Need FAST Help!! Steeing Column Jamed!

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Oct 22, 2006 | 06:07 PM

thenewjohndeere

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From: Raleigh, NC

Need FAST Help!! Steeing Column Jamed!

91 FSB 5.0
I have been working 16 hr days the past 3 weeks. Sat was my first day off to relax. Well Fri night i got in my truck at the office and i turned the key and nothing. There was no spring or resisitence in the switch so i knew it wasnt the starter or battery. Went ahead and checked the battery and checked the starter... nothing. Switched out the key switch and put a new igniiton switch... nothing. I disassembled the colum and looked at the teeth on the gears and they look fine.

I can start the truck on the silinoid and i can push the rod in on the column and it will start but it will not shift out of park.

The link in between the rod on the colum and the gears that move with the key appears to have possible have a square piece that goes into the column possibley locking down my shifter. (i have no clue, but would love any input)

Its parked in a morning tow away zone and since it wont get out of park i'm might have a bigger headache in the moring. Planning on going to ford first thing in the morn, but would love any input if anyone knows anything.

Jonathan

Oct 22, 2006 | 09:24 PM

ReAX

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Joined: May 2006

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From: Central Florida

Even if you don't have a tilt switch you have a tilt column, and there is a tiny part in side. The last of the PN is e315 if I remember correctly. It's a pain to replace, but I had a lot of practice with my last truck, I only did three in 5 years. Black graphite grease helped prolong it's life. Auto trans may be different.

Oct 23, 2006 | 12:38 PM

wildjon300ci

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From: Conyers

Basically it's a little pot metal rod that actuates the ignition switch and unlocks both the steering wheel and gear selector. The wheel has to come off and pretty much it's one of the last things that come out of the column when you pull it apart. Snap ring pliers and a set of picks are your friends for this job.

Oct 23, 2006 | 12:54 PM

thenewjohndeere

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From: Raleigh, NC

wildjon so you are 100% sure about the whole locking of the shifter? i would hate to fix all this only to run into more problems.

I went by ford today and p/u the part. Any suggestions on bolt size to pull out the pins w/ internal threads on the column?

Oct 23, 2006 | 07:29 PM

b4hntn

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From: Longview, TX

I remember someone saying if the radio fuse is blown you can't shift. Does the radio work?

Oct 24, 2006 | 10:19 AM

wildjon300ci

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From: Conyers

You have to push the rod to start the truck, correct? (AKA turning the key won't start it)
If so I AM 100% sure as I've delt with it twice.

Oct 25, 2006 | 08:39 AM

thenewjohndeere

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From: Raleigh, NC

That's a big 10-4. It ended up being the acculator rod (sp?). So i tore down the column monday night in the middle of the city. Only got one ticket. It took about 2 1/2 hrs. Would you recomend greasing the rod that slide into the column? & the gears that work with the key. I ask b/c it doens't slide as smooth as it once did and i'd hate to break it again if there are in precautions i could take.

-Jonathan