Engine dies, won't run unless key turned off

[Inbred Redneck]

It's an '87 STX, 2.9 5sp. Used to run into the problem maybe once a year but now it can happen twice in a day. Been pretty warm lately but sometimes this happens at regular operating temp on just the 6 mile drive home from work.
If I don't turn key switch off, then back on, the engine cranks fine but won't catch. Cycle key off and try again immediately and she fires right up. At road speeds I just cycle the ignition switch and the engine catches as long as the truck's still in gear.
I've always replaced the module on the distributor with original Ford part, but when those fail it always seems to be a go/no-go proposition.
Any ideas?

 

[Dirtman]

Sounds to me like you need a new ignition switch?

 

[franklin2]

I 2nd the ignition switch. I had a 86 where the fuel gauge would work and then wouldn't. Found out if I wiggled the ignition switch it would start working again. But you had to be careful, turn it just a little too far and the engine would quit, even though the key was still basically in the on position. A new switch fixed it. My 84 Bronco switch is also a little iffy. I guess they finally wear out after years of use.

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Thanks, folks, for the quick replies. Anything too esoteric about the old Ranger switch? Available through Rock Auto and others? Haven't looked closely but I'm guessin' that the key part can be swapped out by just usin' a pin to extract it and put it into the new unit, or is that just wishful thinkin'?

 

[sheep herder]

You don't need to replace the key cylinder, you need to replace the ignition switch. They are not the same thing.

 

[Dirtman]

Eh.... technically they both can be a problem. Worn lock cylinder can slip and move the ignition switch or the ignition switch contacts can just be bad...

But sheepis right id replace the ignition switch first (10 dollar part). Then try the actual cylinder. Both are cheap and simple to replace. No special tools or skills required. Once you do it you'll see how scary sad it is to steal an old ranger and probably go buy an alarm.

 

[franklin2]

If I remember correctly, the ignition switch is up high in the column and not hard to replace. The ignition switch on the larger trucks is mounted on top of the column behind the dash and you have to drop the column down to gain access. Like the previous poster mentioned, you have the mechanical part with the key, and then it has some linkage that operates the electrical part which is mounted somewhere else in or on the column. The electrical part is what you need to replace.

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Again, thanks. I was referrin' to the separate parts and how easy one or the other might be to replace. To get at 'em I should just have to pull apart the halves of the housing on the steering column. I was hopin' that somebody would say this is a known problem that's cured by facin' North, turnin' anti-clockwise twice while crossing my eyes and sayin' "Praise be to Henry Ford" in pig Latin.
My ol' '65 F100 had the switch in the lower left part of the dash and one could reach up behind, pull the connections and push in and give a quarter turn on the housing to remove the whole thing.

 

[HAWGFORD]

I know the 65 key/ ignition switch and they are a bitch to replace, and you break one of the ears off the bezel ya scruud.....Check you tube for the correct way to replace the key switch ,think 1 A auto[ ebay seller] has alot of vids and do the ignition switch too, neither are expensive

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Well, bein' on a dial up connection that might max out at 28.8K there ain't much chance of downloadin' any videos so I'll just have to wing it.
Thanks, all.

 

[Dirtman]

Well, bein' on a dial up connection that might max out at 28.8K there ain't much chance of downloadin' any videos so I'll just have to wing it.
Thanks, all.

Wait... are you a time traveler?! Are you posting these messages from 1995!?!?!

 

[fastpakr]

Pretty soon he can jump on the V.90 bandwagon!

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Ignition switch is kind of a PITA, key switch is easy peazy....I'd change both, done it before on a few Fords.

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Wait... are you a time traveler?! Are you posting these messages from 1995!?!?!

Nah, just an old guy who gets by without too much tech. I'd have to cut down a couple of acres of huge trees to even get a shot at a satellite, DigitalPath and the like tell me that goin' by my address they can help, then when they get the gps co-ordinates for the actual house they say they're sorry but it can't happen. Best I can get by cell is one or two bars and that's if I stand in just the right place.
Then again, I'm rentin' an old 2BDRM place for three-fifty a month on thirteen acres, the driveway's about a third of a mile from the pavement and I can walk about fifty yards from the house to a nice gully where I can shoot all day with no problems from the neighbors. Actually, I can fire the .22, .223/5.56, .380, 12 and 20 gauges but there ain't really enough room to let loose with the Remington 742 in .30-06, but I ain't gonna complain about not firin' the heavy artillery.