96 Mercury Sable Steering Column Repair

BURRELLD

MEMBER
1996 MERCURY SABLE

The linkage, slider, ? Between the key and the ignition switch does not "link" anything together.

The key Ignition Lock Cylinder works properly and the Ignition Switch, located underneath the steering column, works fine.

I can start the car by moving the slider peg on that ignition switch box. It seems that there is nothing linked between the The key Ignition Lock Cylinder and the ignition switch.

Since that needed link is located inside of the steering column, is there a way to fix it, or do I need a new column?

1 Reply

BURRELLD

MEMBER
7 POSTS

Actually it was two parts, FODZ3E715A Retail $8.52 F2DZ3E723A Retail $10.77.

But you are right, it looks difficult as all get out to try to replace those internal parts, so I just bought a good used steering column from a salvage yard, and installed my old lock cylinder, and it works so that the car is now drivable.

But since I have so many new and used parts for that steering column, and some time now, I'll tackle the job of repairing the "busted" steering column.

I 'm going to do that because, in searching the web, and talking to some auto repair friends of mine, I've found that my problem also seems to be common on many Ford tilt steering columns over 5 to 10 or so years old.