giginfrogg

I have an ignition problem. Sometimes I go to start it, I can hear the starter click and no ignition. Try to turn the key again and the truck is dead, no radio, lights, nothing. Newer battery, and starter, no loose wires on the starter. When the trucks in the dead mode I can pull off the battery cables and put them back and it will start right up. Its seems to reset something. When its in the funny dead mode sometimes the lights are dim in the interior, and I can hear the bell inside clicking double time. The ignition is quite old sometimes you can turn it with out the key, or even take the key out while running. Any Ideas, second solenoid, ignition..? Thanks 1995 f150 351 Windsor 4x4 207000 miles automatic trans.

etex

Sounds like you may need a new cylinder for the key. I bought a complete set a few months back, ignition and doors matched, for about $100. Not too difficult to change them out.

Rusty but trusty

^ that or you have a loose/corroded ground. Bad grounds do some wacky things

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Both good things to check out; sounds like you do need a new key cylinder (easy to change) but the key switch doesn't actually make contacts for the starter, it moves a rod which moves the switch that is located further down the column (it's white and has a whole bunch of wires plugged into it). That switch is a possibility. Checking the grounds and cleaning all the contacts in the starter circuit (including all the grounds) would be the first order of business, I would think.