My steering column is locked in the down position any suggestions?

Sounds like the locking pin is broken.

Ignition Switch REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1982–91 Vehicles The switch is located on the steering column and is completely inaccessible without first lowering the steering column. The switch is actuated by a rod and rack assembly. A gear on the end of the lock cylinder engages the toothed upper end of the rod.

1. Lower the steering column; be sure to properly support it.
2. Put the switch in the OFF-UNLOCKED position. With the cylinder removed, the rod is in OFF-UNLOCKED position when it is in the next to the uppermost detent.
3. Unfasten the two switch screws and remove the switch assembly. Fig. 1: Removal and installation of the ignition switch and related steering column components — 1990 vehicle shown
   Fig. 2: Exploded view of a steering column including the ignition switch — 1990 vehicle with standard column shown
   Fig. 3: Exploded view of the steering column including the ignition switch — 1990 vehicle with tilt column shown
   To install:
   
4. Before installing, move the new switch slider (standard columns with automatic transaxle) to the extreme left position. Move the switch slider (standard columns with manual transaxle) to the extreme left position. Move the slider (adjustable columns with automatic transaxle) to the extreme right position and then move the slider one detent to the left (off lock). Move the slider (adjustable columns with manual transaxle) to the extreme right position.
5. Install the activating rod into the switch and assemble the switch on the column. Tighten the mounting screws. Use only the specified screws, since overlength screws could impair the collapsibility of the column.
6. Reinstall the steering column.

Removal & Installation CAUTION Read the air bag service precautions in Section 6 prior to doing work involving an air bag equipped steering column component. Always wear safety glasses when servicing an air bag vehicle and handling the air bag to avoid possible injury.

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
   
2. Remove the steering column shroud and lower the steering column.
   
3. Disconnect the switch wiring at the multiple plug.
   
4. Remove the two nuts that retain the switch to the steering column.
   
5. Lift the switch vertically upward to disengage the actuator rod from the switch and remove the switch.
   
6. 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 already pinned in the LOCK position by a metal shipping pin inserted in a locking hole on the side of the switch.
   
7. Engage the actuator rod in the switch.
   
8. Position the switch on the column and install the retaining nuts, but do not tighten them.
   
9. Move the switch up and down along the column to locate the mid-position of rod lash, and then tighten the retaining nuts.
   
10. Remove the locking pin, connect the battery cable, and check for proper start in PARK or NEUTRAL.-Also check to make certain that the start circuit cannot be actuated in the DRIVE and REVERSE position.
    
11. Raise the steering column into position at instrument panel. Install steering column shroud.
    

the actuator inside the sterring column that the lock cylinder turns is boken, this is a very complex job and is not for the home tech without a factory service manual.

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.

Removal & Installation


Blade-type connector ignition switch on steering column, 1980 and later models

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
   
2. Remove steering column shroud and lower the steering column.
   
3. Disconnect the switch wiring at the multiple plug.
   
4. Remove the two nuts that retain the switch to the steering column.
   
5. Lift the switch vertically upward to disengage the actuator rod from the switch and remove switch.
   
6. When installing the ignition switch, both the locking mechanism at the top of the column and the switch itself must be in LOCK position for correct adjustment.
   

To hold the mechanical parts of the column in LOCK position, move the shift lever into PARK (with automatic transmissions) or REVERSE (with manual transmissions), turn the key to LOCK position, and remove the key. New replacement switches, when received, are already pinned in LOCK position by a metal shipping pin inserted in a locking hole on the side of the switch.

1. Engage the actuator rod in the switch.
   
2. Position the switch on the column and install the retaining nuts, but do not tighten them.
   
3. Move the switch up and down along the column to locate the mid-position of rod lash, and then tighten the retaining nuts.
   
4. Remove the locking pin, connect the battery cable, and check for proper start in PARK or NEUTRAL.
   

Also check to make certain that the start circuit cannot be actuated in the DRIVE and REVERSE position.

1. Raise the steering column into position at instrument panel. Install steering column shroud.
   

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering column shroud and lower the steering column.
3. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical harness connector.
4. Remove the 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 already pinned in the LOCK position by a metal shipping pin inserted in a locking hole on the side of the switch.

1. Engage the actuator rod in the ignition switch.
2. Place the ignition switch on the steering column housing and loosely install the 2 retaining nuts.
3. 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).
4. Raise the steering column into position at instrument panel. Install steering column shroud.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.
6. Remove the locking pin, connect the negative battery cable, and verify that the engine will only crank in PARK and NEUTRAL . Also check to make certain that the start circuit cannot be actuated in the DRIVE and REVERSE positions.

this is the oldest info I have. should be similar

Section 11-05: Steering Column Switches 1994 Town Car, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis. Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Ignition Switch Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove the upper steering column shroud by removing the four or five self-tapping screws. Remove tilt steering column lock lever (if so equipped).

1. Remove lower steering column shroud.

1. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.

1. Rotate ignition switch lock cylinder to the RUN position.

1. Remove the two screws retaining ignition switch.

1. Disengage the ignition switch from the actuator.

Installation
NOTE: A new replacement ignition switch assembly will be set in the RUN position as received.

1. Adjust the ignition switch by sliding the carrier to the ignition switch RUN position.

1. Check to ensure that the ignition switch lock cylinder is in the RUN position. The RUN position is achieved by rotating the ignition switch lock cylinder approximately 90 degrees from the LOCK position.

1. Install the ignition switch into the actuator. It may be necessary to move the ignition switch slightly back and forth to align the ignition switch mounting holes with the lock cylinder housing threaded holes.

1. Install retaining screws. Tighten to 5.6-7.9 Nm (50-69 lb-in).

1. Connect electrical connector to ignition switch.

1. Connect battery ground cable. Check ignition switch for proper function, including START and ACC positions. Also, make certain that the column is in the LOCK position.

1. Install upper steering column shroud.

1. Install the lower steering column shroud and tilt steering column lock lever (if so equipped).

Being a locksmith for ten years, I have been aquainted with a number of occasions where the steering wheel gets locked up.
Always start with the least expensive option.
Question:

I'm sure this sounds silly but, have you tried turning the wheel hard right and hard left? You wouldn't believe how many times people have their tires turned to the right or left, which binds the ignition switch to the point that you can't turn the key to start the vehicle.

If the steering is in a rotational bind it can also bind the "U" joint in the steering column.

Check to make sure that you can actually operate the key cylinder and start the vehicle.

If you can operate the key cylinder of the ignition and start the vehicle, try rotating the steering wheel with the engine running, and see if that will unlock your "U"joint adjuster.

If you do all of the above and it's still unable to be adjusted, you will have to have a locksmith replace the universal joint rod in the steering column.

The main reason for these joints to fail is due to people driving with the column in an attitude of either up from the straight position, or down from the straight position.

The column is "designed" to operate from any position, BUT it causes the joint to fail due to prolonged use in an either up or down position while driving. The adjustable wheel is great for getting into and out of the vehicle, but it should always be driven in a totally straight position with NO upward or downward slant to the steering column.

I hope this will solve your problem economically.

Eshel