My ignition switch (key cylinder) sometimes will not totally return to the off position. This can cause the power to randomly come on when I am not using the truck and of course this discharges the batteries. I have walked past the truck and I hear the radio playing. I reach in and wiggle the key cylinder and it shuts off. Later I can walk past the truck and the radio is playing again. Is there a dry lube I can use on the mechanism for the key? I have adjusted the electrical part of the ignition switch on the column but the problem persists.
1991 F250 4wd automatic diesel ignition switch woes
- Thread starter noddaz
- Start date
Indadesert
Registered User
Time for new parts? They do wear out. It is a 34/35 year old truck.
Check the Key cylinder and pushrod to electrical switch, Google a picture, investigate and clean repair....
Something you can try is pull the key out and flood where it goes in with wd 40. Then work the key back and forth, see if it loosens up.
WD 40 is a poor lubricant, but it flows down in places that are hard to get to, and it does tend to loosen up and rejuvenate the old stiff factory grease. This is a very common problem with these trucks, and you will find it gets worse as it gets colder outside, better in the summer.
You can teach yourself to turn the key back, and also you will find when you start it you need to lightly wiggle it so it finds it's home in the run position. If you don't, you will have strange things working and then not working. Like the windshield wipers, the fuel gauge, etc. I had a 1980 that did this, and found myself doing the wiggle the key routine even in my newer cars.
WD 40 is a poor lubricant, but it flows down in places that are hard to get to, and it does tend to loosen up and rejuvenate the old stiff factory grease. This is a very common problem with these trucks, and you will find it gets worse as it gets colder outside, better in the summer.
You can teach yourself to turn the key back, and also you will find when you start it you need to lightly wiggle it so it finds it's home in the run position. If you don't, you will have strange things working and then not working. Like the windshield wipers, the fuel gauge, etc. I had a 1980 that did this, and found myself doing the wiggle the key routine even in my newer cars.
DougBoy66
Full Access Member
mine had gotten so wore out that I was having that problem but also I could completely remove the key and still start the truck. Not always but sometimes. I had the keys fall out of the ignition when driving it on some rough road too 
Good news is if you have to replace it it is a really simple thing to do. I ended up replacing mine. The worst draw back is now my door key and ignition key are not the same.
Good news is if you have to replace it it is a really simple thing to do. I ended up replacing mine. The worst draw back is now my door key and ignition key are not the same.Old Goat
Full Access Member
I drove the 86 about 3 years before I realized one day I could just turned the Ignition
w/o the key and the engine started. Been that way ever since. Guess it was wore out
when I bought it 11 years ago. One of these day will get around to fixin it.
A new ignition Switch down on the Steering column isn`t all that expensive. You will
need to drop the Steering column to get to it, not a big deal, couple Bolts in the front
as I remember.
Goat
w/o the key and the engine started. Been that way ever since. Guess it was wore out
when I bought it 11 years ago. One of these day will get around to fixin it.
A new ignition Switch down on the Steering column isn`t all that expensive. You will
need to drop the Steering column to get to it, not a big deal, couple Bolts in the front
as I remember.
Goat
Is this a tilt column? the rack is a weak spot that will break especially in below 0 weather wear the grease in the ignition switch becomes stiff and all the stress goes though this fragile piece. Cleaning the ignition switch and using lighter lubricant is a must if the ignition becomes stiff.
ford ignition actuators rack04 ignition actuator | Steering Column Services
ford ignition actuators rack04 ignition actuator from steeringcolumnservices.com!
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No, not a tilt column. I decided to dive back into this before I forgot my new found knowledge. I started by removing the lock cylinder and spraying it off with some solvent to loosen hardened grease from 1991. Then I sprayed some dry film lube on the housing and onto the lock cylinder. And re-assembled. The lock now returns to the off position! But the power was still on. Now to undo a screw up from one of my previous repairs. I removed the lower dash trim and tossed it on the seat. I then removed the left and right trim that houses the headlamp, wiper, overdrive switch and glow plug lamp. While unplugging these, screw bosses snapped off on the overdrive switch and the glow plug lamp. Superglue to the rescue. I dropped the column and loosened the ignition switch and adjusted it to it's proper position. Hang the column back up, key off, power off. Success! And as the manual says, re-assembly is the reverse of removal. I started to remove the steering wheel and turn signal switch to shoot some dry lube on the ignition switch linkage but one of the mounting bosses for the horn pad snapped while removing the screw. So we will not go there today. Besides, it got cold and rainy.
And this will lead to a new post about purchasing dash trim parts.
And this will lead to a new post about purchasing dash trim parts.
And an update to the ignition switch problems. I think I have it fixed. The key returns to off and the truck is actually off. I have been driving it all this week (4 days) and it starts every morning and afternoon so far without hooking a battery charger to it. The weather has been from the low 30's to the mid 50's. Also no mystery radio playing when I come out to the truck for lunch. I still would like to pull the steering wheel and lube more linkage for the switch, but that is for another day.
Thank you everyone for your help with my truck!
I still would like to pull the steering wheel and lube more linkage for the switch, but that is for another day.Thank you everyone for your help with my truck!
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