Ignition Switch Problems

[helidiesel]

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/871146-help-with-ignition-actuator.html

this was the best how to i found on the internet. its not that bad of a job you just have to take your time and follow the instructions. you can starat the truck by taking pliers and reaching down in between the steering column and the dash there will be a long rod about an 1/8 grab it and push it fwd and it should push the ignition switch and turn the starter over. This will also let you know if your ignition switch actuator is broken or the switch. both were broken on the ford i got. the switch was removed from the column and you had to you a screw driver to start the truck. good luck
ricky

 

[helidiesel]

also my buddy told me one time this pot metal actuator always brakes on the fords cause it locks the steering wheel with key removed and everybody grabs the wheel and puts there weight/pressure on the steering wheel on then transfer to the small little pos pot metal that just cant handle that much stress and weight from us older fat guys!!!

 

[Garbage_Mechan]

Been trough this many times over the years, enough to make me question how bad I really need a tilt column.
The best one was about 20 years ago, I was at a big deal corporate meeting and the wife called to tell me she stopped on the side of the highway to straighten out the 3 year old. When she went to start the truck the above mentioned actuator broke. Imagine me sitting in a room full of executive types trying to walk my (more pissed than anything) wife through getting the truck started. She did, and I fixed it the next weekend.

I consider the weakness of this part almost a safety hazzard like the cam position sensor on the 7.3 Powerstroke. I have been a lot of places I wouln't want to walk back from. I have considered trying to build a billet or steel one so I never have to think about it again.

Let me share this key thing I learned: While the post above referring to leaning on the steering wheel lock is a good one, here is the biggest issue. The key switch itself gets gummed up over time. IF your ignition takes much effort to turn, the switch down on the bottom of the column is likely stiff. Continuing to use it this way causes the pot metal actuator to break. I had a whole fleet of these with a lot of off road use at one time. I've proven prevention is worth it on this. Won't even talk about how many dang ignition switches fell apart, that is another thread!

 

[DieselJuice]

It's finally nice here after the last two days of cold weather so I decided to go ahead and work on it. So I'm having some weird issues to say the least, the most urgent one is I can't get the broken piece out? I thought they just slide out once they've been broken? Am I missing something? When I pull on it with needle nose pliers it's like it just gets stuck? I decided to stop pulling on it just in case I missed something . Here's a pic on how far it's coming out before it stops.

You must be registered for see images attach

The other issue I am having is my column isn't tilting, I can get it to tilt with a screw driver w/ light prying on the bottom of the I'm going to go ahead and call it the thingy that has teeth on it with the spring above it

You must be registered for see images attach

But when I actually push on the rod to try and tilt it, it doesn't move, it's like the rod isn't getting enough leverage or something? Now, I learned to drive it with the steering wheel all the way up (when I was real young), it's always been all the way up, at least when my father and I have driven it. So it's not like a big deal, but I'm just curious on how to fix it?
Pushed in, no worky.

You must be registered for see images attach

Thanks again for all your help guys. This forum has always been there when I have issues, and to say the least it's very appreciated!

 

[DieselJuice]

So I had a duh moment, and got the broken bit of the actuator out.

You must be registered for see images attach

Still don't know why my column won't tilt normally though

Off to ford, and the parts store

 

[helidiesel]

Ok one mistake I made was when I put the turn signal rod back in the assy I put the u shape piece of metal fwd of rod and when I tried to tilt it would not push on the metal and push the lock tooth out of the way. Something to look in to.

 

[helidiesel]

I think u have to pull it not push the pig tail metal piece.

 

[helidiesel]

I see you don't have the pivot pins out yet. It took a claw hammer and rocking the column up and down. I got really lucky funding a screw that would screw into the pins.

 

[franklin2]

I see you don't have the pivot pins out yet. It took a claw hammer and rocking the column up and down. I got really lucky funding a screw that would screw into the pins.

Yes, it acts like some weird metric thread. I also found some that "sort of" fit and worked good enough to pull the pins.

 

[DieselJuice]

Yeah, I haven't pulled the pins yet. I went to Advantage Ford in Ottawa to get the actuator, and I was told they no longer made it. I was going to stop by Napa and get one, but I didn't get that far. Stopped by Oreillys to get the BWD turn signal switch, had part # in hand, gave part # to him and he said they didn't have it and couldn't get it; so I just walked out. I was pretty livid, like your site says you have it, I just made it super easy for you... I think he tried typing in my vin instead of the part # because it was also on the piece of paper. So, now I'm just going to call advance, waste a long drive to town, but to say the least I couldn't be sociable.

Does anyone know if Ford actually does still make the actuator? The lady at Ford tried running my vin to make it easier, but for some reason my vin wasn't bringing anything up at all, she thought I wrote down the wrong number or letter... But I've tried running it before with no luck

 

[helidiesel]

Damn. I got the act at napa

 

[DieselJuice]

I got everything back in two days ago, new actuator is doing great, I lubed everything up with graphite. BWD turn signal switch is in and is working perfectly, although I found that the wires seem to be just a little shorter than the stock one. The only issue I have no is the tilt, but I'm not too worried about that, I have the steering wheel in the position I like it so, no worries.

Thank you all for your help! I'm sure I'll have more questions like like 2 days or so