My problem seems to be a little different than others that I read about on this site. I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with the automatic shifter on the steering column and it is a tilt wheel. The symptoms are these: The ignition key turns freely to the "run" position and the interior items such as the fan, radio, gauges turn on but when I turn the key to the off position, everything stays on. I can also shift the shift lever through all the gears without first pushing down the brake pedal. The steering wheel lock is also not working. I tried replacing the key cylinder with a new one, but it still does the same thing. I cannot start the truck
Did you program the security system to accept the new key ?
It sounds like the linkage from the lock cylinder is worn out to not let the steering wheel lock. I would want to know if the lock cylinder is turning the switch without any extra movement.
Testimonial: "The key has no chip in it, so I don't believe it needed to be programmed to accept the new key. I could be wrong. You can turn the key all the way to where the gauges turn on, and then when you turn it further to start the vehicle (like 1/4"), nothing happens, and then it springs back to the "run" or "on" position. I checked the switch on the brake pedal and it is in placed and operates properly. The brake lights do work. I am not sure if the lock cylinder is turning the switch without any extra movement. How would I determine that?"
Testimonial: "The key has no chip in it, so I don't believe it needed to be programmed to accept the new key. I could be wrong. You can turn the key all the way to where the gauges turn on, and then when you turn it further to start the vehicle (like 1/4"), nothing happens, and then it springs back to the "run" or "on" position. I checked the switch on the brake pedal and it is in placed and operates properly. The brake lights do work. I am not sure if the lock cylinder is turning the switch without any extra movement. How would I determine that?"
You have more than one issue going on which may or may not be related. First, when you turn the key to the start position, you need to know if you are getting power to the starter relay or solenoid. If not, it could be a security problem, or the neutral safety switch. Then, when you turn the key to the off position, it sounds like the lock and switch is not moving into that spot. I am showing the ignition switch being mounted near the floor on a 97 model, so there is a rod that goes up the steering col and connects to the lock cylinder. That rod may be bent. If the lock cylinder was going into the off or lock position, the steering wheel should lock and the shifter should lock in park. Then you would need to push on the brake pedal to unlock the shifter.
Thank you for your advise. I thought about the neutral safety switch, can you tell me where it might be? Do you think it could be the igination solenoid? Or is that the same as the Neutral Safety switch? And I kinda thought that the steering wheel not locking was more of a mechanical problem than a electrical problem. I didn't see a rod going down the steering column, but it;s not to say I was looking in the right place either. I'll have to take a closer look. I will keep you informed! Thanks again!
According to the wiring diagram, I am showing the starter wire going from the key switch to the anti-theft relay, then to the neutral safety switch, then to the starter relay on the fender. So you would track the power to each component when the key switch is in the start position. If you don't have power coming out of the key switch on the red and lite blue wire, I would remove the switch and operate it manually to see if the problem is the switch or the rod going to the lock cylinder. The anti-theft relay is why I asked about the chip in the key.
If the ignition switch is dmaged, it could prevent the lock cylinder from moving into position to lock the steering wheel.
OK...so here's an update. I replaced the ignition switch and now you cannot put the truck into gear without depressing the brake, so that part is back to normal. The steering wheel still does not lock in the "off" position and the key still does not work as it should. When I turn the key as if to start the truck, it still does not spring back into position as before. I can see a plastic rod moving inside the column which seems to be the same rod that connects to the ignition switch. Its almost as if that rod is broken or as if a spring is broken or missing. I see the rod coming out of the back of the column, but it has no attachment to anything.
Also, I can start the truck by jumping the terminals on the starter solenoid, I guess thats normal?
Sounds like you need to get an exploded view of the column to find out what is broken between the lock and the other components.
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SOURCE: 1997 ford explorer ignition problem
Are you aware? you have the key and tumbler and another part under the dash on the steering column called the ingition switch.
They both have to be aligned in sync to operate properly.
Question? is this a tilt steering wheel,if it is and you dont know anything about it I suggest you get a professionel to do this kind of job.
You really have to know what your doing for this one.
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