I just got my 1988 Bronco hame yesterday. The steering colum is missing the actuator. When I hook up the battery the starter will engage but will not disengage unless I unhook the battery. I have tried a new ignition switch. It will engage no matter which position the switch is in. Where do I go next?

 

is there a short in the solenoid next to the battery? is the ignition switch in the right position in the colomn? not upside down, you know without the tumbler set installed? check it with a flat head screw driver without the tumbler set installed and see if you can turn it counter clockwise towards you to the off position, if you can..just a few ideas to check out. sounds like you have an internal short in the solonoid that bolts to the passenger side fender

 

The ignition cylinder is not there. The steering colum was damaged by po. The ignition switch on the steering colum under the dash is the switch I changed. There appears to be a new starter relay on fender. I know the previous owner has been working on it but never figured it out.

 

ok so is the ignition in the dash or is it in the steering colomn? when u say the cylinder isnt there do you mean the part that takes the key that you can replace? or do you mean the part that has the slot that the cylinder fits into? have you checked anything with a test light to see if there is voltage coming out of the steering column this will narrow down your issue..find out where the voltage is originating from that is engaging your starter solonoid so you know if its the column that has a short or if its further down stream towards the solonoid or starter

 

Try unhooking the ignition wire on the selinoid next to the battery, the single wire that goes in about the middle of the selinoid. If you hook the battery up and the starter still turns, then replace the selinoid. Otherwise you have to replace the ignition switch at the base of the steering column or find out if the actuator rod from the key on the column is actually operating the ignition switch.

 

Thanks, I will try that. The ignition switch is hanging under the dash right now. I am going to try to operate the switch with a small screwdriver, just to get the engine cranked. Let you know afterwhile,

 

I installed a new selonoid, the ignition switch didn't work. Also tried a new switch, the dash lights came on but would not engage starter.I tried a remote starter. As soon as I pushed the starter button the positive post on the solenoid started smoking. Maybe a bad starter? Why wouldnt the switch engage the starter? This is going to be a long project!

 

Thanks for all the help. I had the starter tested, rechecked all ground connections & it started up. What a relief ! Didn't have enough fuel pressure, will work on that next.

 

I have the same exact problem after swapping in a 86 351w into my 83 Bronco, also 351w, hook the battery up and the thing starts cranking. Replaced the solenoid, but I guess it could be a bad one; already had a new starter on the 86 motor. What solved your problem, fixing the ground or replacing the solenoid?

 

Must have been a ground problem. I pulled starter & it tested ok. Cleaned all connections, including ground to block & frame, new end on battery ground cable. Problem solved. Thanks to all who helped.