BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise April 23, 2007, 12:09:00 AM Howdy - I am 99% sure I have a bad ignition switch, as my symptoms mimic those described by several members here.The car: Roxanne (1987 20th Anniversary Ed., 185,000 miles)The symptoms:Began with switch being more & more "finicky" about location to be in for ACC position to functionSlowly developed the ability to remove the key from the ignition...in positions where you shouldn't be able to. :hick: Last Week, developed the problem of imediately shutting off right after releasing key from START position...sometimes. (Would remain running if I eased key back to ON position carefully.)Finally, yesterday, almost stranded at local mall when I could not get it to start/remain running. (Immediatle shut itself off EVERY time.)I immediately suspected the switch, and while cussing myself for continuing to drive the car despite my awareness of the increasing difficulties, I stumbled upon the "holding the key in the position between START and ON" trick. I limped home with virtually nothing electrical on the car functioning - no gauges, no A/C (it is hot here), no power windows (it was hot), no blinkers (sucked). Oddly enough I could adjust the power mirrors (discovered before I left my parking space and was actually driving). I also discovered the cramping fingers and wrist problem associated with trying to drive this way for 15 miles!I have not had a chance to investigate the solution to this problem much, and would appreciate any input (confirmation of problem, point me in the direction of where to find info. for what to do, etc.)Any help from someone familiar with my problem is greatly appreciated! :D Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #1 – April 23, 2007, 06:14:13 AM Quotewould appreciate any inputBuy new switch.Remove old switch.Install new switch.Take aspirin for cramped fingers. Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #2 – April 23, 2007, 06:20:26 AM Been there done that, I think cramping in my fingers is finally gone now. I got a switch from Auto Zone and was lucky enough for it to be part of a mass of junk ones built. Save yourself some trouble and get one from Ford, less than 20 bucks. Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #3 – April 23, 2007, 09:14:15 AM I once had the connector for the switch come unplugged on my 88. It made it so I had to pull on the shifter to get it to start. Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #4 – April 23, 2007, 10:25:27 AM Thanks everyone for the responses.I will try to do a little reading up on the removal/install proceedure (I assume it will be in my shop manual somewhere) and purchase the switch some time this week.I won't have time to try to tackle this until this coming weekend at the earliest. I will keep y'all posted on the outcome! Thank again. Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #5 – April 23, 2007, 12:20:00 PM It's about a 15-20 minute job. Simple as hell. The only thing you'll need is a torx bit with a hole in it (called "tamper proof torx"). I'm not sure the exact size,but you should be able to get a whole tamper-proof bit set for about $3 Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #6 – April 23, 2007, 01:21:15 PM I drilled the pins off and used a regular torx Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #7 – April 23, 2007, 01:58:46 PM I bought the set so i could use them at the boneyard. Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #8 – April 25, 2007, 12:06:45 AM I had to replace the one on my yellow cat. If i can do it, I'm sure you will have no problems. Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #9 – April 25, 2007, 11:22:23 AM I used small vicegrips to remove mine... Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #10 – April 25, 2007, 10:25:43 PM Well, one little step closer to getting it done - I got myself a "tamper-proof" screwdriver bit set. I got it at Sears a couple days ago. (I know, I know...NOT the least expensive way to go, but I was there, it was there, and I like Sears.)Oh, and I took the time to look it up in the shop manual tonite.I think I can do this! :D Oh, I guess I should try to buy a new switch now. I'll try to get that done tomorrow, and will try to switch out the switches this weekend. I'll let you guys know how it works out! Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #11 – April 25, 2007, 10:41:34 PM The old switch will be separated like this: Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #12 – April 26, 2007, 03:29:19 PM Royce, its very easy. Just relax. Quote Selected
DoNE! (finally!) Reply #13 – May 13, 2007, 12:59:00 AM Well, it took me a long time...only because I could not seem to find any free time the past couple of weeks, but earlier today I finally got around to it.My original switch was pretty much like the one pictured in Couga5.0's post...kinda separated on one side. Once I had it out I went ahead and pulled it apart to see how it works - pretty simple, really. Before looking into all of this, I was always under the (mistaken) impression that the switch and the key cylinder were one and the same thing, :hick: but now I see how turning the key is connected to the actual switch.After I had the new switch in place, I tried it out, and all is back to the way things should be, gladly. So then it was time to give Roxanne a bath. Then it was time to take her out for a ride. Then it was time to (start) waxing her (not done with that).Thanks again to everyone's help/suggestions/support. I like it when I can fix it myself! :D Quote Selected
BAD Ignition Switch - Please Advise Reply #14 – May 13, 2007, 01:11:33 AM Quotewhat is the chinese auction? We're raffling off 4thqtr. He's pretty good for reaching the low parts when you clean the car. LMAO Quote Selected
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