I've noticed a progressive amount of stickiness with my column lock/switch; not sure if its the lock cylinder or the switch mechanism.

I have a tilt column that's ready to in, but now my key is stuck in the old column switch (in the car presently) and in the on position. I pulled the wire to my HEI and the negative terminal is off the battery now. That was the only way I knew to stop it from running once I backed it into the garage and the only way I knew of interupting the power to the ignition switch.
Worse than all of that is that I broke the column switch trim ring that surrounds the ignition lock on the column, so even when I do replace the entire column, switch and lock, I still have a nasty looking trim ring around the keyhole.

So now what? I thouhgt I'd disassemble the column enough to get the lock cylinder out and maybe just short cut a start/momentary switch in place until I get the time to drop and replace the entire column and wheel with the new tilt column at once.
Any comments or suggestions about any of this- I especially feel bad about breaking that trim ring since I don't know of any place that carries replacements.

Thanks for listening,
Patrick

Have you tried dropping the column down and removing the screws in the ignition switch? Maybe that will help free things up.

See my answer in Electrical & Wiring
Jim

John,
Thanks for the reply. I've looked it over for a while and I think the easiest thing for now is just to start by closing the circuit at the solenoid momentarily [heavy, well insulted screwdriver] to kick it over. Since the switch is stuck in the on position, I'll have to pull the wire to the HEI each time to stop [when I get to work, when I get home] and disconnect the battery.
I'll have time to replace the entire column on the upcoming 3 day.
Otherwise, I can always rent a Focus for the week.
Oh well, its a bitch being a one man show sometimes. But, from what I've hard, marry the wrong person and its tougher yet.

DON'T replace the ignition switch, they almost never stick. The side bar in the lock cylinder has become unstaked which is common, you need to replace the lock cylinder, which will take care of the lock cover ring too. Any good locksmith will have a lock cylinder and can rekey it to match ur old key so u don't have to carry extra keys.

Problem solved: replaced old std w/newly rebulit TILT column, new levers and new lock cylinder installed, w/new Grant 13" black anodized 3spoke/leather.
It's working fine; I like a seperate door key from ignition anyway.

Now to get those late model Malibu or Gran Prix buckets, carpet and headliner.