my new ignition switch came in today my question is how do i get the old one out ?? thanks

 

If you mean the switch actuator with the key, put the key in and turn it to acc push a paper clip in the hole in the plate, turn a little bit more and it will come out. The switch itself is located further down the steering cloumn and is held in by a couple of bolts. Disc battery first.

 

what if it wont turn to acc? can i turn it like im gonna crank the engine and then do the paper clip? what excaly am i trying to push with the paper clip?? thats why i got the new switch cause i cant turn it to acc .. thanks

 

BIG-COUNTRY, did you purchase a new ignition cylinder or an ignition switch for your '81 F100?

 

cylinder i think , it came with new keys (i got the one that u turn to crank the engine) sorry i aint to good with the names of stuff

 

BIG-COUNTRY, That would be the ignition cylinder.

Do you need instructions to remove the ignition cylinder?

And, do you have tilt-wheel and/or column shift automatic?

EDIT: I just found a paragraph in my book that notes:
The following procedure (to remove ignition cylinder) pertains to a vehicle with a functional cylinder and keys, etc.

However, the instructions do say to turn the ign. cyl. to the "on" position to remove.

If you still want those instructions to remove/install the ign. cy., let me know.

 

yea i need to know how to remove the old one, and how to reinstall the new one. no it dont have a tilt wheel,and it is a automatic with the colum shifter.

 

It'll take a bit. I'm a very slow typer.

 

Removal:
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

2. Remove the steering wheel trim pad and steering wheel. (gonna need a steering wheel puller)

3. Place the gearshift in PARK, and turn the lock cylinder with the ignition key to ON position.

4. Place a 3.17mm (1/8 inch) diameter wire pin or small drift punch in the hole located inside the column near the base of the lock cylinder housing and depress the retaining pin while pulling out on the lock cylinder to remove it from the column housing.

Installation:
1. To install the lock cylinder, turn the lock cylinder to the ON position and depress the retaining pin, then insert the lock cylinder into its housing in the flange casting. Assure that the cylinder is fully seated and aligned into the interlocking washer before turning the key to the OFF position. This action will permit the cylinder retaining pin to extend into the cylinder casting hole.

2. Using the ignition key rotate the lock cylinder to insure correct mechanical operation in all postitions.

3. Install the steering wheel and trim pads.

4. Connect the battery ground cable.

5. Check for proper start in PARK or Neutral. Also check to make sure that the start circuit cannot be activated in the DRIVE and REVERSE positions.

 

thanks alot sierra ben .. ill let ya know how it turns out

 

Cool. Let me know.

I also have an 81 F series truck. (F150, 4.9L T18 tranny)

96,000 miles on your truck? That's low.

 

well sierraben i got it in it took me awhile but i did it. now the thing is i can turn the key backwards and listen to the radio BUT after a little while it still runs my battery down what all else do i need to change to keep it from dieing so quickly?? a new battery?

 

BIG-COUNTRY, how long is a little while, when you have the radio on?

Is it a stock radio, or do you have one of those 5,000 watt car stereos?

Is the battery old?

Could be that the battery is on its way out.

Is there a place where you can have the battery checked out to see if it does need to be replaced?

Other than that, hard to tell.

 

well after i got the cylinder in i turned it backwards and let the radio play for about 20 min to see how it works, and when i tryed to start it the battery was dead. i got just a ordinary cd player nothing fancy. when i bought the truck the guy said he just put a new battery in (interstate battery)and that was about a year ago,but i have forgot to turn the headlights off alot when i get out of my truck and the battery has run dead several times, and ive herd this shortens the battery life.ill go get it checked tommorow

 

I was having the same problem with a 95 F-150, it happened 3 times, and turned out to be the battery each time. One of the battery cells would go bad or break, reducing the reserve capacity of the battery. It had enough power to start the truck right up, but if I ran the radio for more than 20-30 minutes, I would have to jump it. I managed to get a free battery each time(still under warranty), but I would have liked to try a different brand.