Ignition/column...again.

[Brian VT]

2 years ago my key turn stopped working to trip the starter. I bought the sliding contacts part that goes in the column and installed it but couldn't get it working. So I, grudgingly, installed a manual starter button under the dash and then all was well. Even yesterday.
Tonight I turned the key and it doesn't activate the electrical system any more. I turned it full forward and full back and moved the column shifter around. I couldn't get any flicker of radio or HVAC or anything. I can't start my truck. My starter button won't trip the starter. My manual glow plug button works and so do my headlights and horn.
It's not a tilt column, fwiw.
So...what's my best plan now? I would love to get it all back to original working condition, and I don't mind spending the money and time, but I will appreciate whatever advice you veterans have to offer as the best solution for temporary or permanent.

 

[Nero]

If its a tilt column, its probably the linkage piece that attaches the cylinder to the push rod that goes to the ignition selector module you replaced. Its common for it to break and then start off with a no crank... then this.

 

[Brian VT]

...it's not a tilt column.

 

[Brian VT]

Could this be a fuse? Or fusable link? Or something other than the key/column?

 

[franklin2]

Are you positive it's not a tilt column? I don't know about your year truck, but I had a earlier model years ago and didn't know I had a tilt column till someone showed it to me. He pushed the turnsignal lever forward and I thought he was going to break it off, then all of a sudden the steering wheel fell down.

 

[Brian VT]

Are you positive it's not a tilt column? I don't know about your year truck, but I had a earlier model years ago and didn't know I had a tilt column till someone showed it to me. He pushed the turnsignal lever forward and I thought he was going to break it off, then all of a sudden the steering wheel fell down.

Well...sunuvabitch.
After all of these years I just found out that I have a tilt column. I'd never seen one that didn't have it's own lever.
Thank you for showing me the light.
I guess that changes things. I guess I need to go read all of the tilt column problem threads to figure out a plan to fix this.

 

[rreegg]

Dang was always curious what the forward action on the turn signal lever was - it seemed kind of goofy but didn’t want to break anything. Ya learn something everyday will check this

 

[Nero]

This is the guy that breaks.
Sorry my first post wasn't so helpful, was trying to find it but got some stuff at home going on...

For 1980-1991 Ford F250 Steering Column Lock Actuator Dorman 53469QQHY 1989 1990 | eBay

Notes: Steering Column Lock Actuator -- With Tilt Steering Wheel. 1980-1991 Ford F250. Ensure Proper FitTo confirm that this part fits your vehicle, enter your vehicle's Year, Make, Model, Trim and Engine in the Compatibility Table.

www.ebay.com

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[ttman4]

This is the guy that breaks.
Sorry my first post wasn't so helpful, was trying to find it but got some stuff at home going on...

For 1980-1991 Ford F250 Steering Column Lock Actuator Dorman 53469QQHY 1989 1990 | eBay

Notes: Steering Column Lock Actuator -- With Tilt Steering Wheel. 1980-1991 Ford F250. Ensure Proper FitTo confirm that this part fits your vehicle, enter your vehicle's Year, Make, Model, Trim and Engine in the Compatibility Table.

www.ebay.com

You must be registered for see images attach

So @Nero is this what I need for my '90 CCLB Dually w/5speed & Tilt Column?
Few yr ago something happened. I can turn key on & everything "lites up" except I had no ignition/starter. Wound up & put starter push button under dash.
Or is it probably something else, like that rod going down the column?

(I have always dreaded working on this tilt stuff, signal lites, etc, etc! And have never really learned all this tilt column stuff!)

I'll be glad when me & Carol hurry up & get rich so I can just hire fixing stuff out!! My '90 is nearly 35 yr old & I suspect we'll finally be rich when it is about 90-100 yr old!!!

 

[ttman4]

Never mind @Nero I looked down there at your post #2 in Ignition cylinder problem started by @MtnHaul on 9-16-24.
That's a good link you posted.

 

[franklin2]

You can usually take the small short cover off that goes around the column near the cluster, and when you do this you will see a little rod on top that moves back and forth when you turn the keyswitch. Spring the key over to start and hold it, and then "help" the rod by pinching it with pliers and shoving it toward the cluster. If the truck cranks, then the actuator above is broken.

 

[Brian VT]

You can usually take the small short cover off that goes around the column near the cluster, and when you do this you will see a little rod on top that moves back and forth when you turn the keyswitch. Spring the key over to start and hold it, and then "help" the rod by pinching it with pliers and shoving it toward the cluster. If the truck cranks, then the actuator above is broken.

I did that back when the key start stopped working. Pushing the rod further didn't help so I replaced the contacts "board" that the rod moves. Still no start. So I added a push-button start. And that worked fine.
Now the key won't even turn the power on (for starting or playing the radio or opening the FSS).
Perhaps unrelated, but when I turn the key to off it's always made a snapping noise. Kinda sounds like a quick spark. It's always done that though.

 

[Nero]

Check the fusible link near the start relay, if its burned out then you'll have no chassis cab power. Try turning your headlights and hazards on. Do they work still?

 

[Brian VT]

Headlights, door dinger, hazards, dome light all work.
Nothing on the dash (blinkers, radio, HVAC, etc.).

 

[Old Goat]

Here is a couple threds that might help?

Ignition cylinder problem

Well, just bought a 1990 F350 4x4 CCLB and I have my first problem. I went to start it and turned the key to run but something felt weird so I didn't try to start the engine--good thing I didn't because when I turned the key back to OFF or ACC nothing happened. The glowplugs and start lights...

www.oilburners.net

'87-'91 steering column options?

So after reading up on the 87-91 steering columns it seems that parts are a beach to find. I plan on keeping this truck for a long time and don't want to end up with a bad column and no parts available. Aside from finding a good JY part what are the current options? I need the tilt function...

www.oilburners.net