QuestionDear Dennis, I would like to proceed. I have a Haynes manual that illustrates how to remove the
steering wheel is this is necessary? It doesn't detail anything about getting to the "linkage"
between the lock cylinder and the starter ignition switch. Any thoughts you have on this are
appreciated. Thanks, Vince -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a '95 grand marquis. I have had not sypmptoms of a
problem and went to turn it off this morning and it would not
shut the engine off. It will start the car fine, just wont turn it off.
I put in a new lock cylinder and no change. I examined the
ignition starter switch and the pin on top of it moves exactly like
the one at the parts store. I noticed the square plastic rod that
pushes the ignition starter switch module forward to engage he
starter does just that, but when turning the key to the "off"
postion it will not move back from the run postion mark I see on
the casting on the underside of the steering column. I believe
the platic rod may have broke because the lock cylinder ( the old
or the new one ) turns backward without any resistance such as
one would feel when turning the car off. I can see the square
plastic rod move back and forth on part of the steering column
near the lock cylinder switch, but it isn't moving further down
where the pin above the starter ignition switch fits up into it. I
put a small screwdrive there to act at the pin would and feel it
and it only will push it forward, i.e. as if starting the car, but will
not move backward behind (towards the steering wheel) the
"run" postion mark as it seems it would need to to retract the
pin to turn the engine off. Basically it seems as if the lock
cylinder and the starter ignition switch are working fine, they
just aren't connecting when turning the key off. How do I get to
this plastic rod/assembly to remove it to see if it is broken?
Answer -
That is a fairly major operation, Vincent. It requires removing the steering column because you
pretty much have to disassemble the column to get to the rod that is broken. The part is not
expensive, but the labor may be depending on who does it. If you are mechanically inclined you
may be able to do it. It is not a physically demanding job, but lots of parts to take off and get
back together. Plus you have to "time" the cylinder to the switch correctly for it to work. I have
heard of techs doing this in the car, but I always found it easier to do it outside on the bench.
I like these kinds of jobs. Many techs would rather have a tooth pulled. If you want to proceed I'll
see if I can get the instructions for you to take the column apart.
AnswerVince, yes you need to remove the steering wheel. As I mentioned you pretty much have to diassemble the entire column. I deleted a couple of steps that you won't need for what you have to replace. If after reading these steps you are still wanting to tackle this, good luck. Be very careful with the airbag, lay it somewhere safe face-up, and disconncect the battery BEFORE ever beginning this job. The charge in an airbag is very similar to a shotgun blast, so you dont want it going off at the wrong time.
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
Steering Column
Disassembly
Disconnect battery ground cable and air bag backup power supply.
Remove steering wheel assembly as outlined.
Remove steering column from vehicle as outlined.
Remove steering column lower yoke, steering column upper bearing spring, suspension height sensor control ring and steering column upper bearing tolerance ring.
Steering Column
Remove turn indicator cancel cam by pushing up with flat-bladed screwdriver. Note direction of flush surface.
Remove ignition switch assembly.
Remove steering column upper bearing retainer and steering column upper bearing spring .
Remove steel steering column tube bearing sleeve and steering column upper bearing tolerance ring .
Remove gearshift lever.
Remove shift lock actuator solenoid.
Remove shift cable and bracket.
Using a drift, tap steering column lock actuator lever pin loose. Remove with diagonal pliers.
Remove plastic steering column upper bearing retainer from ignition switch lock cylinder bore.
Remove metal steering column lock housing bearing from ignition switch lock cylinder bore.
Remove steering column lock gear.
Remove two tilt pivot bolts. Use caution as steering column position spring will release when bolts are removed. Remove steering column tube flange.
Remove steering gear input worm gear and rack from steering column.
Remove steering column lock lever actuator.
Assembly
Install steering gear input worm gear and rack into steering actuator housing.
Install suspension height sensor control ring , bushing, steering column upper bearing spring and steering column lower yoke to steering gear input worm gear and rack . Tighten pinch bolt to 25-35 Nm (18-26 lb-ft).
Position steering column lock lever actuator , in steering actuator housing . Spray upper steering column lock lever actuator and lower steering column lock lever actuator with Multi-Purpose Grease D7AZ-19584-AA or D0AZ-19584-AA (ESR-M1C159-A, ESB-M1C93-A) or equivalent.
Position steering column lock cam (3E695) in steering column tube flange and install steering column lock actuator lever pin with small hammer. Tap pin in until flush with steering column tube flange .
Install one steering column locking lever spring and steering column locking lever (RH) into steering actuator housing using a drift to hold in place.
Install the other steering column locking lever spring and steering column lock left hand lever with steering column lock actuator lever pin . Tap steering column lock actuator lever pin into place while driving out drift.
Support steering actuator housing in a vise and drive steering column lock actuator lever pin flush with steering actuator housing .
Place two nuts or spacers to hold steering column lock left hand lever and steering column locking lever (RH) away from steering actuator housing .
Position steering column position spring on lock cylinder housing. With assistant, install lock cylinder housing and pivot bolts. Tighten to 20-28 Nm (14-20 lb-ft).
Install steel steering column upper bearing tolerance ring and steering column tube bearing sleeve over steering column.
Install steering column upper bearing spring and new steering column upper bearing retainer on top side of steering column upper bearing spring using a 3/4-inch by 2-1/4 inch PVC pipe.
Install turn indicator cancel cam , flush surface "up".
Install ignition switch . Align pin from ignition switch with slot in lock/column assembly. Position slot in lock/column assembly with index mark on casting. Tighten two retaining screws to 7-11 Nm (5-8 lb-ft).
Steering Column
Install steering column lock gear . Coat steering column lock gear with Multi-Purpose Grease D0AZ-19584-AA or D7AZ-19584-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specifications ESB-M1C93-A and ESB-M1C106-B .
Install metal steering column lock housing bearing . Lubricate with Multi-Purpose Grease D0AZ-19584-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specifications ESB-M1C93-A and ESB-M1C106-B .
Install plastic steering column upper bearing retainer .
Install shift control tube assembly. Coat bushings with Multi-Purpose Grease D0AZ-19584-AA or D7AZ-19584-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specifications ESB-M1C93-A and ESB-M1C106-B . Tighten screws to 7-11 Nm (5-8 lb-ft).
Install shift control selector bracket.
Install shift lock actuator solenoid.
Install shift cable bracket on lower column bearing assembly with two bolts.
Install steering column in vehicle as outlined.
Install air bag sliding contact assembly as outlined.
Install steering wheel as outlined.
Install driver side air bag module. Connect battery ground cable .
Verify air bag warning indicator.
