Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Ignition Switch Tumbler Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 15, 2010 | 05:17 AM
  #1  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Question Ignition Switch Tumbler Issue

My trucks recently developed a small problem with the ignition switch or tumbler. The key turns fine to start and run etc. When turning it off the tumbler hangs like the steering wheel lock is engaged or something even when its not. It will click and go past that point. I'm concerned that it is going to break or bind up at the worst time in the future.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 03:44 AM
  #2  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I'm considering replacing the tumbler, but I don't know if thats the problem or not. Any thoughts?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:01 AM
  #3  
Bob Gervais's Avatar
Bob Gervais
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, RI
I wish I had more info, but the same thing happened to my 93. It ended up fixing itself, and hasn't been an issue since. Tumblers are cheap, maybe not a bad place to start...
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:06 AM
  #4  
Lazy K's Avatar
Lazy K
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
Why not pull the lock cylinder and clean and lube it? If that helps then maybe fit a new one. If not then maybe pull the steering wheel and lube the steering lock.
There is a diagram of the `92 on column here somewhere (about a month ago) showing the lock internals.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:22 AM
  #5  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Originally Posted by Bob Gervais
I wish I had more info, but the same thing happened to my 93. It ended up fixing itself, and hasn't been an issue since. Tumblers are cheap, maybe not a bad place to start...
Thats what I was thinking.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:23 AM
  #6  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Originally Posted by Lazy K
Why not pull the lock cylinder and clean and lube it? If that helps then maybe fit a new one. If not then maybe pull the steering wheel and lube the steering lock.
There is a diagram of the `92 on column here somewhere (about a month ago) showing the lock internals.
Thats a good idea, whats the best lubricant for this?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:50 AM
  #7  
KevinGnWV's Avatar
KevinGnWV
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Southern WV
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by TexasGuy001
Thats a good idea, whats the best lubricant for this?
They make a dry lube just for locks. I'd say it's probably graphite.

I had a similar problem and it was (not sure what the technical names are) the rod going from the switch into the electrical switch box. (looks like a slider, with a contact point for each key position)

But that was on a 85 so I don't know if they are even made the same in the 90's.

Btw, the switch eventually broke and was stuck in the "start" position.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:55 AM
  #8  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I think I have some of that graphite lock cylinder lube in a spray can. If I remember right its kinda messy stuff.

I think my truck has the same type of rod that your 85 does. I remember dealing with it when I replaced the ignition switch.

The key is not hard to turn forward at all. It turns back to the off position fine too. It just hangs up when try to turn the key back to remove.

I'm going to slide it out and clean it up and put some graphite lube on it and see how it works.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 05:09 AM
  #9  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I just did some googling, and read alot of articles and threads where people say do not use the graphite lube. They say it can gum up the lock, I don't know about that, but I guess it could be true.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 05:16 AM
  #10  
KevinGnWV's Avatar
KevinGnWV
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Southern WV
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by TexasGuy001
I think I have some of that graphite lock cylinder lube in a spray can. If I remember right its kinda messy stuff.

I think my truck has the same type of rod that your 85 does. I remember dealing with it when I replaced the ignition switch.

The key is not hard to turn forward at all. It turns back to the off position fine too. It just hangs up when try to turn the key back to remove.

I'm going to slide it out and clean it up and put some graphite lube on it and see how it works.
Its been about 16 years since Ive had that truck but I'm pretty sure it was hanging up pretty bad turning the key forward.
Originally Posted by TexasGuy001
I just did some googling, and read alot of articles and threads where people say do not use the graphite lube. They say it can gum up the lock, I don't know about that, but I guess it could be true.
I've never used it so I couldnt tell you. Our padlocks we use at work are huge and I take the grease gun and inject lithium grease into the cylinder. But, those are outside and are subjected to highly corrosive materials.

I cant imagine a dry powder used in moderation gumming it up but I suppose it is possible.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 05:49 AM
  #11  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
If I buy a new one, I'm getting a Motorcraft one.

Does anyone know the difference between the 6 different lock cylinder part numbers on Rock Auto? Orielly is the same way.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...150&vi=1122286

RockAuto Parts Catalog

MOTORCRAFT Part # SW2398 {#F3DZ11582C}
No. 3 Cut Letter C

$48.79 $0.00 $48.79
MOTORCRAFT Part # SW2399 {#F3DZ11582D}
No. 4 Cut Letter D

$48.79 $0.00 $48.79
MOTORCRAFT Part # SW2400 {#F3DZ11582E}
No. 5 Cut Letter E

$50.79 $0.00 $50.79
MOTORCRAFT Part # SW2396 {#F3DZ11582A}
No. 1 Cut Letter A

$50.79 $0.00 $50.79
MOTORCRAFT Part # SW2397 {#F3DZ11582B}
No. 2 Cut Letter B

$50.79 $0.00 $50.79
MOTORCRAFT Part # SW6383 {Includes Tumbler #1L3Z11582A}
From 8/30/95

$58.89 $0.00 $58.89
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 06:16 AM
  #12  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I should have been more specific in my first post. The spot where it hangs is going from the off position back to remove the key. The key turns freely the rest of the time.

I wonder if something is loose.

I tried a light application of WD40 in the key hole and nothing has changed.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 06:17 AM
  #13  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Originally Posted by Lazy K
Why not pull the lock cylinder and clean and lube it? If that helps then maybe fit a new one. If not then maybe pull the steering wheel and lube the steering lock.
There is a diagram of the `92 on column here somewhere (about a month ago) showing the lock internals.
Is there any way to lubricate the steering wheel lock without pulling the wheel?

I have messed with locking the steering wheel and releasing it to turn the key forward and that disengages fine and works like is should, so I don't even know if that is the issue either.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 07:04 AM
  #14  
TexasGuy001's Avatar
TexasGuy001
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I just figured something out! It hangs in the same position as the stop that wont allow the key to be turned back to be removed as if the transmission is in gear. I hope that makes sense.

Sorry for all the posts.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 07:57 AM
  #15  
Lazy K's Avatar
Lazy K
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ition-fun.html Read here. The post by BChance gives a diagram of the assembly and the proceedure to get at it.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:49 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 09:39:23


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE