sticky ignition
sticky ignition
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Edwards Air Force Base
Could be any of three things.
1.) Key switch - Easy to check out. Go to run, then push little pin on underside and it just pops right out. Check to see if it is all gummed up. A little WD-40 should free it up if it is gunky. Replacements are cheap, about $15 I think. I doubt this is it though it will aid in troubleshooting as I talk about at the end....
2.) Rod from Key switch to actual ignition switch binding or gummy. Take shroud off and you will see rod on top of column. Again, WD-40 the heck out of it if gummy and gunked up. Again, I doubt this is it but you will need shroud off anyway to do next thing so no harm and no foul.....
3.) Third and most likely to fail and where I would place my bets. Actual ignition switch is either gunked up, has broken internal spring, or insides of switch cracked in half so half moves and half doesn't (common for some unknown reason on 80s Fords). Either way, pretty much have to replace switch. Again fairly cheap, about $25-$30 or so. To get it out is a bit more of a pain and each truck is different. Some you can just take off panel under steering column, take out two big bolts holding column up and drop the column to get to it. It sits on top of column up under dash. Most trucks don't have enough clearance so you also have to take off gauge shroud, take out gauge cluster and then get to switch. Either way, MAKE SURE you disconnect gauge pointer needle clamp or you will crack the little plastic string trimmer thing and your gear pointer may not work right again. It is a simple screw clamp and a little loop of copper wire on a peg is all and is easy to do.
When checking this out, once you have the key switch out, you can manually push on the little bar going to the actual electric ignition swtich and feel if it is sticking, pushing itself back or not. You should feel resistance when you push down and it should spring back on its own. There is a very strong spring in the electric ignition switch that returns it to run. These go bad often as the internal grease gets all gummy or else the switch cracks in half internally and only half moves creating all kinds of interesting malfunctions depending on where it cracked. Just be glad it isnt' an 85 Mercury Grand Marquis. Our trucks have this switch bolted on, the Mercery had it riveted on and trying to get a drill in there was a real pain. -gggg-
Good Luck,
Lee
1.) Key switch - Easy to check out. Go to run, then push little pin on underside and it just pops right out. Check to see if it is all gummed up. A little WD-40 should free it up if it is gunky. Replacements are cheap, about $15 I think. I doubt this is it though it will aid in troubleshooting as I talk about at the end....
2.) Rod from Key switch to actual ignition switch binding or gummy. Take shroud off and you will see rod on top of column. Again, WD-40 the heck out of it if gummy and gunked up. Again, I doubt this is it but you will need shroud off anyway to do next thing so no harm and no foul.....
3.) Third and most likely to fail and where I would place my bets. Actual ignition switch is either gunked up, has broken internal spring, or insides of switch cracked in half so half moves and half doesn't (common for some unknown reason on 80s Fords). Either way, pretty much have to replace switch. Again fairly cheap, about $25-$30 or so. To get it out is a bit more of a pain and each truck is different. Some you can just take off panel under steering column, take out two big bolts holding column up and drop the column to get to it. It sits on top of column up under dash. Most trucks don't have enough clearance so you also have to take off gauge shroud, take out gauge cluster and then get to switch. Either way, MAKE SURE you disconnect gauge pointer needle clamp or you will crack the little plastic string trimmer thing and your gear pointer may not work right again. It is a simple screw clamp and a little loop of copper wire on a peg is all and is easy to do.
When checking this out, once you have the key switch out, you can manually push on the little bar going to the actual electric ignition swtich and feel if it is sticking, pushing itself back or not. You should feel resistance when you push down and it should spring back on its own. There is a very strong spring in the electric ignition switch that returns it to run. These go bad often as the internal grease gets all gummy or else the switch cracks in half internally and only half moves creating all kinds of interesting malfunctions depending on where it cracked. Just be glad it isnt' an 85 Mercury Grand Marquis. Our trucks have this switch bolted on, the Mercery had it riveted on and trying to get a drill in there was a real pain. -gggg-
Good Luck,
Lee
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Eureka, KS
Had to loosen mine up as well. WD-40 took care of it. The ignition switch and the cylinder both can get sticky from the old grease and junk in there. I pulled the cover off the column to get to the rod and behind the key cylinder. Works good now.
