I have been having a problem with the heater, blinkers, and horn in my truck for a while now... about a week ago i happened to twist the key backwards a little bit while it was in the ignition and everything started working.... If I leave the key in the position that it ends up in after i start the truck things don't work...If I back it off half a turn it sorts itself out...Anyone know what could be causing this? What parts I would need to possibly fix it? Lastly, where to get said parts? Do I just need to replace the ignition cylinder or is it something else?

Truck is 1984 F250 4 x 4

Thanks

 

Cold and sticky. Lots of people (including me) have had this problem this time of year. Just have to remember to get the key back into position after starting.

 

Sounds like just an old, worn cylinder. It happens over time, nothing to be too concerned about. Any parts store should carry it, and it shouldn't be more than $20-25. You will need a steering wheel puller and lock plate compressor to get to it to replace it. When I did mine in my S10, autozone allowed me to buy the tools (about $60) and bring them back the next day for a full refund. Only takes about an hour and a half to two hours to do the job and get it all buttoned back up.

 

The spring is part of the ignition switch, which is located on top of the column behind &
underneath the dash. Remove the shroud and drop the column, it's readily accessible
from there. There is a steel rod that runs down the column from the tumbler assembly
down to the switch.

You can clean the switch... mark where on the switch the nuts are located; remove the
wiring connector, the two nuts, then the switch. You can clean it out with some sort of
solvent that is safe for plastics, then lube it up with dielectric grease.

While it's removed, insert your ignition key and turn the tumbler/move that steel rod up &
down, it should all operate smoothly and easily. If it doesn't, you can clean the old
grease out and re-lube it but it requires removing the steering wheel, I don't recommend it
unless it's needed.

Or, you can get in the habit of turning the tumbler back a bit after you start the engine.

Here is an exploded diagram of a typical 80-86 steering column. Don't be intimidated,
what you're doing is really not that bad.