ignition switch
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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ignition switch
Hi I'm workin on a friends 89 f150, 5.0 v8. The ignition switch is completely shot, doesn't work. He doesn't want to have me install a new one so I'm going to convert it to a pushbutton and flip switch.
0roblem is I cannot figure out what wires to splice into. I've looked at wiring diagrams and the colors don't seem to match up. Any help please?
0roblem is I cannot figure out what wires to splice into. I've looked at wiring diagrams and the colors don't seem to match up. Any help please?
April 2010 TOTM Winner
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 515
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From: Panama City, FL
Ignition switch
Are you talking about replacing the ignition switch or the key lock cylinder?
Haynes Repair Manual (Chapter 12) has some instructions for each.
The ignition switch is not that difficult to replace, remove the two bolts that hold up the steering column, let the steering wheel lay on your truck seat. If the cluster is removed it is a lot easier to see and replace the ignition switch, but can be replaced w/o removing the instrument cluster.
If you are replacing the key lock cylinder, that is much more difficult to replace and if you have tilt wheel, you will need a special tool.
Hope this helps.
Haynes Repair Manual (Chapter 12) has some instructions for each.
The ignition switch is not that difficult to replace, remove the two bolts that hold up the steering column, let the steering wheel lay on your truck seat. If the cluster is removed it is a lot easier to see and replace the ignition switch, but can be replaced w/o removing the instrument cluster.
If you are replacing the key lock cylinder, that is much more difficult to replace and if you have tilt wheel, you will need a special tool.
Hope this helps.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Long Beach Calimexifornia
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
I would not do it either. I just took one out of my truck.
When I got my truck, it was wired with a push button under the dash. The last owner said the ignition switch or the key lock cylinder was bad and straight wired it from the battery to the button. The only problem with it was it would start or turn over in gear (it an automatic trans) if the button was pushed.
After putting a key lock cylinder from my buddys truck in it and it still not work, I starting asking around and an old ford guy said that these trucks were bad about the linkage looseing up and not engaging the netural saftey switch. He said, to test it, pull the gear lever all the way up and then try to start it. If it starts, adjust the linkage. If it don't then it is more the likely the ignition switch. Mine was the linkage.
Hope this helps
When I got my truck, it was wired with a push button under the dash. The last owner said the ignition switch or the key lock cylinder was bad and straight wired it from the battery to the button. The only problem with it was it would start or turn over in gear (it an automatic trans) if the button was pushed.
After putting a key lock cylinder from my buddys truck in it and it still not work, I starting asking around and an old ford guy said that these trucks were bad about the linkage looseing up and not engaging the netural saftey switch. He said, to test it, pull the gear lever all the way up and then try to start it. If it starts, adjust the linkage. If it don't then it is more the likely the ignition switch. Mine was the linkage.
Hope this helps
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 58,557
Likes: 1,165
From: Long Beach Calimexifornia
I would not do it either. I just took one out of my truck.
When I got my truck, it was wired with a push button under the dash. The last owner said the ignition switch or the key lock cylinder was bad and straight wired it from the battery to the button. The only problem with it was it would start or turn over in gear (it an automatic trans) if the button was pushed.
After putting a key lock cylinder from my buddys truck in it and it still not work, I starting asking around and an old ford guy said that these trucks were bad about the linkage looseing up and not engaging the netural saftey switch. He said, to test it, pull the gear lever all the way up and then try to start it. If it starts, adjust the linkage. If it don't then it is more the likely the ignition switch. Mine was the linkage.
Hope this helps
When I got my truck, it was wired with a push button under the dash. The last owner said the ignition switch or the key lock cylinder was bad and straight wired it from the battery to the button. The only problem with it was it would start or turn over in gear (it an automatic trans) if the button was pushed.
After putting a key lock cylinder from my buddys truck in it and it still not work, I starting asking around and an old ford guy said that these trucks were bad about the linkage looseing up and not engaging the netural saftey switch. He said, to test it, pull the gear lever all the way up and then try to start it. If it starts, adjust the linkage. If it don't then it is more the likely the ignition switch. Mine was the linkage.
Hope this helps
