OT Ford truck 91 F150

55 50 Ron · Feb 25, 2016

Ignition switch is quite hard to turn into the start position. It's worse in colder weather. Should it be lubricated? Is there a recommended lubricant if it needs that? Looks like a very hard place to get into to service that switch.

Thanks for your suggestions

Ron

jm. · Feb 25, 2016

Any good hardware store will have a little plastic tube of graphite or lock lub. squirt right in where the key goes. Usually will make one work fine/

4play · Feb 25, 2016

I assume this is a tilt column? if so they are more prone to wear, but the fixed columns can do it too. If tilt, then tilt the wheel all the way down and from the top of the column look down between the two sections where it tilts. You will see a metal piece right on top and it moves when you turn the lock cylinder. Try to spray that piece and direct spray back towards the steering wheel.

What has happened is there is an actuator piece that transfers the lock cylinder motion to a metal rod that travels down the top of the column to the the ignition switch. This actuator piece is what wears out and causes the bind. Sometimes tilting the wheel in another position will help turn the key.

You can also remove the lock cylinder easily to lube the cylinder and the actuator gear. Locate the small hole right where the emergency flasher goes into the column, you will need a small pic, piece of coat hanger or thin screwdriver to push into that hole. Turn the ign cylinder to "run", push button inside hole and pull cylinder out.

Bob · Feb 25, 2016

More than likely, the "gummyness" is where the "yoke" that operates the actual ignition switch slides in the upper steering column.

Lubing the actual lock cylinder doesn't get lube anywhere near the actual stickyness is. (But it can't hurt to try.)

The mechanism shown in RED is what usually gets gummy. The drawing is NOT exact for your vehicle but gives a good idea of what the layout of the lock cylinder, actuator and ignition switch is.

<img src = "http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/content/how-to/en_US/0996b43f/80/a0/12/61/f32-17gif.gif">

Mike M · Feb 26, 2016

Wonder if it is the lock cylinder or the switch ?

Those Fords have a history of lock cylinder problems. Good news is they a super easy to replace as long as it still turns.

Hobo,NC · Feb 26, 2016

(quoted from post at 08:34:12 02/26/16) Ignition switch is quite hard to turn into the start position. It's worse in colder weather. Should it be lubricated? Is there a recommended lubricant if it needs that? Looks like a very hard place to get into to service that switch.

Thanks for your suggestions

Ron

If its not the key lock cyl are the ignition switch its a MF'er to replace the Ignition Actuator - With Tilt Wheel assy.

Super-H-Mike · Feb 26, 2016

The part that goes bad is what we call the "rack" . Its a sorta key shaped pot metal piece with some teeth on it. It isn't the worst job to replace it. Usually when you tilt the wheel to a certain place it will work better when they are worn like that. I have seen guys install a push button start switch instead of replacing the worn parts.

GVSII · Feb 26, 2016

Echoing Hobo's post.That piece is a pain to R&R!Best to fix it before it breaks!

Ferd · Feb 26, 2016

Try Liquid Graphite. Good for locks as it doesn't get gummy and attract dirt.

OT Ford truck 91 F150

55 50 Ron

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jm.

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4play

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Bob

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Mike M

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Hobo,NC

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Super-H-Mike

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GVSII

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Ferd

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