I've recently installed a new lock cylinder in my 84' Elan in which the old lock cylinder tumblers completely fell apart. But even before I changed the lock cylinder, it always had a problem with the electrical on switch. As I'll turn it on, it wont stay on.
I have to crank the engine, then hold the switch perfectly so the electrical wont shut off and kill the engine.
Not to mention, if I come to a really mean stop (dog runs in front of you and so forth) and brace onto the steering wheel a little to hard, the electrical will cut out as well making me restart the engine.
Does anyone have a similar problem or does anyone know what might be causing it?
My knowledge of igniton lock cylinder switches is extremely limited.
You should strongly consider changing the ignition switch (which isn't the same as the lock cylinder). Otherwise, it sounds almost as if you have a pinched wire somewhere in the column.
If you're going to tear it apart to look, it would be the ideal time to change the switch.
Repl the switch, they are basically junk on a 20+ year old car... It was common for switch to catch fire and burn the car, Ford does have a recall on the '88-'92 models to repl switches... From the looks of some of the ratty old switches I've seen, the earlier ones can get awfully hot as well...