Random Loss of Electrical Power Short in Ignition / Starter Switch

[KZF250]

I have been seeing a lot of members having electrical starting issues lately and have been knocking on wood but in the past week a short has developed in my starter switch. About a week ago truck just died for no apparent reason, restarted fine and off I went. Few days later it happened again but this time I noticed that if the key didn't come back to just the right place it would die again and now that sweet spot is getting smaller and smaller.

Definitely something in the key part of the switch or further down on the switch on the column. After doing some searching on here I'm heeding @towcat 's warning about it possibly being a fire hazard at this point and the DQ'd the batteries until I can pinpoint the problem.

Anything you guys can add is appreciated.

 

[towcat]

buy a slider switch and replace it. it's only $35 and a huge peace of mind.
another thing is have done over the years is to isolate the "crank" portion of the slider by bypassing the wires and installing a separate heavy duty push button elsewhere on my dash. it does two things. one. the stresses on the slider is reduced and two, it's a passive anti-theft feature.

 

[KZF250]

Thanks towcat. Is this what I'm after?

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MOT0/SW2473/02018.oap?year=1984&make=Ford&model=F-250&vi=5006387&ck=Search_ignition+switch_5006387_2827&keyword=ignition+switch

 

[towcat]

Thanks towcat. Is this what I'm after?

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...n+switch_5006387_2827&keyword=ignition+switch

yep.

 

[KZF250]

Finally got around to replacing the switch. After dropping the steering column I could see that the switch had separated and came completely apart once removed from the column.

Starts and runs great now.

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[79jasper]

Oh I've seen one do that before. I put it back together and zip tied it.

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[KZF250]

With all the warnings about truck going into melt down mode I figured it best to just replace.

What does this switch do or not do to make it a fire hazard anyway?