1990 Ford F150 Pickup Truck,Changing The Ignition Lock Cylinder And Keys

This repair is similar for many of the Ford trucks and vans of this era. It is very simple to do as long as the key will still switch on and the electrical portion of the ignition switch is properly adjusted. First switch the ignition on and locate the access hole for the release pin. Then using a small rod, push in on the retaining pin. You should feel it move in about an 1/8″ of an inch.

Once the pin is pushed in simply pull on the lock cylinder assembly and remove.

To install line up the notches and push the new cylinder back in and turn the key off.

If the pin pushes in but the lock cylinder will not pull out, you may have to loosen the electrical portion of the ignition switch located further down the column. I had to do this in order to remove this one and yes, I realise that I am showing pictures of removing and installing the same new lock cylinder in all of the pictures. Just the way it works out sometimes.

If you have to get to the electrical portion of the ignition switch, it is located above the aluminum plate show in the picture. Remove the 6 bolts holding the bracket on and the steering column will drop down and you will find the switch on the left side of the column. It is held in place by two nuts.

31 discussions on “1990 Ford F150 Pickup Truck,Changing The Ignition Lock Cylinder And Keys”

  1. It sounds like you took care of your problem. If the electrical part of the switch needs to be changed, it is usually because the blower and turn signals will not work unless you wiggle the key back and forth a little.

  2. That worked great! Very glad to have found this post. My ignition switch was becoming impossible to turn. It was really bad on cold days. Is that an indication that just the cylinder needs to be replaced, or does that indicate something more could be wrong?

    Thanks!!

  3. A pain staking hour or two of drilling, chipping and prying while not actually breaking the housings. I have done it and it is possible. You have to remove all of the center of the cylinder until all that is left is the hardened inner piece then the pin can be driven in and the hardened center can be twisted with a large screwdriver to brake it loose.

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