87 f150 shifting or ignition problem?
 

Turned off my 87 f150 for a few minutes. When attempting to restart, couldnt shift out of Park, key will turn but no repsonse as if shifter is in Drive or Reverse etc. After manually moving the shifter arm at the tranny I can now move between P an R but no response at the ignition still. When turning the key it seems to turn all the way to start without the normal clicking from Off to On to Run. Any ideas folks?
87 f150
auto tranny AOD
302 engine
160K miles
Thanks for any ideas.

The lock actuator in the steering column is broken.
You will need to pull the steering wheel then the turn signal mounting plate and then the column shroud to get to it.
You should be able to get a new lower actuator at most parts stores.

Thanks Lazy K - I will get on it today. Appreciate your time.
Chas

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-on-f250.html Read the post by jas88 in this thread for a good writeup on replacing the actuator.
You will find that on yours the little "prong" on the actuator that locks the shifter has broken and you will need to fish the broken piece out before fitting the new actuator.

I found jas88's post - thanks. Got tied up on another job yesterday but will work on this issue today. Will keep you posted. Thanks again.
Chas

Yo Lazy K - just wanted to say thanks. I got my steering column apart and you were dead on right. But I gotta say, even with Jas88's post - drilling down to find the actuator is a major PITA. Thanks again. I haven't found a replacement part yet. Still looking. Any ideas? I also need to replace the steel cable that runs from the shifter to the PRNDL shift indicator on the dash.
Chas

Do this. Go to rockauto.com and enter your truck details. From the list click on "steering" and then from that drop down list, click on "steering column lock actuator" and you will see the part.
Most parts stores should have one for around $12-$15 I would think.
For the shift indicator you need to get the shift indicator assembly. It comes with the little display with the cable already attached to it. Probably a Ford part so try partsguyed.com for that, probably around $30.00 for it.
And yes, replacing the actuator is a major PITA.

Got it. When I get this all fixed I will post a summary and a pic or two so others can benefit. Thanks again.
Chas

Lazy K - another question. Why the actuator at rockauto and the shift indicator at partsguyed.com? Do certain parts places specialize in certain types of parts? Just curious. I will be doing more work on my truck and would like to get this all figured out.
Thanks
Chas

I assume that the shift indicator (although I don`t know) is a Ford only part and partsguyed.com is as good as it gets for original Ford parts. You could try him for the actuator as well but rockauto.com has a good range of aftermarket, good quality parts.

Got it - thanks again.
I did get the steering column lock actuator - got it at Napa Auto Parts. Couldn't believe it. I don't kinow if you have Napa Auto in your area, but they are just a standard auto parts retail outlet. They had a few of then just hanging on the wall with auto interior parts stuff in standard display boxes. However they tell me they had never been able to find the shifter display indicator. I will keep looking.
Chas

Good man. I got my shift indicator from Silver State Ford Parts, I think it is a Ford only part. So you should try partsguyed.com for it (or local Ford dealership or even local junk yard).
If I remember right it was around $30.00.

LMC carries them: LMC Truck Parts - Page 36 item #7. 3 different versions, look at the chart at the bottom of the page to see what transmission it fits.

Thanks guys. I will look at Silver State and LMC. Apprciate all the help.
Chas