1997 Ford E-150

1997 Ford E-150 with a stuck ignition and no temperature control.

Sep 23, 2007 Vincent Ciulla

Your questions answered about a 1997 Ford E-150.

This weekly Q&A session answers your questions about cars and trucks. This week explores a 1997 Ford E-150 with a stuck ignition and no temperature control.

Question: 1997 Ford E-150

I have an E-150 V6 Ford van with an automatic transmission. My problem is that when I went to start it last night the ignition will not disengage. I tried 2 different keys and still locked. I tried turning the wheel hard left and hard right in between and holding the shift lever in different positions but still locked. I tried pulling the van backwards to maybe unlock the transmission if that was the problem but still locked. Nothing seems to let me disengage and start the van. Any solutions?

Also the door for the air conditioner is locked in the heat position and will not allow air conditioning to come into the van. What is the fix to get the door to open? I live in Florida so I don't need the heat side of it so maybe just a way to get the door open and leave it open for the air only?

Warren

North Port, Florida

Answer:

It sounds like the lock cylinder is broken internally. If that is the case you'll need to remove it and replace it. Here's how to do it: NOTE: The following procedure only applies to vehicles in which the ignition lock is inoperative and the lock cylinder cannot be rotated due to a lost or broken key, unknown key number, or a cap that has been damaged or broken to the extent that the lock cylinder cannot be rotated.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
  2. Remove the steering wheel.
  3. Using channel lock pliers or vise grip pliers, twist the cap until it separates from the ignition switch lock cylinder.
  4. Using a 3/8-inch diameter drill, drill down the middle of the ignition lock key slot approximately 44 mm (1-3/4 inch) until the ignition switch lock cylinder breaks loose from the breakaway base of the ignition switch lock cylinder. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder and drill the shavings from the lock cylinder housing.
  5. Remove the retainer, bearing and gear. Thoroughly clean all drill shavings and other foreign materials from the casting.
  6. Carefully inspect the lock cylinder housing for damage from the above operation. If damage is apparent, the lock cylinder housing must be replaced.

INSTALLATION:

  1. Replace the lock cylinder housing, if damaged.
  2. Install the gear, bearing and retainer.
  3. Install a new ignition switch lock cylinder.
  4. Install the steering wheel.
  5. Reconnect the battery ground cable. NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the Powertrain Control Module relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to relearn the strategy.
  6. Check the operation of the ignition switch lock cylinder.

As for the heater door there was a TSB issued on it.

Article No.: 98-5-10

Date: 03/16/98

Air Conditioning: No Temperature Control: Vehicles Built Through 2/25/98

Heater: No Temperature Control: Vehicles Built Through 2/25/98

LIGHT TRUCK:

1997-1998 Econoline

ISSUE:

Absence of temperature control on some vehicles may be due to the blend door actuator shaft having an interference tit with the blend door, thus causing the blend door to break.

ACTION:

Replace the heater case assembly with a revised heater case assembly.

If this is something you feel you can tackle, let us know and we can provide instructions.

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