Ignition Switch Problem...

[Mexplorer]

I have an 96 explorer V6. It has 90,x.. miles. Today i parked my truck outside of my house. When i needed to go, i jumped in the explorer and put the key, in the start position , but the engine didnt crank. Well, i tried 4 or 5 times more but no luck. Everything is fine, the cluster is OK, power everything but no crank. I tried with another good battery (one of my F-150 in working condition) but remained the same situation.

I checked all the fuses in the fuse panel and at the power distribution box. They are good. Finally, i put the truck in the ON position and used the trick of the screwdriver in the solenoid. The truck started OK. I released the key and the engine shut off. Ok, i tried again , but no crank. Again i used the screwdriver and the truck started. Well, i shut the truck again and inmediately i felt the ignition cilinder lock very loose. Now the steering wheel cant lock, the transmision shifter (is an auto) is free of movement, and the truck stays in ON position, all of this even without the key....

The only thing i could do was disconnect the battery.

What would i do to solve this ? it is related to the ignition switch ? is hard to fix/replace ? thanks ....

 

[MNHawk]

I have a 91 that has a simular issue. The Ignition Switch keeps failing. I have replaced it 5 times now and still keeps doing the same thing. It fails and puts anywhere from 1.5 to 4 volts to the starter relay on the run posistion.
Its held in with two 10mm steal bolts to an alum. colum. I even tried locktight and still without moving/slipping, it does the same thing.
You might get lucky and can just realign it and be fine. Mine is a different issue that might just be with defective part (odd as I have done it 5 times now with the same results).
Its easy to get too, and not very expencive part (about avg. of 25 bucks)