HELP! Before I have to sell it...

[crazeetxn]

I think I've got my engine tuned right finally, but here's another problem and it seems kind of big.

My ignition will not catch and turn or produce power. What I mean is, when I put the key in, I can't push it in and turn it. It will turn forward to where the tabs are horizontal, but that's it. No first click on to turn blinkers, air, or anything on and it won't start.

I replaced the cylinder thinking that's it, but it does the same thing. It won't turn without the key, but when you put the key in, it just goes all the way forward.

Please tell me it's a spring inside the column that replaceable...if I keep working on this thing, wife threatens me I'm gonna have to sell it (not really, but you get my point).

It's an '86 with tilt...

[Jeramy]

there is a part in your column called a ignition switch rack. my guess is it looks like the one in the bottom of this picture

dorman part number 83211

[crazeetxn]

That seems fairly simple. So how much of the column will have to be torn down to get to it?

[Jeramy]

pull the steering wheel, lock plate,turn signal switch, ignition lock cylinder,and lock cylinder housing.

this will get you down to where you can see it. you will have to pull the spring out of the bottom of the tilt mechanism, which can be done by pressing and turning on cap with square hole in it. then pull the tilt pins to slide the upper tilt housing out enough to actually get the part out and back in.

i have replaced quit a few of these and am able to do one in about half a hour now.

if you do this yourself make sure to check the 4 bolts around the tilt swivel joint while you are in there for tightness. if they are loose your steering wheel flops around

[Jeramy]

this is how it sits in column

link to a detailed walk through
http://www.truckforum.org/threads/77...mn-help.35364/

[crazeetxn]

Thanks for all the info. Doesn't seem as bad as I was thinking it could be. I'll tear it down tomorrow and let you know what I find out.

[crazeetxn]

Any trick on getting more slack out of the wires? This is as far as it will go and the upper half just doesn't make it over the steering shaft. My only other alternative that I see is removing the hazard/turn signal module where the wires come in.

[chrismoore701]

You should be able to just unplug it from the side of the column and you can pull it all the way out. A little tricky to feed it but not a big deal

[Jeramy]

under the dash it is clipped to the side of the steering column down by the ignition switch. pop it loose there and it will give you plenty o slack

[crazeetxn]

Well, I was able to get more slack and get it to where I can finish up. Local store had the part, but now I have to get the dang pivot pins out and they can't have the tool til tomorrow.

Guess I'm done for today!

Thanks for the replies and when I get this thing going, I will let ya'll know and send a beer or two your way.

[chrismoore701]

Pivot pin for the tilt? I used a dent puller. Slid a bolt through the tip of the puller. Threaded into the pivot pin. Hooked up to puller. And bam. Pulled it out

[Jeramy]

i do it with machine screws and a claw hammer but the proper tool works better and smoother. i have snapped a screw off doing it my "make it work" way.

[crazeetxn]

Got one out using an unconventional method. Didn't work on the other side and didn't want to chance it. Parts store will have a puller tomorrow. Hate having my truck down, but it's better than forcing it. Been there done that.

[crazeetxn]

Done!

Thanks for the replies and the extremely helpful link. That dude needs a 6 pack!

A lot of dang work for a little ol' part. Oh well, I can chalk this up to "just when I think I've touched every part of my truck, there's something else". We'll see how long the replacement part lasts.

It's always good to see parts for our trucks stocked at the parts store too.

[Jeramy]

glad you got it done.