Starting Issues

[Saint351]

My 85 bronco has a problem were the trunk wont start from the key. I have to pop the hood and jump the battery from the positive post to a little ****** on my starter selenoid. I put a neutral saftery swith on the truck and it worked for about 3 weeks and then it started all over again. Now another problem that I heard of could be the column rod? I have never seen this rod and dont know what its function is except that if it isnt touching in a certain location that your truck wont start.

Saint 351

 

[Shadow_D]

Welcome the the Bronco Zone!

That is exactly right. There is a switch attached to the steering column that is controlled by the rod. If you look under your dash you should see 2 connectors, one goes to the switch in question and the other goes to the directional lights.

You might be able to get one from Ford or your local auto parts store.

It should be easy to change, 2 screws, unplug the harness and undo the rod.

Good luck

 

[skipy042]

I had the same problem with my 89 Bronco just last weekend. I replaced the ignition switch mounted under the dash on the steering column and the rod you mentioned, but it turned out to be neither of those parts. The problem came from my lock/key cylinder. There is a gear mechanism inside the steering column that actuates the rod when you turn the key and once the cylinder starts to wear it doesn't fully actuate the rod into your ignition switch on the column. The lock cylinder is an easy replacement. Just disconnect your battery, turn your ignition key to the run position(not start!), and push the little tab under your key cylinder in with a small punch. You might have to wiggle the lock cylinder a little put it should pull right out. To get the new one back in just turn the cylinder to the run position, push the tab in and slide the new cylinder into the column. There is about 3/4" of play in the ignition switch mounted on the steering column when you loosen the nuts that attach it to the column and you may have to adjust it a little to get your new cylinder to work properly in all the positions(off, acc, run, and start). I strongly recommend changing out the ignition switch mounted under the dash on the column if you've been having this problem because I noticed that mine had been arcing out since it wasn't making a full connection when I turned the key. The lock cylinder was $30 at a local ford dealer and the ignition switch ran me about $26 at Auto Zone. Good luck buddy.