Hello. I am trying to replace an ignition switch actuator(?) on a 96 Town Car with tilt wheel. The car starts and runs, but when the key is returned to the off position, the car continues to run with the key just sort of floating from the run to the off position. Lock and tumbler are fine, as is the ignition switch. Something between the lock and tumbler and the ignition switch is broken. I need to know how to get to the broken piece. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Two causes for this:
(1) steering wheel needs to be turned, then try key again.
(2) faulty ignition switch in need of replacement (including a new set of keys).
When starting a car, the ignition is locked if the wheel has been rotated, which is an anti-theft
feature: the car thinks its being stolen when the wheel is turned while there's no key in the ignition.
To fix: turn the wheel back and forth, returning it (one way or another) to the original position
when the car was turned off, and unlocking the ignition, allowing you to start your car.

Hi there,

Removal

Disconnect the negative battery cable with the proper size wrench and place away from the battery.
Insert the key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the run position.
Remove the steering column cover on a tilt steering wheel model by pressing the upper and lower section of the cover together and pulling free from the mounting plate. Remove the steering column covers on a non tilt steering wheel model by using a Philips screwdriver and unscrewing the mounting screws.
Disconnect the electrical connector from the ignition switch by lifting up on the release tab and pulling.
Press the ignition switch actuator pin by pushing a small screw driver into the key lock cylinder, while doing this pull the ignition switch out of the ignition switch housing.

Installation

Insert the new key into the new ignition switch and turn the key to the run position. Insert the new ignition switch into the ignition switch housing. Wiggle the switch back and forth until the actuator pin mounting hole is aligned and falls into place.
Install the electrical connector back into the connector housing by pressing it in with your hands.
Place the steering column covers back onto the non tilt steering wheel and insert mounting screws. Tighten screws using a Philips screwdriver. Place the steering column covers over the tilt steering wheel and press the upper and lower portion together to snap covers back into the mounting plate.
Pull on the ignition key to ensure switch is locked into place. Turn key to the "off" position and remove the key. Insert the key and start the vehicle.

Hope these help.

The actuator rod has a spring and block the returns the actuator to its normal position. Sounds like one of the three parts are broke. If this is a tilt steering column there is a two piece actuator rod. I am in the process of replacing the upper actuator rod, the pin that connects it to the lower actuator broke off. Never had any ignition problems, one day it just won't turn off due to broken actuator rod. Hope this helps you.

Disconnect the negative battery cable with the proper size wrench and place away from the battery.

Insert the key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the run position.

2 Remove the steering column cover on a tilt steering wheel model by pressing the upper and lower section of the cover together and pulling free from the mounting plate. Remove the steering column covers on a non tilt steering wheel model by using a Philips screwdriver and unscrewing the mounting screws.

3 Disconnect the electrical connector from the ignition switch by lifting up on the release tab and pulling.

Press the ignition switch actuator pin by pushing a small screw driver into the key lock cylinder, while doing this pull the ignition switch out of the ignition switch housing.

Installation

1 Insert the new key into the new ignition switch and turn the key to the run position. Insert the new ignition switch into the ignition switch housing. Wiggle the switch back and forth until the actuator pin mounting hole is aligned and falls into place.

2 Install the electrical connector back into the connector housing by pressing it in with your hands.

3 Place the steering column covers back onto the non tilt steering wheel and insert mounting screws. Tighten screws using a Philips screwdriver. Place the steering column covers over the tilt steering wheel and press the upper and lower portion together to snap covers back into the mounting plate.

4 Pull on the ignition key to ensure switch is locked into place. Turn key to the "off" position and remove the key. Insert the key and start the vehicle.

hope this helps you

try this. turn ignition on on position for 30 min or more eng NOT running come back turn key OFF. and then try to restart car ,i ran into thi when i replaced a pcm on a 96 pontiac but that trick did work after hour or piddling around tha security

is this a key switch or the electrical actuator

this is the oldest info I have. should be similar

Section 11-05: Steering Column Switches 1994 Town Car, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis. Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Ignition Switch Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove the upper steering column shroud by removing the four or five self-tapping screws. Remove tilt steering column lock lever (if so equipped).

1. Remove lower steering column shroud.

1. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.

1. Rotate ignition switch lock cylinder to the RUN position.

1. Remove the two screws retaining ignition switch.

1. Disengage the ignition switch from the actuator.

Installation
NOTE: A new replacement ignition switch assembly will be set in the RUN position as received.

1. Adjust the ignition switch by sliding the carrier to the ignition switch RUN position.

1. Check to ensure that the ignition switch lock cylinder is in the RUN position. The RUN position is achieved by rotating the ignition switch lock cylinder approximately 90 degrees from the LOCK position.

1. Install the ignition switch into the actuator. It may be necessary to move the ignition switch slightly back and forth to align the ignition switch mounting holes with the lock cylinder housing threaded holes.

1. Install retaining screws. Tighten to 5.6-7.9 Nm (50-69 lb-in).

1. Connect electrical connector to ignition switch.

1. Connect battery ground cable. Check ignition switch for proper function, including START and ACC positions. Also, make certain that the column is in the LOCK position.

1. Install upper steering column shroud.

1. Install the lower steering column shroud and tilt steering column lock lever (if so equipped).

Not an exact solution, but perhaps information that might lead to one.

1.Replaced the tumblers? I believe I would replace the entire ignition switch this time. It's my belief that the body of the ignition switch is worn inside, and will keep damaging the tumblers.

2.Do you have a tilt steering wheel? It's best to keep the steering column in straight line when starting the car, then tilt the wheel to where you want, after the car is started. When the steering column is in a tilted position, it puts undue strain on the ignition key switch, and the mechanism the ignition key switch operates, on GM vehicles.

This mechanism, consists of a half moon gear on the ignition key switch, that turns inside a 'Planetary' gear. I used the term 'Planetary', as the gear shape is hard to describe. It resembles an oblong loop, shaped like the number 9, with gear teeth on the inside bottom of the loop. This 'Loop' rotates, when the gear teeth of the ignition key switch, engage the teeth on the loop, and pushes a rod, or retracts the rod. The rod goes down the side of your steering column, and turns on, or turns off an ignition switch, located at the bottom left side of the steering column.

Having the steering wheel tilted, puts a strain on the ignition key switch internals, the oblong loop can break, and/or gear teeth can be stripped off.

Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove the steering column shroud by removing the four or five self-tapping screws. Remove tilt lever (if so equipped).

1. Remove instrument panel lower steering column cover.

1. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.

1. Rotate ignition key lock cylinder to the RUN position.

1. Remove the two screws retaining ignition switch.

1. Disengage the ignition switch from the actuator.

Installation

1. Adjust the ignition switch by sliding the carrier to the switch RUN position. NOTE: A new replacement switch assembly will be set in the RUN position as received.
   

1. Check to ensure that the ignition key lock cylinder is in the RUN position. The RUN position is achieved by rotating the key lock cylinder approximately 90 degrees from the LOCK position.

1. Install the ignition switch into the actuator. It may be necessary to move the switch slightly back and forth to align the switch mounting holes with the column lock housing threaded holes.

1. Install retaining screws. Tighten to 5.6-7.9 Nm (50-69 lb-in).

1. Connect electrical connector to ignition switch.

1. Connect battery ground cable. Check ignition switch for proper function, including START and ACC positions. Also, make certain that the column is locked in the LOCK position.

1. Install instrument panel lower steering column cover.

1. Install the steering column trim shrouds and tilt lever (if so equipped).

try unhooking battery cable. hook back up and use key remote to unlock car and try to start if no remote use key to unlock