car ran fine on the way home from work today. when I pulled in and parked I shut it off and noticed a little bit of smoke coming out of the steering column. I tried to restart the car and it fealt like ignition tumbler was binding and when I got it to the start position there was nothing. no start no radio no nothing..... I could really use some advice supposed to have in a car show tonight and it wont start :shoothead
Ignition switch. ~$25 from your local Ford dealer.
Is 1 minute fast enough for you?
are you sure that will fix it? so I should be able to pull it out and start it with a screw driver if thats the problem right?
I'm not certain that my advice will work.
The smoke and ignition cylinder binding are two clues that your switch is FUBAR. The dead radio and lack of starting are two more. It is the most likely solution, but I will not guarantee my diagnosis.
I'll go see what I can find out, thanks for the info
by switch you werent talking about the key part itself right? I found what happened... :( I'm guessing this is what you were calling the switch.. the part right behind the key that has the little rod that moves a switch inside. this is what burnt up and it took the plug with it.
By ignition switch, I meant the ignition switch, not the ignition lock cylinder (the part the key goes into).
Ignition switch
(http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/US-98_FULL.jpg)
Ignition lock cylinder
(http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/US-118LB_TERMINAL.jpg)(http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/US-118LB_FRONT.jpg)(http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/US-118LB_FULL.jpg)
Are you saying the ignition switch plug (not pictured) is burnt up? Ouch.
got one at O'reillys for $13 I have installed the switch but I dont have any power getting to it. is there a relay, fusable link, fuse something I should be looking for? sign in is tonight and I have already paid in advance :(
Check the fusible links at the starter solenoid. Also make sure the connector at the ignition switch didn't melt and that the terminals in the connector still have tension.
Then go call your insurance company and tell them they're lucky they're not cutting you a check :hick: When the switch gets to the point that it smokes and burns it often burns the whole bloody car.
Yep, these switches like to come apart
(http://home.comcast.net/~ktf23t/wsb/media/52931/site1014.jpg)
the connector is melted and the soonest I can get one from ford is wednesday. if I put power to the big wire on the switch in the on position everything comes on. is it safe to use it this way?
well I found a burnt link. now does the part store sell fusable links? or can I put an inline fuse there?
they sell a replacement fuseable link for ford cars at autozone.
No, it is not safe to use that way. If the connections at the switch are poor, they will get hot, and they will cause a fire. ONLY use your current connector if you're certain that the electrical terminals inside the connector are making good, solid contact.
Hey I just put one of these in the tbird last night, the ford recall one didn't last that long :(
Anyway is the connector on the wire harness suppose to have a clip to hold it on? It looks like it did and the gay Ford tech broke it off during the recall/repair.
I hate the dealership
well the problem is fixed for now I'll order that pigtail from the ford dealer on monday. Thanks for the info guys