Starting Issues I have a problem with the truck not engaging the starter, ignition switch, and the actuator in the column are both good, all the positions work correctly, just will not engage the starter, pulled the ignition switch off of the column and tried to start it by sliding the ign switch manually, still no results. switch was grounded when I tried it manually. out of ideas, please help! Truck is 1988 F250 4wd with the 7.5L 460 engine

Question edited for clarity and fix funky punctuation and lack of spaces.
Question moved to model category.

My first thought was that the timing belt had snapped, but you have a timing chain and it says this

Does a Ford Windstar have a timing belt or chain?
Best Answer. Your Ford Windstar had two engine options and they both ran a timing chain, not a timing belt. Belts need to be replaced at around 100K miles, but since you have a hardened steel timing chain, you have nothing to worry about. Your chain should last the life of the engine without being serviced.
May 28, 2019

Has the oil ever been changed. You saying there was a 'pop' concerns me but it may have been a backfire, or unburned fuel popping through the Throttle Body.

And then there is the grinding sound, but that might just be the starter on the flywheel.

The only way to diagnose is to call out a mobile mechanic.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mobile+mechanic+near+me

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It sounds like you need to replace the (electric)ignition switch. When they go bad you will usually hear a crunch sound, they can be so bad as to overheat and cause other issues.

There's probably nothing wrong with the OEM key/barrel.

Sounds like the ignition switch is broken. It is further down the steering column on the bottom side. The key switch pushes a piece of plastic to pull or push on the switch. Sometimes it is the this piece that brakes.

Easiest fix it it is the plastic actuator rod is to buy a used steering column and replace everything. You will have to get it re keyed to match you original set. Or if you already got your new key switch re keyed use that.

These pics are from a 1997 column but they are very similar to the 1995.

You don't say whether the starter is continuously cranking the engine or just spinning continuously or whether after starting the engine the starter switches off but remains engaged? Lack of detail makes it difficult to give anything but a general answer.

Certainly the starter should be removed and checked for damage and correct operation. The pinion might be tight on the helix, the solenoid could be tight, the return spring broken or the arm pivot seized. If the starter has been engaged while the engine has run at speed or for more than a few minutes the overrun clutch should be replaced.

In any case where the starter has remained engaged the ignition/starter switch and the drive mechanism in the steering column lock should be inspected for correct operation.

Hello Michael,

Typically PCM's are rather robust components that are not as prone to failure as sensors are. Some automotive electronic components can fail under heat stress and work fine after they have cooled down...like an ignition control module.

As you are experiencing your problem while engaging the ignition switch (which you described as sometimes hanging up) I would start your trouble shooting with the ignition switch itself.

• Ignition starter switch directs current from the fuse panel to other systems in the vehicle
• When not replaced, vehicle may experience no-start, intermittent shut down and/or current will not flow to all systems.

Your vehicle also has steering column lock actuator you will have to deal with when removing the ignition switch for replacement which is rated as "easy"

Search Results for 2005 Pontiac Gand Am ignition switch

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.

there is a pin in the rod that normally breaks, if you unbolt the ignition switch from the bottom of the column you will be able manually move the switch,

Have you chk. the starter switch on the steering colume under dash? Or is starter drive kicking in but not engaging teeth in flexplate? If its not engaging teeth on flexplate starter needs to be shimmed, or if its missing the teeth altogether on flexplate or bearly catching the teeth, top of starter nose wear it bolts up needs to be filed down to engage the teeth on flexplate.

ASE mechanic.
A couple of different scenerios. first could be the ignition switch not suppling voltage to the starter. You might have good battery voltage at the starter,but not the trigger voltage from the ignition. thats the small wire on the starter. OR if i cranks a couple of times and then starts it might be a crank sensor for those engines are known for that sensor problem. keep me posted

Check to make sure that when you turn on ignition switch the solenoid is receiving power to engage the pinion gear and feed power to the starter motor. It is new so I suspect it is not receiving juice. U may have some bad connection causing the intermittent issue. PIA.