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Dec 9, 2005 | 08:35 PM

BIG-COUNTRY

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: south GA

got a question

has any body ever changed the egnition on a 81 ford to turn backwards so that the radio comes on and dont drain the battery ?????? my buddy has a chebby and he turns his backwards and he can listen to his radio for hours.has anybody ever done this??THANKS

Dec 9, 2005 | 09:34 PM

hotrod48

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: OK

I can turn my ignition switch backwards and listen to the radio in my 81 F-100.

hotrod48

Dec 10, 2005 | 12:35 AM

Ford51

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From: Garland Tx

I dont believe my '82 goes backwards either.

Dec 10, 2005 | 03:23 AM

fellro86

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Marengo, Iowa

My 86 does that, it may be that your ignition switch is out of adjustment, or partially failed. That actually is the ACC or accessory position, for just that reason. I haven't heard of them not having that capability from the factory, but have seen where they get to where the switch won't let you turn it back like that. Even my old 75 and 77 have that capability. My father's first 84 could, the one he is running right now doesn't but the switch is out of position, we have to push the button under the column to just turn the engine off (manual transmission has a button under the column to prevent accidentally turnintg the key all the way back, I guess to keep from locking the steering wheel)

Last edited by fellro86; Dec 10, 2005 at 03:28 AM.

Dec 10, 2005 | 08:50 AM

BIG-COUNTRY

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From: south GA

how could i fix it ??

Dec 10, 2005 | 09:18 AM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

replace the switch, the one down under the dash, you have to drop the column a bit to get at the 2 little bolts that hold it on, then just unplug it, position the key at off, bolt it down, plug it in. It isn't uncommon for these switches to fail, and aren't too expensive, around $20 the last time I bought one. Ford used to have a recall on them due to failure, but they would cause a fire. I've seen the results of one doing that, on an 85, totally burned the truck and trailer load of hay, another was just a simple meltdown on an 88.