So this is my first post here, should I be nervous?! Actually, I've been lurking around here for years, awesome site! You all seem to be a great group, so I thought I'd post my question here.

I've had my Bronco for about 15 years now. It's an '86 XLT, 5.0 EFI and AOD. A whopping 109,000 miles too. I use it mainly for my running around vehicle now, store, gym, gun range.... Last week I went to fire it up to go out and noticed the dash was dark. The motor runs fine, but the instruments, radio and wipers are dead while the motor is running (the speedometer/odometer both DO work though while driving, but nothing else does). All works fine though when I turn it off and move the key back to the accessory position (gauges, radio, wipers). So what say you, maybe a bad ignition switch (that was my first and only thought )?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

bad or maybe sticking, I cant remember on the 86 if the ignition switch is in the column or mounted on the column under the dash (like the 80-85 ones) but when the switch moves into the start position it shuts off power to the accessories and if the switch or the rod are sticking they might not come back on. try gently turning the key so the starter just comes on or turn it to on and use a remote starter and see if that works or not. Good luck

 

The common problem is the key tumbler sticks when you start the engine the key doesn't spring back far enough,try this start your engine and then turn your key back towards off just a hair and see if that works if so you might be able to get away with spraying a little silicone lube or something like it into the tumbler.I used to do it once a year until I needed to repair my tilt housing then I took care of it when it was apart.

 

The key switch has a lot of things it can adversely effect if it's not springing back all the way. I still need to fix mine, but things I can think of that's happened to me:

Blinkers don't blink, they just stay on solid.
Dash lights don't work, everything but the speedometer (since it's cable driven)
Only one turn signal works on the exterior. The dash will say it's blinking, but the actual external bulb won't light up.

I think there's been a few others. Just wiggling the key, and rotating it back a fraction of an inch fixed these every time. Screwy.

 

Excellent info, thanks all for your responses! I'll give it all a try and report back as soon as I find anything out.