Ignition switch not working properly

Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD F-250
  • 384,000 MILES
Could not turn off the truck. The key would turn back and forth but not shut it down. I think the ignition switch actuator (plastic piece with pin that engages the ignition switch) has broken. I pulled the fuel line fuse to turn the truck off. Can I pull the ignition switch and, by hand, turn the truck on to get it to the shop?
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 5:50 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
When you turn the key on now that the truck is off, does the cluster and lights come on like you are going to start it or does the ignition switch not work at all?

Let's start with this info and go from there because that will change what we need to do.

I would not recommend trying to remove the switch and trying to turn it by hand with a screw driver or something because that will most likely damage the column and then that will need to be replaced as well.

Let me know and we can go from there. Thanks
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The plastic white ignition switch under the steering column, if I remove the 2 screws and manually push the pin to the start position will it start?
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Are you referring to the pin behind the ignition switch? Meaning the pin that the tab at the end of the cylinder turns to start the vehicle? See the picture below.

If you can get a picture of what you are dealing with if this is not it, we can get on the same page. Thanks
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
No, the pin on the rectangular white part (ignition switch) that has electrical cords plugged into it under the dash. When you turn the key it pushes the plastic ignition actuator which pushes the pin on that white plastic rectangle (ignition switch) that I described above. Can I unscrew the white rectangle ignition switch from under the dash and push the pin to start the truck?
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Sorry but I think we are calling things by different names, so I am not on the same page. Is this the part that you are referring too? If not, can you get a picture of it?
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yes.
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yes. And Can I start the truck by pushing the pin on this part? And will the steering wheel lock release?
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yes that is the part. If I can start it by pushing that pin will the steering lock disengage?
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
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  • 11 POSTS
Thank you KASEKENNY1 for your help.
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 9:30 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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I have never tried this but in theory that should work as the key cylinder moves this switch to engage the starter. As for the steering lock being released I am not sure about that because I have not done this. But again this should work but I have a feeling that Ford put in some redundancies that may prevent this. Again I am torn on this and would just say to try it because I am not sure what the difference would be from your finger versus the lock cylinder with the key. The only thing I can think is there is a circuit completed when you insert the key.
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I did it and pushed the ignition switch forward (white rectangular box under dash) and it started right up. Steering wheel was free. Got to destination then pulled switch back and engine shut off. Weird how easy it would be to steal a 250 with just 2 screws.
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Haha. You took the words right out of my mind. Glad it worked out for you and to say the least, I am surprised it worked. Thanks for coming to 2CarPros.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I'm surprised how easy it is to start that F250. I'm surprised because all you have to do is take two screws out and push the PIN to start the truck and the steering column is free.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
JASON JONES4
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Is that easy to steal a vehicle who has the ignition pin underneath the dash?
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 8:56 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Unfortunately it appears that way. I have asked a dealer that I work with if they can try to verify this just for my own knowledge but I can't figure out if your vehicle has anything wrong so I have to assume at this point that this is the way they all are. I will let you know what they say when they get back to me.
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Sunday, August 16th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM

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