Hey guys I've got some minor issues with my truck I would like to resolve. I recently put a new ignition switch in my truck. The starter stuck on again today at the gas station. Pulling the negative cable didn't fix it this time, so I pulled my fuse panel cover and grabbed the actuator rod and pulled out on it. Hooked the cables back up and it didn't stick again. So I'm thinking I just need to adjust it. Any advice on that? I've read you put the key in lock position and insert a drill bit into a hole to hold it into position then adjust the switch. My other issue is my truck wouldn't start while it was hot. It used to never start back up while it was hot. You would have to wait about 10 to 15 minutes for it to cool down then it would start right back up. I fixed this issue by installing a new starter, new battery cables, and a new battery. My pos cable is 4 gauge and my neg cable is 1 gauge, grounded to one of the starter bolts. It never gave me any more troubles again until today. I'm stumped on that one. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

The switch is adjusted at the actual switch ( the white plastic part) not at the key cylinder. First make sure the actuator rod is moving freely. There is a linkage between the cylinder and the actuator rod that often breaks. If that's good, loosen the bolts holding the switch and slide it up or down until it lines up right. Hot start problem is usually a sign of a bad starter or bad battery so you did the right thing when you replaced everything. Once you test out the switch and determine its working well test out the solenoid. Always make sure to double check wires and clean the connections and make sure they are clamped tight. Loose or dirty connections can burn out every piece if the system and you won't know till they quit. So anytime you work in the electrical system its good practice to remove clean and reinstall all the connections.

 

My key and ignition works good but it hangs up a little bit when I turn the truck off. It didn't do this before. I forgot it has a new solenoid too. A local shop rebuilt the starter for me. I also had them rebuild my alternator. My charging system works awesome now and it turns over with pretty good speed when cold. It has always turned over slower when hot but not slow enough to not start it..until yesterday. I will try cleaning all connections again.

 

What do you mean by hangs up?

 

It has a little resistance when I turn the key back oh and also it is harder to turn clockwise too.

 

I would pull the steering wheel and take a look at the ignition assembly. See if something is jammed up. Make sure you google a diagram first. The parts can get confusing especially if you have tilt steering.

 

I do have tilt steering. I've seen YouTube videos on it and it doesn't seem too hard... I have heard their are many small parts.

 

I once had to replace my actuator rod when the metal piece in it that links to another rod going to the ignition box broke. I also have tilt and an air bag, cruise. It wasn't awful to do, but I don't care to do it again. It took me all day. One day it just broke to where I couldn't turn off my truck, I could only start it.

 

The problem is getting all the parts to line up right.

 

Ok guys.. I need to get this figured out. I had some weird problems with my truck this morning. I started it up and drove it to work and it did great. I pulled up to the light right down from my work and it died. So I tried re starting it, then the hot start problem happened again. And then I turned the key off, and the starter continued to rur...rur...rur so I pulled the neg cable again. I left it off for a little then hooked it up. Waited about 5 minutes and it fired right up then died again. Started it back up went to work and parked it. It was barely idling at like 450 to 500 rpms in park. After work when I was headed to Walmart it fired right up and drove great. ????? Also the starter turned over nice and quick. It idled fine. At Walmart the starter stuck again! Got it unstuck and drove home. It drove great again. I don't know what the deal is.