88 5.0 ignition issues
 

So after going to the dark-side that is a Jeep I managed to pick up an 88 with a 5.0 174,000 miles in somewhat decent shape. Usual rust and the like but overall a decent truck for its age. BUT! When I got home I parked it for the night. Go to show some friends my new toy and a tumbler fell out of place in the lock cylinder. Irritating but whatever. My boss has a 88 F-150 and had an extra cylinder laying around. So he gave it to me and I replaced it when I got home. Now it wont turn over. My cluster lights up. It dings. But it wont turn over or even attempt it. Ideas? Reasons? Anybody?

Check the ignition switch located on top of the steering column near the base. Make sure it is fully actuated when turning the ignition key/cylinder to the Start position. There is a pot metal rod between these two pieces that is known to break.Could be the switch or the actuator. Process of elimination.

Ill check that as well. But I would have a hard time believing the rod just snapped as the ignition was working perfect with the old cylinder before. I hadn't felt any hangups like it was stretching or I don't hear any metal clanging around. I talked to my master-tech amigo and he said I could of simply just clocked the ignition wrong? Ill post an update when I have time to tear into it.

Some good info here from our Bronco friends: Ignition Actuator Replacement on an '85 w/tilt - Ford Bronco Forum

I'm thinking you are correct. As I fudged with the ignition today I can pull the key out of the cylinder when it sits in the lock position as if it normally would on any normal vehical. When I turn the key to the start position I just hear a buzz for a second or 2. Ideas on that?

Battery is shot. One issue after another.

You sound like you know a thing or two my friend. Hopefully you or one of the other well versed gentlemen on here can help me out because i am pulling my haor out! So here is the score.. i got a 89 eddy bauer 5.0 and recently i had problems starting it (wouldnt turn over) i started reading these fourms and replaced the starter switch, new locking cylinder and found out that my ignition actuator rod had been sheered. So i fixed it and got ot to start fine but when it came time for my wife and i to go on vacation to flordia i had to put the darn steering coloum back together. Well, im hung up on how to get the rack back into the gear on the sleeve behind the tumbler. I fiddled with it until midnight before we left for vacation but cant get the darn thing to slide back in! It must be something easy because i cant find any videos on youtube (the closest one was from "THE JUNKMAN" but it sodnt show how to slide the rack back in) any help on the method to fenise it would be greaty appreciated!

very respectfuly:
Braxtyn

You should start your own thread, but your topic is related to this one (possibly). I posted a link to a how-to previously. It covers the R&R process pretty well. If you followed that and still have issues then take a look at this from the same author: Steering_Column


When re-assembling it states to have the column bolted up to the dash after sliding the actuator/rod back into the column otherwise you may have an alignment problem.