I need help identifying this as soon as possible. I was at a friends house and when I went to leave i put the key in and turn it and it goes into run/acc and suddenly just....breaks loose... I can turn the key all the way forward and back and nothing happens, the power just stays on.

I was able to take the covers off from around the steering wheel and get the cylinder out and with an allen key I turned it forward and got it to start, but when I tried to turn it back it wouldn't shut off. so...bad idea maybe....I grabbed my pliers and pulled the wire from the ignition coil and it shut off. I unhooked the battery and am now trying to figure out what went wrong....

Please help me... I know its something in the column and hopefully it's something easy to fix..

 

it sounds like you broke the ignition switch does the key grab on anything? or does it just twist free?
don't forget to check your fuses.

 

fuses are fine. I went to turn the key and it went into run/acc, but when I tried to turn it all the way forward to start it wouldn't go. and then the key just turns forward an back but doesnt do anything. When the battery is hoked it up its stuck in run/acc. I took the cylinder out and turned the piece inside the column with an allen key and got it to start, but when i tried to turn it back to shut it off...it wouldn't work...

I already have the truck off. just trying to find out whats wrong so i can get it fixed.

 

i also found a thread on here with a guy that had the same problem...but he got help from a different site and the didn't post a link to the thread on the other site where he got help. just a link to the homepage of the site.

 

Eh, it sounds like the actuator-thingie broke. This is a pot-metal POS having a high failure rate that goes around the ignition lock cylinder and actuates the rod going down to the true ignition switch at the base of the steering column near the pedals.

As far as I know, it's a dealer-only part, and as soon as you describe the year and what happened - any parts man worth his salt will know what you need and where it's shelved without needing to even look at the computer screen.

 

well that just turns my work to right now. its already 8pm here...

 

still gonna try to look at it and see the exact part just in case.... All i wanted to do today was install my wink mirror... and this happens. Guess my truck doesn't like when i have to drill holes in it...

 

thanks for the help. I'll update when i get it fixed.

 

well you can do the old school hot wire until you get it fixed. it might be the safety switch if its a stick they can go bad sometimes.

 

You can get the acuators at the parts houses for about $10