midd66

My 96 f150 ignition switch is giving me a hard time. It has progressively gotten worse over the last week at not wanting to turn. I have to jiggle the key and cylinder and the shifter, its an automatic. Sometime just a quick jiggle and it will release and turn, lately it takes a bit longer. Is there an adjustment for this or something I need to look at? Or do I just need to order a new key cylinder?

Steve83

No, never buy or change a part until you KNOW it's going to solve a problem, or it's on the maintenance schedule.

With the key OUT, does the cylinder bezel spin? Click this, read the caption, & the NEXT several:


(phone app link)

Is the truck parked on a tilt, or with a front tire against an obstacle? That can backfeed up the steering column & jam the key/wheel interlock mechanism. Park on flat ground with the steering wheel released BEFORE turning the key off.

Is the shifter loose or sloppy? There are several parts on the steering column that wear & get loose, but they're cheap & easy to fix. Read this caption & the NEXT few:


(phone app link)

To help you more, we need to see ALL the truck's details in your signature, as this caption explains:


(phone app link)