Need Troubleshooting Help!

[simonapowell]

Hi All,

I've searched the forums, and subsequently used several troubleshooting ideas, to no avail.

My '88 F250 (7.3L) died one day a few weeks ago. I started it up, it ran for a minute, and when I shifted down into Drive, it quit. I put the shifter back into park, pulled the key back to "off" position, moved it forward to the "accessory" position, at which time I noticed the glow plug light did not light up. Tried to start it and nothing - no click, or anything.

When the key is in the ignition, the little "ding-ding-ding" alarm sounds, but when I put the key in accessory position, I get no radio, power windows don't work, and the fan blower doesn't work. In other words, the "accessory" position is not operational.

I have headlights, interior (dome) light, and the door locks work (all should work without the key being in the accessory position).

I took a screwdriver and bridged the negative and positive posts on the starter solenoid on the fender, and the engine cranks, but won't start (no juice to the IP???)

I've tested all the fusible links directly behind the battery, and checked all the fuses in the fuse box, and can't find anything wrong with anything.

I'm coming to the conclusion that it may be the ignition switch itself...??? I don't want to just start throwing parts at it, though.

Any thoughts or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated...

Thanks in advance,
Simon Powell (from Cincinnati, OH)

 

[tradergem]

Sounds like the pot metal linkage that connects the ignition key tumbler to the rod that actually works the ignition switch is cracked or broken. First you need to remove the starter switch which is located on top of the lower part of the steering column.There are two bolts holding it on and there is a long actuator rod with a bent end that pops into a grove in the switch which actually moves the switch back and forth to start and stop the truck. Once you have the switch off the column you can easily check it by using a screw driver to slide the switch back and forth to start and stop the truck. If the switch is ok ( which it usually is) the next thing to check is to grab the end of the actuator rod and have someone turn the key back and forth. If the rod doesn't move in a solid positive back and forth manner then either the upper end is cracke or broken or the pot metal linkage that connects to the upper end of the rod is cracked or broken. You will have to remove the steering wheel and disassymble the upper steering column to fix this. Good luck.
Jim

 

[simonapowell]

Thanks a million Tradergem - I'll give that a try!

I knew I could count on a fellow Oilburner to help out - what a great forum!

 

[tradergem]

Check out the thread by FlySar today. 94f450sd has some pics that may help on this link http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11112&highlight=steering+column

 

[simonapowell]

Oh man - pics help a LOT.

Thanks Again, Trader!