Turning key forward to start ,has some resistance. can you adjust actuator rod or just replace ignition switch? releasing key still powers radio,etc.

Park neutral safety switch could be bad , also the shift interlock safety system .
Shift Interlock System A brake/shifter interlock system consists of the following:

• ignition switch (11572)
• brake pedal stoplight switch (13480)
• brake shift interlock module
• brake shift interlock solenoid assembly (attached to key interlock assembly)
• necessary wiring

On floor-shift vehicles, the ignition/shifter interlock cable (3F719):

• locks the floor shift transaxle range selector lever in the PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
• requires the floor shift transaxle range selector lever to be in the PARK position to turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.

Condition Possible Source Action

• Shift Interlock System Does Not Release or Lock Properly

• Circuitry open/shorted.
• Blown fuse.
• Damaged stoplight switch.
• Damaged shift lock actuator.

• GO to Pinpoint Test A .

PINPOINT TEST A: SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT RELEASE OR LOCK PROPERLY A1 CHECK ELECTRON IGN FUSE

• Check Fuse 5 (5A) located in fuse junction panel.

Is fuse OK?
Yes No GO to A3 . GO to A2 . A2 CHECK FOR SHORT TO GROUND

• Turn ignition switch OFF.
• Remove Fuse 5 (5A).
• Disconnect shift-lock actuator connector C203 located to the right of steering column.
• Measure resistance of the Circuit 1003 (GY/Y) between the correct terminal of Fuse 5 (5A) and ground.

Is resistance greater than 10,000 ohms?
Yes No REPLACE Fuse 5 (5A). GO to A3 . SERVICE Circuit 1003 (GY/Y) wire between fuse junction panel and shift-lock actuator. A3 CHECK POWER SUPPLY FROM FUSE 5 (5A)

• Reinstall Fuse 5 (5A).
• Turn ignition switch to RUN.
• Measure voltage on Circuit 1003 (GY/Y) wire and ground.

Is voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes No GO to A4 . SERVICE Circuit 1003 (GY/Y) wire between interior fuse panel and shift-lock actuator. A4 CHECK POWER SUPPLY FROM FUSE 28 (15A)

• Turn ignition switch OFF.
• Disconnect connector C2016.
• Turn ignition switch ON.
• Measure voltage on Circuit 10 (LG/R) and ground.

Is voltage B+?
Yes No GO to A5 . SERVICE Circuit 10 (LG/R) for open. RESTORE vehicle and RETEST system. A5 CHECK WIRE BETWEEN STOPLIGHT SWITCH AND SHIFT-LOCK ACTUATOR

• Turn ignition switch OFF.
• Disconnect shift-lock actuator connector C203.
• Apply brake pedal.
• Measure voltage on Circuit 810 (R/LG) wire and ground.

Is voltage greater than 10 volts with brake pedal applied and less than 1 volt with brake pedal released?
Yes No GO to A6 . SERVICE Circuit 810 (R/LG) wire between stoplight switch and shift-lock actuator. A6 CHECK SHIFT-LOCK ACTUATOR GROUND

• Measure resistance of Circuit 57 (BK) and ground.

Is resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes No REPLACE shift-lock actuator. SERVICE BK wire.

That means the linkage rod fell off your key cylinder. (this happens whenever someone tries to steal your car) the push rod presses your ignition switch. If you know how to pull your steering wheel off, you can replace the key cylinder (if some of the casting is broken) by going to a junkyard. Get a cylinder with a key (you can make copies of the new key later) If the key cylinder was ok then just reattach the rod and put the steering wheel back on (being careful to keep the wheels facing forward before you remove the steering wheel so that you put it back the same way)

The lock is not properly engaging the washer that moves the switch actuating rod. Remove the cylinder and reinstall, ensuring the rod moves the switch as the lock is turned.



To install:

1. Verify the ignition switch is in the on position and the actuator rod is properly installed in the switch.
2. Rotate the cylinder clockwise to align cylinder key with the keyway in the housing.
3. Push the lock all the way in.
4. Install the screw.
5. Tighten the screw to 14 inch lbs. (1.5 Nm) for adjustable columns and 25 inch lbs. (2.8 Nm) for standard columns.
6. Re-center the SIR coil assembly.
7. Install the turn signal switch and steering wheel
8. .Connect the negative battery cable, enable the SIR system.

