Recently my ignition switch has been locking up and not allowing me to turn the car over.

It takes a few tries and then finally it will work.

What's up?

Rich , replace it and be done with it.

i agree with pepp rich just replace it

how do you pull the switch out of a second gen. i've been trying to get mine out but i can't find the button that releases the tumbler

Rich, I've notice that on a lot of 1st gen's (fords in general) that sometimes the outer metal piece isn't aligned properly. Its hard to explain but if the outer metal piece of the lock isn't perfectly straight with the inside keylock mechanism you can't stick the key in all the way. The key has to sit flush against the metal in order to turn the car over. I have the same problem with my mark VIII and had the same problem on my grand marquis.

sorry dave, My buddy brought this thread back from the dead. You just answered a 4month old question. :p



Anyone know how to pull the gen2 ignition switch? We have the shift interlock cable down and out of it, and all of the bolts are loose. But we can't seem to get the lock to seperate from the switch to facilitate removal. It says there is a pin, but I can't seem to find it.



Mike

sorry dave, My buddy brought this thread back from the dead. You just answered a 4month old question. :p


I didn't even look! It was a late night, wasn't paying attention.

Rich, I've notice that on a lot of 1st gen's (fords in general) that sometimes the outer metal piece isn't aligned properly. Its hard to explain but if the outer metal piece of the lock isn't perfectly straight with the inside keylock mechanism you can't stick the key in all the way. The key has to sit flush against the metal in order to turn the car over. I have the same problem with my mark VIII and had the same problem on my grand marquis.


i also have this problem on my gen 1, and i had it on my crown vic as well. In fact, in the Vic you frequently didn't need the key to start the car, and the Mark, I can remove the key while it's running. My mark sometimes locks as well, it has to do with how the steering wheel falls when you lock the column - at least, on my car.