Ignition Switch Woes
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Ignition Switch Woes
Hello. this is my first post on the forum, so please forgive if this has already been addressed, but search didn't turn up anything. I have a new (to me) 1983 F-100 I-6. I have 3 big problems with it, the first being it has a bad ignition switch. I need the electrical portion of the column mounted lock cylinder. I have a Haynes manual, but as usual, it doesn't give a clear way to get this part out. And I checked Autozone, and they don't list a replacement for it, and Advance Auto shows an "actuator", but no pics so I have no idea what that is. Can anyone tell me how to get the electrical part out? I have already removed the lock cylinder, and all i see inside is a snap ring, and what appears to me to be the electrical part of the switch. And once I get it out, what exactly do I call it when I go the the parts counter and asked for a replacement? Once I get this part fixed, I can move forward to the other two! Thanx in advance to all who answer.
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From: Virginia
You are not looking at the electrical part. To see the electrical part of the switch, take the u-bolt loose that holds the column to the bottom of the dash, and drop the column down some. You will see the electrical part down on top of the column, under the dash.
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Ok, I will do that tomorrow. Now after I find it, what do I call it when I go to the parts house? And I take it what I was looking at (down the hole of the removed lock cylinder) was some kind of linkage to the electrical part? Forgive my ignorance, but having worked on GM and VW beetles, the Electrical part is on the end of the cylinder in those models, and apparently Fords are not like this?
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From: Virginia
Yes, there is a gear and a rack, and that hooks to some linkages and then a rod that runs down the top of the column to the ignition switch. When you go to the parts store ask for a "ignition switch". The part you have already taken out is the keyswitch tumbler.
What problem are you having? If you have a tilt column, there is a piece up in the column made out of pot metal, and it's famous for breaking. The symptoms are the leyswitch turns and everything lights up, but springing it over to start does nothing and it won't crank over.
What problem are you having? If you have a tilt column, there is a piece up in the column made out of pot metal, and it's famous for breaking. The symptoms are the leyswitch turns and everything lights up, but springing it over to start does nothing and it won't crank over.
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Ok, seems to be more complicated than it needs to be! lol. Problem #1 is when I turn the switch to 'On', I get nothing. to "start" and engine cranks over. I have to jiggle it to get the blinkers to work, and cant get the blowers or the tank switch to work at all, nor none of the dash lights like the blinker indicators or 'brake' light, etc. Also the springiness that you get when you turn to "start" isn't quite there, like it needs lube or something, you can feel the springiness alittle, but not enough to return when you let off the key, if that makes sense. What I originally wanted to do was try to lube/clean it so I could get it to work, but If I have to dig it out, i would just assume replace it. "Rusty" is a work in progress for my Son, and I have to get the switch fixed before I can repair the other 2 problems.
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From: Virginia
The not returning problem is common, and replacing the switch as well as lubing the top end will help that out. By jiggling the switch, you are making it settle back into the run position and that allows power to pass through to the correct places.
Once you get the blinkers to work, then everything else should have power also, so you might have some separate problems to deal with later.
Once you get the blinkers to work, then everything else should have power also, so you might have some separate problems to deal with later.
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Ah, great! Then my thinking wasn't too far off! Do you have any idea how much the part might be on average? Also, on another note, is there anywhere that has a fuse box diagram? this is the first vehicle I have worked on that didn't label the fuses!
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection | Year
Autozone lists it under starting and charging, not electrical where you'd think
Autozone lists it under starting and charging, not electrical where you'd think
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Wow! Been looking all over for diagram!! Thank you!!!!
Got the switch out, found out all that was wrong was some dust/dirt got inside it. I cleaned it out and lubed with dielectric, and works perfect now!! And would never have thought to look there (autozone website), I was looking in Ignition and Electrical... Go figure
Now comes a new thread for problem #2...
Got the switch out, found out all that was wrong was some dust/dirt got inside it. I cleaned it out and lubed with dielectric, and works perfect now!! And would never have thought to look there (autozone website), I was looking in Ignition and Electrical... Go figure
Now comes a new thread for problem #2...