Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
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Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
1989 Ford Bronco - Full size. The Ignition switch rod appears to have jumped out of alignment or is somehow damaged. When you turn the ign key you can feel that it is not engaged completely to the rod - if you play with it enough it will eventually get to the run position but won't let the truck shift out of park. What I need is some instructions or a diagram for repair. Do I have to take the column out or can it be repaired in the truck. Any ideas would be great. This forum helped me with my last problem so PLEASE pull thru for me again guys (and girls) Thanks B
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From: South Bend
Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
I had the same problem, turned out there's an aluminum fitting that attaches the ignition switch to the rod with a guide on it. If that guide breaks you have to replace it. Unfortunately, you have to pull the steering wheel and take part of the tilt mechanism apart to get at it. I never found anything showing how to do it, I just started taking it apart.
JD Green
'88 Bronco
'97 Mustang Cobra
JD Green
'88 Bronco
'97 Mustang Cobra
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Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
Jdgreen is right you’ll have to take the whole column out. It’s a whole lot easier that way. I just went through the same thing just this Saturday. Here’s the part number and name of the part: E9TZ-3E715-B actuator arm, there’s a picture of the part in my gallery. the part cost me $10.14, I got two just in case. My parts guy told me this parts break all the time, especially in cold weather. There's also a thread about this same part. Good luck
and don't lose the little rolled pin
that keeps the rod in the actuator arm.
Frozen Bronco
Misplaced Alaskan
and don't lose the little rolled pin that keeps the rod in the actuator arm.Frozen Bronco
Misplaced Alaskan
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From: mpls Usa
Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
I recently went through this hassle with my 1990 f-250 diesel and it is in fact the actuator arm as described in the other replies. however I didn't need to completly remove the column to fix it. i just did it from the drivers seat. as for the tilt mechanism, if you shorten the square part of the actuator just enough to let it slip into the area it's supposed to go you don't even need to tear apart the tilt mech. but in doing so the gearshift wont lock when the key is turned and removed. The steering still locks and the gearshift still works normally in all other respects, but the gears can be shifted with out unlocking the ignition. this may or may not be a concern for you depending on where you live, personal preferences, and how intelegent/desparate the local hooligans are in your area.
it's not hard to do however, you will need a steering wheel puller and a normal complement of hand tools, I think you may also need a pair of snap ring pliers ( the kind with the pins). and also pay close attention to how it comes apart so you can get it back together again with out too much aspirin
Let us know how it turns out......
Craterjoe
it's not hard to do however, you will need a steering wheel puller and a normal complement of hand tools, I think you may also need a pair of snap ring pliers ( the kind with the pins). and also pay close attention to how it comes apart so you can get it back together again with out too much aspirin
Let us know how it turns out......
Craterjoe
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From: Orlando, FL
Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
Although, the actual extent of your problem won't be clear til you take a look-see, you don't have to take the whole column out to access the rod and ignition switch. I've gone through three replaced and rebuilt columns before I finally said screw tilt wheel and on-wheel cruise control (sorry junk yards ) and went bare bones column. 
Take the cover off the underside and the dash trim around the column. Theres two bolts that hold the column upright. Unbolt them, unattach the ignition switch harness and you can access the rod and the ignition switch easily. If your problems with the rod is on the ignition switch end, your golden. If its on the other end, you may have to take out/replace the key lock cylinder. That just involves removing the wheel. Not a big deal though.
) and went bare bones column. Take the cover off the underside and the dash trim around the column. Theres two bolts that hold the column upright. Unbolt them, unattach the ignition switch harness and you can access the rod and the ignition switch easily. If your problems with the rod is on the ignition switch end, your golden. If its on the other end, you may have to take out/replace the key lock cylinder. That just involves removing the wheel. Not a big deal though.
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From: The South
Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
I just did this crap yesterday. Funny thing is I spent the last 6 months with my ignition mounted to the underside of my dash and using nothing but the rod to start my Bronc. Didnt need an ignition key at all! Prolly not the smartest thing to do... but it works. Just dont tell your insurance company... they might have a fit!
"Full size man! Not one of those pansy Bronco II's!!!"
"Full size man! Not one of those pansy Bronco II's!!!"
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Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
Thanks for all the suggestions - you have given me the confidence to try it tomorrow - wish me luck!!! Hell it can't be any worse than when I decided to do the ball joints myself. I will let you know the outcome!!!
B
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From: The South
Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
Just a lil bit of advice... take it for what its worth. If you have a tilt column you will have to disassemble part of it to install your part as someone has already mentioned. I didnt feel like messing with it (Me being a total virgin when it comes to working on my Bronc) so what I did was just a lil modification. I took that lil alluminum (or whatever metal it is) piece that wouldnt quite fit in the whole with out taking apart more of the column and I cut a lil bit off of it. This made it alot easier to get in the whole and saved me a bunch of time. The only draw back is that you can shift the Bronc with out turning the key. Not a big deal to me.
Just thought I would try to help.
Peace
Treehugger36
"Full size man! Not one of those pansy Bronco II's!!!"
Just thought I would try to help.
Peace
Treehugger36
"Full size man! Not one of those pansy Bronco II's!!!"
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Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
Well... It looks like the hardest part of this job will be the ride to the Ford dealer for the new part - Got the broken one out in less then 20 min's - Thanks for all the help!
B
B
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Steering Column - Stuck in park - Ign rod problem
Not only would it have made the job easier, but then the little square part of the actuator wouldn't be stressed every time you grab the gearshift and try to go out of PARK without putting the key in. I tend to do that since my Nissan can be moved out of PARK without the key. I must just take it apart tomorrow and modify it.....
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