Ignition Problems
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: AB, Canada
Ignition Problems
Hey there
I recently got my hands on a 1990 F-150 XLT Lariat as my first project vehicle. I am still very new to mechanics and I am having issues figuring out the issue with my ignition.
The previous owner told me the ignition is shot, and so my first fixes were steering column and key tumbler. While the ignition was broken, he had routed an extension cord from the solenoid into the cab and had been starting the truck that way. The truck, with the new steering column and tumbler starts when using this jumper, (which means I have good spark, fuel pressure, the fuel pumps work, etc. etc.) however when I try to start it off the key, It turns over, but doesn't even try to start. I initially thought this to be a crank position sensor, but quickly realized that it's too old to have one. Also, I recently cleaned up the connections on my distributor. I've had my brother who is heavy duty come look and he was at a loss, which I can understand because hes heavy duty and not street cars.
Basically, I'm at a loss. Would it pass an inspection with a jumper? Or will I have to fix it? Also, What could the problem even be?
I recently got my hands on a 1990 F-150 XLT Lariat as my first project vehicle. I am still very new to mechanics and I am having issues figuring out the issue with my ignition.
The previous owner told me the ignition is shot, and so my first fixes were steering column and key tumbler. While the ignition was broken, he had routed an extension cord from the solenoid into the cab and had been starting the truck that way. The truck, with the new steering column and tumbler starts when using this jumper, (which means I have good spark, fuel pressure, the fuel pumps work, etc. etc.) however when I try to start it off the key, It turns over, but doesn't even try to start. I initially thought this to be a crank position sensor, but quickly realized that it's too old to have one. Also, I recently cleaned up the connections on my distributor. I've had my brother who is heavy duty come look and he was at a loss, which I can understand because hes heavy duty and not street cars.
Basically, I'm at a loss. Would it pass an inspection with a jumper? Or will I have to fix it? Also, What could the problem even be?
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,256
Likes: 1,770
From: Memphis, TN, Earth, Milky Way
Call the local inspection station to ask what will & won't pass. You haven't put your location in your profile, so we can't even guess. Same for the ignition problem - there are more than 2 dozen components to that system, and any one or group of them could be the cause.
If you plan to keep & drive this truck, you need a Haynes manual. It contains an ignition diagnostic procedure in Ch.5 (usually Sec.5 or 7, depending which edition you get) that's very methodical & thorough. If you follow it, it WILL identify any ignition system faults. But the "ignition switch" isn't really part of the ignition system - it's just a big switch that turns the system on (among MANY other things). A hard copy is best for working because you can flip to a page & read across the whole thing, but the caption of this pic also links to a PDF version:
(click this link)
Eventually, you need to read the whole thing cover-to-cover at least once so you know what's in it & where to look. You can cross through things that don't apply to your truck using a lightly-colored pencil (ink will bleed through the thin pages) so that you can still read through it if you ever need to. The ignition switch WAS a known problem, but if it was going to fail, it should have by now, which means the one on the column is probably already a replacement.
(click this link)
The more pics you post, the more helpful we can be. As you learn things about the truck's features & history, add them to your signature so we can review them with each reply, as this caption explains:
(click this link)
There's also a link in that caption that explains several ways to embed pics in your post, including the way I'm doing. There's another link in that caption to a list of automotive terms & abbreviations.
Read the date codes on the tires - they're dangerous if more than 8 years old. Find the DOT numbers, and read the 3rd group of 4 digits.
(click this link)
If you plan to keep & drive this truck, you need a Haynes manual. It contains an ignition diagnostic procedure in Ch.5 (usually Sec.5 or 7, depending which edition you get) that's very methodical & thorough. If you follow it, it WILL identify any ignition system faults. But the "ignition switch" isn't really part of the ignition system - it's just a big switch that turns the system on (among MANY other things). A hard copy is best for working because you can flip to a page & read across the whole thing, but the caption of this pic also links to a PDF version:
(click this link)
Eventually, you need to read the whole thing cover-to-cover at least once so you know what's in it & where to look. You can cross through things that don't apply to your truck using a lightly-colored pencil (ink will bleed through the thin pages) so that you can still read through it if you ever need to. The ignition switch WAS a known problem, but if it was going to fail, it should have by now, which means the one on the column is probably already a replacement.
