Disable Steering wheel Lock

[Joey Loreto]

I wanna do a keyless push button start but this is delaying my project... I know its possible, anyone care to explain?

 

[Flip4ford]

I guess I am not sure why the steering wheel lock is causing you problems? INstalling a remote start shouldn't have much to do with the steering wheel lock in a first gen.

 

[Joey Loreto]

yeah i know, but the problem is that the hole idea is that i dont need to insert the key to be able to drive the car, i already have a push button to the starter and two relay switches to the ingnition and accesories cable, and i can run the car just fine without the key, but as soon as i hit a turn the steering will lock cause there is no key

 

[LBarr2002]

I got your PM, but I'll just answer here in case anybody else is interested. Its been a long time since I did this and I don't have the truck any more so I can't check, but here's what I remember.

After you take the plastic trim off the steering column there is a small hole in the bottom below the key lock. You can run a piece of wire coat hanger up in the hole, turn the key to run, and the lock cylinder should come out. There's a round gear in the bottom of the cylinder hole that rides on a rack type gear, that actually does the start, stop, run, etc. functions. You can take that gear out and turn it one tooth (I don't remember if its forward or back, probably forward but you'll just have to look at it and figure it out) then put it back in place. Reinstall the lock cylinder (you need to have your battery unhooked because the position of the key that will let the cylinder go back in is now START instead of RUN).

Thoroughly test!!! The switch should be able to be at a position where no accessories are powered, but the steering is still unlocked. If you turn the key back one click (what used to be accessory) you will have steering wheel lock and can remove your key for security. I think you loose the accessory position. All of the other positions should still work with the key, they're just moved forward one click. My switch was already worn where the key would come out at any position, so I don't know if a good condition switch will let you pull the key out at the steering unlocked but no power position. If not, I'm sure you can modify/file/whatever something to let the key come out.

As I said, DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND TEST THOROUGHLY!!! There is the possibilty that if it isn't quite right your steering could lock. Also, always carry a key with you anyway. My ignition fuses for my push button starter shorted one day and I had to use a key to get it home.

 

[LBarr2002]

Oh yeah, your remote starter (if hooked up correctly) should have a brake cut-off switch, so you can't drive on it anyway.

Well, you can as long as you don't hit the brakes...

 

[03Mach1]

I have been contemplating doing this to my Mach for a while now. I did not want to pull the column apart to remove the lock or try anything that would have ever have the slightest possibility of the wheel locking while driving. Here is what I was considering. My plan was to take a spare key and cut the metal piece off, then have someone weld the metal cut key onto some sort of flat knob. I would obviously have to modify the plastic column cover but should be able to do it in a way that would leave me access to the knob but if I painted it the same color as the column it would be not so visible. I would cut the wires going to the original cylinder and run them to the the push button start. So the key with the knob would basicly just be put into the ignition and turned to the run position defeating the column lock but still leave me the ability to turn it back and remove it to engage the column lock. Since the wires are cut the key would not turn on any accessories or anything else. I would however make a harness wherever the wires are cut so in the event the push start malfunctioned I could simply disconnect the harness going to the push button and re-connect it to the factory key system and start the car.