove the brace below the steering column, and if so will the column need to be supported or not? Cannot find anything in my Chilton’s past the connecting rod, any idea what it connects to?

 

The part that is broken is what he said its called the Ignition Switch Actuator fairly simple, time consuming fix, my suggestion is to start tearing into it and, REMEMBER where everything goes you only have like 2 pins to take out of the side of the column. and a couple more other thing you have to remember but its not too bad, sorry i couldnt be of more help but it was like a year ago when i did it. It cost me lik $15 for the part plus like $15 for the steering wheel puller

 

Thanks for the info, did you get the parts from a parts store or a dealer?

 

Replaced the ignition switch, the rod had beat it up pretty good. When I was removing the switch a small piece fell down, it looks like a piece of an electrical plug possible a jumper. Also the plug has a melted area around one receptacle, I plugged it in, and hoped for the best. Now the key turns just fine, but do not have any electricity to my wipers, A/C fan etc. My Chilton’s book is very poor in the electrical schematic area, is there a web site with a better schematic? I need to find a possible blown fuse, and or if the plug is damage.