Ignition key cylinder sticks?

[mickphatmac]

Ever since I 1st replaced my ignition switch and key cylinder 4 years ago, it has never worked quite right. You can turn it to the START position and the truck fires up but then you have to manually turn it back one click to the ON position or the starter will stay engaged. It doesn't bounce back on it's own.(Not a starter or wiring problem)

If you have seen the LED thread, you know that I just replaced the ignition switch, and I have since bought a new key cylinder but have the exact same results.

Is there a spring that I can replace or upgrade to, in order to turn the key to the START position, Let Go, and have it bounce back to the ON position without doing it manually?

The bezel reads like this for reference...

[akaFrankCastle]

Common issue with new ignition cylinders. I'd find an old OEM one and run it. Use your repop as a backup.

[mickphatmac]

Thanks, that's good advice. I did happen to buy a NORS ignition switch. I guess I'll spend the 25 bucks for the rest of it now.

[mickphatmac]

Ok well, I figured if I was going to spend $25 bucks on a six dollar part, then I would try my best to file it down and try to make it work before I spend that kind of dough!

I tried filing the long cylinder part and none of that worked. I saw there was some extra metal pieces that stuck out at the bottom of the lock that looked like they shouldn't be there, I filed that down and when I replaced it, that didn't work either.

Finally looking at the way the cylinder actually turns, the little piece at the bottom, I thought it might be too thick so I took my cut off wheel and made it thinner...

Ha! Suck it China!!!! I WIN!!! Works like a charm, It WORKS!

[cravenbronco]

Nice job :-)

[landshark]

I had the same problem on a new one and reset the ignition in the dash a few times and put graphite down near where the lock pulls out and that freed it up to spring back after start. Glad you got it figured out.