1988 Ford Ranger broken ignition

BATONGA12

MEMBER
1988 FORD RANGER
4 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
113,000 MILES

I have an 88 ranger thats manual. Something happend to my ignition and now I cant put my key all the way in to start the engine. I looked inside and I saw something in the way. I think its part of the actual ignition because I had been driving the truck about 30 minutes prior to this happening so I dont think anything was put inside. The piece must have broken while I took out my key. Any ideas on how to fix it?

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,383 POSTS

You will have to drill down the centre of the lock to release it ...the old barrel will only come out if it is in the run position ....then replace with new

CAUTION:Special care must be taken to avoid bumping, jolting or hammering on the steering shaft and gearshift tube.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
LOCK CYLINDER
Removal
Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove trim shroud. Remove electrical connector from key warning switch. Turn ignition switch to "RUN" position.
Place a 1/8" diameter pin in the hole located in outer edge of lock cylinder housing. Depress retaining pin, and pull out lock cylinder.
Fig. 1: Typical Column Type Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder Removal On most vehicles, push in to release lock retainer.
Installation
Lubricate cylinder cavity with lock cylinder lubricant. Turn ignition switch to "RUN" position. Depress retaining pin and insert it into lock cylinder housing.
Make sure cylinder is fully seated and aligned into interlocking washer before turning key to "OFF" position. Use key to rotate cylinder to make sure of correct mechanical operation in all positions.
Install electrical connector into key warning switch. Connect negative battery cable. Check ignition switch functions and verify that column is locked when switch is in "LOCK" position.
IGNITION SWITCH
Removal
Rotate lock cylinder key to "LOCK" position. Disconnect negative battery cable. On tilt columns, remove upper extension shroud by squeezing at the 6 and 10 o'clock positions, and popping free of the retaining plate at the 3 o'clock position.
Remove 2 shroud halves by removing the 2 attaching screws. On all models, disconnect electrical connector from ignition switch. Drill out the 2 break-off bolt heads holding the ignition switch to lock cylinder with a 1/8" drill bit.
Using a screw extractor, remove bolts. Disengage ignition switch from actuator pin and remove switch.
Installation
Rotate ignition key to the "RUN" position. Install switch by aligning the holes on switch casting base with the holes in the lock cylinder housing. Minor movement of the lock cylinder to align the actuator pin with slot in switch carrier may be required.
Install the new break-off bolts and tighten until heads shear off. Connect the electrical connector to the ignition switch. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.