(click this link)
The more pics you post, the more helpful we can be. As you learn things about the truck's features & history, add them to your signature so we can review them with each reply, as this caption explains:
(click this link)
There's also a link in that caption that explains several ways to embed pics in your post, including the way I'm doing. There's another link in that caption to a list of automotive terms & abbreviations.
Read the date codes on the tires - they're dangerous if more than 8 years old. Find the DOT numbers, and read the 3rd group of 4 digits.
(click this link)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: AB, Canada
Call the local inspection station to ask what will & won't pass. You haven't put your location in your profile, so we can't even guess. Same for the ignition problem - there are more than 2 dozen components to that system, and any one or group of them could be the cause.
If you plan to keep & drive this truck, you need a Haynes manual. It contains an ignition diagnostic procedure in Ch.5 (usually Sec.5 or 7, depending which edition you get) that's very methodical & thorough. If you follow it, it WILL identify any ignition system faults. But the "ignition switch" isn't really part of the ignition system - it's just a big switch that turns the system on (among MANY other things). A hard copy is best for working because you can flip to a page & read across the whole thing, but the caption of this pic also links to a PDF version:
(click this link)
Eventually, you need to read the whole thing cover-to-cover at least once so you know what's in it & where to look. You can cross through things that don't apply to your truck using a lightly-colored pencil (ink will bleed through the thin pages) so that you can still read through it if you ever need to. The ignition switch WAS a known problem, but if it was going to fail, it should have by now, which means the one on the column is probably already a replacement.
(click this link)
The more pics you post, the more helpful we can be. As you learn things about the truck's features & history, add them to your signature so we can review them with each reply, as this caption explains:
(click this link)
There's also a link in that caption that explains several ways to embed pics in your post, including the way I'm doing. There's another link in that caption to a list of automotive terms & abbreviations.
Read the date codes on the tires - they're dangerous if more than 8 years old. Find the DOT numbers, and read the 3rd group of 4 digits.
(click this link)
If you plan to keep & drive this truck, you need a Haynes manual. It contains an ignition diagnostic procedure in Ch.5 (usually Sec.5 or 7, depending which edition you get) that's very methodical & thorough. If you follow it, it WILL identify any ignition system faults. But the "ignition switch" isn't really part of the ignition system - it's just a big switch that turns the system on (among MANY other things). A hard copy is best for working because you can flip to a page & read across the whole thing, but the caption of this pic also links to a PDF version:
(click this link)
Eventually, you need to read the whole thing cover-to-cover at least once so you know what's in it & where to look. You can cross through things that don't apply to your truck using a lightly-colored pencil (ink will bleed through the thin pages) so that you can still read through it if you ever need to. The ignition switch WAS a known problem, but if it was going to fail, it should have by now, which means the one on the column is probably already a replacement.
(click this link)
The more pics you post, the more helpful we can be. As you learn things about the truck's features & history, add them to your signature so we can review them with each reply, as this caption explains:
(click this link)
There's also a link in that caption that explains several ways to embed pics in your post, including the way I'm doing. There's another link in that caption to a list of automotive terms & abbreviations.
Read the date codes on the tires - they're dangerous if more than 8 years old. Find the DOT numbers, and read the 3rd group of 4 digits.
(click this link)
I have a Haynes manual for my daily driver, which is a Pontiac Vibe but I didn't realize they made them that old. I'll look into getting one.
Also, I called my inspection shop, and it will pass. I drilled a hole in an unused section of the trim and put in a button for the ignition. I guess I have a push start now haha.
I still have a sizable list of things I need to get done, starting with pinion seal for rear diff, thermostat, rims and rubbers, brakes, and e-brake. After that, she should be road-worthy. My dad is pretty gifted in auto motives so he's been helping me along. (I would have failed on tie-rod ends and drag link if it wasn't for his help)
