Ignition Switch Spins
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 6
Ignition Switch Spins
92 F150. My ignition switch will spin all the way around without the key in it. It's not a problem to me until I let my wife drive the truck. I know how to insert and remove the key without messing up the alignment of the switch but when I get in after she drives it's all screwed up and it takes me 10 minutes to get the key in. Anyway, are these easy to fix, and how do I do it? BTW, it has a lever that has to be pushed in before the key will come out.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
turn key to run and stick a 1/8" drill in hole under key, bottom of column, pull out and insert the new cylinder you bought.
or take old one to locksmith and have them rekey one for your door key.
or take old one to locksmith and have them rekey one for your door key.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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I was just online and it looks like Autozone has one for less than $20 and it's on my way home. My doors and ignition have the same key. I guess I'll have the new cylinder keyed to match the old.
BTW, what is it that wears out? Is getting a new cylinder gonna fix it? I ask because as I look at it it's that outer chrome ring thing that you see that spins. That thing looks like it's spinning around the cylinder. After my wife drives it I have to keep messing with it til I get things lined up correctly.
BTW, what is it that wears out? Is getting a new cylinder gonna fix it? I ask because as I look at it it's that outer chrome ring thing that you see that spins. That thing looks like it's spinning around the cylinder. After my wife drives it I have to keep messing with it til I get things lined up correctly.
Last edited by qman; Jan 17, 2007 at 04:15 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
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Originally Posted by qman
.... My doors and ignition have the same key. I guess I'll have the new cylinder keyed to match the old.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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I just tried the 1/8" drill bit and it didn't work. The hole under there is just a big hole and the bit doesn't hit much of anything. I have a shop manual and what I'm dealing with it calls a key set and it looks like there is some sort of retaining screw inside the column under the steering wheel. What gives?
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
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Can't help you with the spinning part. But, after I unlock the column, I don't need the key in mine, LOL. Freaked my daughter out one day when I was driving down the road, pulled the keys out and handed them to her and said "Here, hold these". It's been that way for years with no other adverse effects, so I don't worry about fixing it. The key comes out after I start the truck in ANY position, but is still required to unlock the column.
But, it does sound like something's come loose inside your column. Probably going to have to pull the covers off it to get a better look. Apparently there have been some issues with parts in the columns breaking.
But, it does sound like something's come loose inside your column. Probably going to have to pull the covers off it to get a better look. Apparently there have been some issues with parts in the columns breaking.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
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From: Island Southeast Alaska
See them use a dent puller on TV. The one ya got ta screw in. Ah don't try it if ya loose your key. A lock smith is way cheaper The bad part was he was laughing so hard it took him an extra 1/2 hour to fix it. Now before ya think what kind of dummy is this guy. It wasn't me, some chick tried to go joy riding and ended up breaking the screw off in the key hole.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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I figured it out. I just wasn't hitting the pin quite correctly and I was reading the wrong shop manual. Funny thing is, it was my neighbor who noticed I had the wrong shop manual. He comes in and says, "I thought you were having trouble with your Ford" because he saw my Suburban shop manual sitting on the counter. The switch comes right out when you hit the hole correctly. I bought a new one from Autozone for $16. I had thought that the spinning chrome ring could be a problem but it turns out that nothing bad could have come of it. I could have left it like that forever and it would have never been a problem. Oh well, I'd prefer it work correctly.