The switch that the ignition actuator rod pushes on can be adjusted upward. Make sure the steering column itself isn't damaged though you can damage the switch if the column is worn out and you adjust it upward

Yea, you'll still need your key to unlock the steering wheel. Just get a properly rated DPDT (double pole double throw) switch that is "on-off-on" from radio shack or somewhere similar, as we'll as a momentary switch/push button to actuate the solenoid. Make one position on the DPDT your accessory position and the other your run position. Make sure it's in the run position when you go to start it. Again, you will need the key to unlock the column and possibly your shifter. Look up diagrams to figure out which wires you will need to have on the switch. It'll take a little engineering on your part, but if you know your wires, you can do it. Best of luck!

The actuator rod has a spring and block the returns the actuator to its normal position. Sounds like one of the three parts are broke. If this is a tilt steering column there is a two piece actuator rod. I am in the process of replacing the upper actuator rod, the pin that connects it to the lower actuator broke off. Never had any ignition problems, one day it just won't turn off due to broken actuator rod. Hope this helps you.

Turn ignition key/lock cylinder to the ON position. Insert a thin screwdriver into the slot adjacent to the switch attaching screw boss (right-hand slot). Depress the spring latch located at the bottom of the slot to release the key/lock cylinder. Remove the cylinder.
to remove key-lock cylinder switch Ignition Switch

Removal & Installation

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering column shroud and lower the steering column.
3. Detach the ignition switch electrical hardness connector.
4. Remove 2 nuts retaining the ignition switch to the steering column housing.
5. Lift the ignition switch upward to disengage the actuator rod from the switch and remove the switch.


To install:

> When installing the ignition switch, both the locking mechanism at the top of the column and the switch itself must be in the LOCK position for correct adjustment. To hold the mechanical parts of the column in the LOCK position, move the shift lever into PARK (with automatic transmissions) or REVERSE (with manual transmissions), turn the key to the LOCK position, and remove the key. New replacement switches, when received, are pinned in the LOCK position by a metal shipping pin inserted in a locking hole on the side of the switch.


6. Engage the actuator rod in the ignition switch.
7. Place the ignition switch on the steering column housing and loosely install 2 retaining nuts.
8. Move the switch up or down along the column to locate the mid-position of the actuator rod lash, then tighten the retaining nuts to 47-64 inch. Lbs. (5-7 Nm).
9. Raise the steering column into position at instrument panel. Install steering column shroud.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.
11. Remove the locking pin, connect the battery cable, and verified that the engine will only crank in PARK and NEUTRAL. Also check to make certain the start circuit cannot be actuated in the DRIVE and REVERSE positions.
to get more help on this issue with more details. then please click on this link directly
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5880956_change-ignition-lock-cylinder.html
thanks.this will help.

There is usually 2 bolts holding that ignition switch on the column, and the bracket for the switch has slotted hole to slide up and down for adjustment. When turning your ignition to start, from just on position, you should feel or see, that rod move downward slightly into that switch lower down on column, and then engine should turn over to start. When you release the key, after started, the rod should retract slightly, as the switch at other end, is spring loaded. If rod not moving downward on start, and pushing into switch below by itself, then there is a problem in the key switch mechanism. If rod goes down when key is turned, but doesn't come back up when released, there is a problem with the switch down lower on the column. You can loosen those 2 bolts and try sliding it upward toward rod, to see if maybe just out of adjustment. I hope that helps, if I misunderstood what you were describing, please let me know.

The lock the ignition key fits in is not the actual start switch. The actual switch is located on the steering column under the dash and is actuated by a metal rod that is pushed when you turn the key. as you turn the key see if you can feel anything moving on the steering column under the dash and then follow it to the switch and see if it is actually activating the start switch.

I have an '86, and the ignition switch is on the steering column, right under the column shroud. That's what the actuator rod connects to, it activates the ignition switch when you turn the key. So if yours is anything like mine, there's just two screws holding the shroud on, so you should be able to remove the shroud and manually manipulate the ignition switch since the actuator rod isn't connected to it anymore. That way you can hopefully start it as well as turn it off.