Not to sound like a know-it-all (especially since I'm the one trying to figure this out), but why is it that you can start the truck with the key on and jump the two solenoid posts? I would think that a momentary push button wired to the same two points would do the same thing - just trying to figure out if I can find those under the dash, or have to pull wire from the solenoid itself.

 

Since you say it will be temporary I will tell you the easiest way. Take any power from the fuse box and run it to the momentary switch. If you use a power that is hot all the time then the starter can be operated even with the key off but won't start unless the key is on. Then the other wire, if you don't want to crawl on your back looking under the dash for the wire then run one from the solenoid to the momentary switch. If you don't mind looking for the wire then it will be the red one with the light blue stripe. There will be no in and out, just out to the solenoid. In takes its power from the ignition switch power supply. Depending on where the park/neutral position switch is you can connect to the wire there, but preferably before it so the truck won't start in gear. If you have the manual lever position sensor that one is on the transmission so you wouldn't want to hook there since you would have to run it from underneath into the cab. The momentary switch is fine for this since you are only hooking to the solenoid which is a relay. If the full voltage to the starter were passing through the switch then it would burn out.

 

I appreciate all of the info - after putting WD-40 in it, the old key has been turning a lot easier. Maybe it was just gummed up... It was really cold today, and it was much easier to start than previously. I think I'll hold off on anything crazy as long as it's working as well as it is now.

 

glad the simple way worked out, i bet if you pulled the switch sprayed it out w/ brake clean, let it dry and a small shot of wd-40 and she'd work like new, get all the crud out!

 

Alien, the weather has nothing to do with the problem. My 88 F250 started to be progressively hard to turn to start. I evenually twisted the lobe off the switch. $458.00 later it was fixed. I would spend $30 for a new key switch and go with it. IMHO

 

Wow... this kind of came out of the distant past...

I did replace the lock cylinder, and checked all of the internal column stuff (switch, rod, etc.) and it's working well now.

Here's the funny thing - just yesterday, this thread came to mind. I accidentally pushed forward on the turn signal lever, and it moved forward. I played around for a minute and realized I have a tilt column (assumed it was, but was looking for a separate lever).

Call me an idiot, but my old Eddie Bauer Bronco obviously had tilt, and I never figured it out either...

I dropped it down one notch from where it had always been, and the few times I've started the truck since then, it's felt like new. I don't know if the linkage would be affected by the tilt angle, but it seems wierd that it's been so much smoother since moving the wheel around, and it's even wierder that this thread came back the next day!

 

Alien, I too have tilt. And if not in a straight line, the two piece rod gets in a bind. Tilt, in theory is for access only and should be adjusted after entry.After my expensive outing I do not move the steering at all. The steering setup that you and I have has been recalled in 1996 for this very reason. Ford fix most but the problem is one of wear. I am thinking of push button start which is what brought me to this site. Let me kknow of any developments.

 

i had this problem and my acuater i think its called broke so now i have to start my truck with a pair of pliers. it sucks

 

CJ, you will evenually twist the lobe off the switch using pliers as I did. Best to replace switch before that happens.

 

I don't know why but this doesn't seem as hard to do as others seem to think so but maybe I am just ignorant. First, if you jump into your truck to start it you turn your key to the on position which in turn energizes your ignition wires be it 1 or 2 of them and your accessory wire also and it turns your guages on and unlocks the steering wheel correct? Now we turn the key forward and the rod travels down contacting a switch that in turn energizes the starter wire that is under the dash, the truck starts and we let go of the key and the key returns to the on position correct? So why can't you jump into your truck turn your key to the on position and press the push button start? I would assume that all you would have to do for the push button start is supply a constant 12 volt pulse with enough amperage on the starter wire under the dash and it would start? I mean as long as when you let off your start button when it starts I don't know why that wouldnt work. Let me know if I have missed something!