O CMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bassboy1645]

The first cold day we get up here and my truck broke down!!! I went to warm it up and the ignition seemed a lil stiff like normal on a chilly day. I turned the key over and SNAP!! i can take the key in and out but the ignition just turns freely around on its own no key required. No radio, no start, no tunrover. nothing! I am absolutely dishearted and upset that my truck has failed me yet again. Its a 91 Ford f150 wiht only 64thousand miles on it!!!! WHAT GIVES??!!! thanks for the help........

[Whoaru99]

It's only 64,000 miles, but all those 1/2 mile trips equate to a quarter-million turns of the key...

Just giving you a hard time hopefully to bring a little humor to an unfortunate situation.

Wish I could help in a more serious way, but I've never had an ignition key cylinder out of the column. There must be some kind of transfer bar/rod from the lock cylinder to the actual ignition switch that broke.

[Powerstroke]

This is a very easy fix. I had the same problem with an '86 Ford this past summer. The guy there told me its not that uncommon, especially in our winters. Ignition and door locks should get some dry graphite lubricant at least in the fall to help keep them lubed up for winter. Otherwise they get stiff and moisture can settle in there and freeze up. You can go to any auto parts store and find an ignition set for your truck. I followed the directions that come with the new lock and keys.

There was a small hole that I placed a small screwdriver in. Once you're pushing on the little peg you turn the lock and the whole lock will come out. FOllow the directions in reverse you place the new lock in. Its actually very easy to fix and almost a little scary that its that easy to steal a vehicle by just replacing the lock.

[Jeremy airjer W]

unless you broke the stirrup. The ford guys will know what you are talking about. This is the piecde that connects the key and tumber to the rod that goes to the ignition switch. 91 may not have it (don't remeber what year was the cut-off) Replaced quite a few of these over the years. This would basically require a column teardown. Lets hope for the best!!

[stmichael]

I owned a 1990 F-150 that the stirrup broke, but, I was in a much better place to have it happen. I did not fix it for a few days, but, I was still able to use the truck. The "stirrup" connects to a rod a little further down the steering column, if, you take apart the steering column just under the dash you will see a control box. The stirrup pushes the rod that you see going into this box, so, if you can manually work this rod forward, (it should not be too difficult with your fingers, but, just in case have a set of pliers handy) your dummy lights should come on when you activate the starting sequence, the rod will automatically return to the "run" position (once it is running and you have let go of the rod) so you do not have to worry about the starter, to shut off do the reverse. I do not know if it the same set up on the newer models, but, at least the 1990-1991 should be almost exact. I was walked through this scenario just so I could get a around. As far as replacing the stirrup it is not too bad, but, it is going to take a while if you have not taken the steering wheel apart. The chiltons manual helps greatly and I do believe the part comes with directions, and, recommendations of what tools to use.

My truck was a manual, I do not know how much more stuff is going to be in the way if it is a automatic.

If it is the tumbler Powerstroke has the info you need.

Hope this helps.

[JEV]

Yep, sounds like the stirrup broke. I also have a 91 F-150 and I had to replace mine a couple years ago. I went online and found instructions on how to replace it. It wasn't real difficult. When I called the dealership to see if they had the part, I got the old..."oh we have plenty of them". Seems like its a common part that breaks....

JEV

[Whoaru99]

Quote:

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When I called the dealership to see if they had the part, I got the old..."oh we have plenty of them".

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Yeah, you sure know something is up when you hear that line....

[cheesehead]

Quote:

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I also have a 91 F-150 and I had to replace mine a couple years ago. Seems like its a common part that breaks....

JEV

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C'mon guys you should know they are Fords which we all have heard way to many times = Fix Or Repair Daily

[nytelyter]

thats the forwards way to say it. if you doit backwards its drof = driver returns on foot. hehehehe. ... paul