ignition switch question
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ignition switch question
hi all, first post and i'm asking for help already...what the hay, when i tried to start my truck the key goes in ok the ignition switch turns and feels ok but when turned to the starting position nothing happens, battery is good, this is a '91 f150, tilt steering wheel, i was thinking the switch itself might be bad and was trying to remove it but couldn't figure out how, i pulled the steering wheel and started poking around under there and then this thought came over me.....i need some experienced help. any advice will be appreciated greatly, thanks. Red
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
The ignition switch is not the part you put your key in. That is the lock cylinder. The ignition switch is up on top of the column way down by the firewall. Such a failure is very rare, it is more likely you have a bad solenoid or your MLPS (manual lever position sensor) is misadjusted if you have an auto trans. Your actuator could also be broken such that it is not able to push the ignition switch to the "start" position any longer.
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thanks jas88, i have a chiltons manual and it's lacking in clear text and photos, i pulled off the shroud around where the column meets the dash and can see the actuator, it moves as the key turns the lock cylinder, the truck is a manual trans. i'll try to check actuator movement at the switch, sounds like the lock cylinder wouldn't be the problem, can the actuator come loose at this point, and if so how do i get to it? red
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As jas88 says if you look on the steering column under the dash you will find the ign/start switch. This is bolted to the column and is adjustable so check that it has not come loose.
To get to the actuator you need to pull the steering wheel, then the turn signal mounting plate and then the main column shroud. Not difficult but a real PITA.
Before I would do that I would check that the clutch safety switch is OK, should be down where the clutch rod goes thru the bulkhead under the dash. If that is OK then look for the starter relay. It should be on the passenger side inner fender with a heavy gauge wire going to it from the battery. Jump the two heavy gauge terminals, does the engine crank?
Do all that and poat back.
To get to the actuator you need to pull the steering wheel, then the turn signal mounting plate and then the main column shroud. Not difficult but a real PITA.
Before I would do that I would check that the clutch safety switch is OK, should be down where the clutch rod goes thru the bulkhead under the dash. If that is OK then look for the starter relay. It should be on the passenger side inner fender with a heavy gauge wire going to it from the battery. Jump the two heavy gauge terminals, does the engine crank?
Do all that and poat back.
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thanks jas88, i have a chiltons manual and it's lacking in clear text and photos, i pulled off the shroud around where the column meets the dash and can see the actuator, it moves as the key turns the lock cylinder, the truck is a manual trans. i'll try to check actuator movement at the switch, sounds like the lock cylinder wouldn't be the problem, can the actuator come loose at this point, and if so how do i get to it? red
They All tend to break at the same place- I could turn my key,and the rod the actuator was attached to would move down a bit, and the spring in the ignition switch would push it back up a little bit- made it look like all was well, -But I was able to look down in between the column at the tilt with the wheel all the way in the Down Position, and see the head of the actuator- I stuck a screwdriver down inside there and behind the actuator and pushed it forward-the engine cranked.-something wasnt right...- I Found a breakdown of the job on a site by a guy named "chris Bradley technical reports"- he took the pics, and made it simple to follow -(He did it to a big Bronco -(same column make-up and break down) when you find it-scroll down to project #25
Check it out,
HTH
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wow all you guys who posted help are really awesome, i got busy with my kids birthday stuff, i'm single parenting for now, and won't get to use this great advise till tomorrow but had to at least post a BIG thanks, i'll be back....Red
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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It could also be the neutral safety switch that sits on the clutch pedal shaft. The switch it self could be bad or the clutch pedal linkage could be worn to where the shaft isn't being pushed in far enough. That was the proble with mine.
