New Steering column

[catthepatch]

Put a new steering column into the old ford f150 yesterday. The ignition was all screwed up in the old one. Now everything went together well, had to change the mounting fins and took a while to tap together the universal joint to line up the bolt. My question is none of the electrical systems work now. Do I have to trace out the lines on the column plug? Or could the issue be something else?

Suggestions? Ideas? Any help greatly appreciated.

Happy Testing!!!

[Bigpineguy Retired]

check to make sure that you have the ground connected to the column, a bad ground can give you all kinds of problems....

BPG~

[satchick]

Did you disconnect the battery/batteries before swapping colums? If not, check all the fuses, both under the dash and in the engine compartment fuse box. As BPG pointed out, it could be something like a bad/dirty ground connection. There might be more than one.

If the "new" column is a used part, check for broken wires in the ignition harness. Also, if it's from a different year the connector pinout could be different, unlikely but sometimes they do change things. It helps if you have the factory service manual for your model to trace these things. Again, if it's a used part at least get a printout of the wiring connector if it's from a different year.

[scrampy55]

Did you disconnect the battery/batteries before swapping colums? If not, check all the fuses, both under the dash and in the engine compartment fuse box. As BPG pointed out, it could be something like a bad/dirty ground connection. There might be more than one.

If the "new" column is a used part, check for broken wires in the ignition harness. Also, if it's from a different year the connector pinout could be different, unlikely but sometimes they do change things. It helps if you have the factory service manual for your model to trace these things. Again, if it's a used part at least get a printout of the wiring connector if it's from a different year.

i thought women dont know anythin about cars lol just kidding

[catthepatch]

Got shanghighed today, was going to put the starter in but, got wrangled into going to get a dodge. Was to drive it down from another town 50 miles away. Got there, truck started and moved around, did some other stuff and then the truck wouldn't start. Left the truck there, went to another town and got a ride back to my vehicle and went home. Now the truck is going by trailer home! Best idea I thought of all day!!! No bubbles, no troubles!!! Will have to do some more research on the column, wire diagrams, grounds, little catch cables and a bunch of other stuff. Getting a bunch of other stuff for free when I get back up there, like an engine stand, some new tires and rims and even an engine from an Ikea!

Thanks for the input and wish me luck!!!

Happy Testing!!!

[satchick]

Most good auto parts stores will be able to give you a printout from Mitchell or Alldata with the wiring diagrams, and probably a diagram of how it all goes together... I would still highly recommend getting a copy of the FSM though, as it seems you've got alot planned for this truck.

[catthepatch]

Just going to be a farm truck. Gets to move stuff around and go to the dump once or twice a year. Just a replacement for the last truck I broke getting my first BUD home! Just lucky I got to the driveway before it died!

Happy Testing!!!

[bigdummy]

sounds like the ignition rod has slipped out of groove for the ignition switch,
what year F150

[catthepatch]

Still waiting to get paid!!! Think I'll just order a new column from the wreckers. Seems the part I broke is more hassle than it's worth! Been driving down a few of the less traveled roads looking with no luck. Maybe a newer truck is in order?

Happy Testing!!!