Skip to main content
Topic: Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts? (Read 1264 times) previous topic - next topic

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

I'm still alive, still have my 85.  long time owner, bird's been mostly good for a while...

Anyway, a few times on Start I've had the engine light off no issue, but on release the Radio and (base cluster) Fuel and Water gauges have no power (cold/empty).  Wiggle the key cyl slightly and those power up. 

I'm calling that a Bad Ignition switch. 
$10 later, couple minutes and and I've got the panels off staring up at what appears to be 2 headless pot-metal bolts.  :mad: thanks ford :beatyoass:  love your anti-theft  :punchballs:

What I've got to work with is like a panhead with a pin sticking up out of it.  What's the best way to get these out?  Once out does anybody remember the size/pitch hardware I need?

I was thinking vice-grips, or dremel then flatblade, or worst case drill&tap.  I'd rather not hold out on the Ford Fairy to burn her to the ground as I quite like my bird.

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

Reply #1
Dremel and flat blade would be my first attempt.  If that didn't work then the vice grips.  Then the drill/tap. 

Maybe you'll get lucky and they will come out easy with the flat blade and you can just rescrew them back in and not have to buy new hardware.  And once it's all back together hope that it wasn't the key and tumbler... :)

Good luck!
84 TC 302 -5.0L/t5/7.5 locking rear and a 3.45 gear, Edelbrock Intake, Aluminum Heads, Edlebrock 65mm Throttlebody, Edlebrock Cam, 24lb injectors & MAS Air Sensor calibrated via chip,  BBK headers, Catback H pipe, Magnaflow lers :evilgrin:
:pics-stfu:

 Project Thread with pics

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

Reply #2
Quote from: blu84302;332416
Dremel and flat blade would be my first attempt.  If that didn't work then the vice grips.  Then the drill/tap. 
Good luck!


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This :D
Fox-less at the moment

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

Reply #3
Vise grips worked for me.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

Reply #4
the ones I have played with have been held in with a "tamper proof torx"  bought a bit set of them from napa for like 10 bux
1985 TC (yet another one) Fully loaded
has 225k mile  still with the factory head gasket






84  Turbo ranger  Daily driver  ($800.00 Ebay deal)
          volvo FMIC and more getto rigging than the law should allow

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

Reply #5
Quote from: BogusSVO;332483
the ones I have played with have been held in with a "tamper proof torx"  bought a bit set of them from napa for like 10 bux


Me too. Those are easy.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

 

Ignition Switch, shear on install bolts?

Reply #6
Yeah, I WISH it'd been security torx!  got several sets of all the security apex bits.

My good pair of vice grips followed me home, switch swapped out, old shear screws back in.  Wow, the ignition switch is actually crisp between detents now!