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Jan 12, 2005 | 04:34 PM

happycat45

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Confused

I have a 1985 conversion van with a 351 automatic.
Two days ago I started it and the starter would now dis-engage
I turned off the ignition and removed the key and it was still cranking.
I then unpluged the wiring from the ignition switch and re-attached the battery cable and it still would crank itself.
I also installed a new starter selinoid.

Any ideas?

Jan 13, 2005 | 04:17 PM

happycat45

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I got it figured out.
The ignition switch was sticking and fried the selonoid.
Replaced them both; works peachy now!

Jan 13, 2005 | 05:03 PM

ken04

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From: Vancouver Wash USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by happycat45

I got it figured out.
The ignition switch was sticking and fried the selonoid.
Replaced them both; works peachy now!

FYI, Ford ignition switches are not great to begin with. If you have a heavy set of keys on your key ring it will wear the switch out double-fast. What normally happens is you lose the ability to have the switch lock, so anything will work as a key, or you can pull the keys out while the ignition is on, or they will even fall out. The reverse is the switch sticks between positions, like you had happen. Get a keyring that lets the bulk of your keys separate, like a valet key ring I think they used to be called. Use one key in the ignition and you won't have this problem as much. Of course your 85 has gone a long time in between switches, so I'd count myself lucky. But I'll bet it's been replaced before, Ken

Jan 21, 2005 | 07:27 PM

happycat45

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Thanks for the info; I'm bad for having way too many keys on my ring,
I have keys to 12 company vehicles, my 3 cars and two houses.
I think I'll split them into smaller groups.