Ford F150 - Ignition switch hard to turn when cold

My ignition switch (91 F-150) is really hard to turn when it is very cold. If the temperature is down in the single digits I almost need some kind of tool to turn it. I've sprayed WD-40 in it but that didn't help. Tried other oils but that didn't help either. Took the plastic covering off the column and put WD 40 in the mechanism everywhere I could spray it, still no help.
Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a way to fix it?

Thanks!

Have you tried turning your steering wheel a little while turning the key? There is a lock on it so you can't turn the wheel without the key, and if it binds up, the key is really hard to turn.

have you tried another key? your key might be worn out. the service van i drive for the company i work for had that happen and it was really tough to start it.

Dont use wd 40...that just gums up after....

use a silicone spray...or better yet a graphite spray....that is what your suppose to use in locks

My dads old 88 did the same thing when cold.

Yes, I've tried other keys, and turning the steering away from the stop. Doesn't help. And, when it's warm it works OK. The colder it gets the harder it turns. I really don't think I could turn it if the temperatue got down to zero. It just seems like a situation of grease getting stiff when cold.

Good idea on the graphite spray stuff. I'll get a can of that and try it. Thanks guys!

Yes lloyd I have had this same problem all winter.Well this A.M. I went out to start the pick up and some thing broke inside my ignition switch.Now I have to replace it.My repair manual says I need a steering wheel puller to pull the wheel.Does any one know if this is really necessary.If I have spend the money on special tools may be I may as well take it some where and have it done.Any one else ever have to replace the ignition switch?

Guys I noticed on a previous post on igniton switch problems that one of the remidies was just to get a whole new steering column fom the used auto parts yard.Would this be less of a pain then trying to just replace the ignition switch/lock mechanism?By the way my truck is a 89 F-150 4x4.

I've pulled steering wheels before by loosening the nut out just beyond the end of the column and bumping it with a hammer. Best to have someone else bump it while you take both arms and get under the wheel and pull up on it. If it don't seem to be working don't hammer on it untill you mess up the threads on the column or nut, just give up and borrow a puller from someone. ------And, golly, I can't imagine that replacing the ignition switch would be harder than replacing the whole column. But then I've never done either one so it could be true. Maybe someone else can comment.

Today I replaced the ignition switch and it turned out to be fairly simple.Why my repair manual says to remove the steering wheel is beyond me.There is a small hole right below the igniton.There is a pin that I was told had to be driven out.Try as I might i just could not get it to pop out.I finally got an "1/8 drill bit and an angle drill and drilled it out.After looking at the new switch it looks like I just had to push it back and pry up on the switch with a screw driver.Any way the new switch is in and it works but I dont think it it is going to solve the problem of being hard to turn when it is cold.

In regards to lubricants and locks, I worked as a locksmith a number of years ago and would most strongly urge people NOT to use graphite. This is what causes gumming of the mechanism. If the mechanism has had graphite used on it before, then WD-40 (or any solvent)will cause it to gum up. The spray solvent loosens the graphite. You need to spray a bunch of WD-40 in the locks to clean all the old graphite out. We would use a product called Tri-Flow. It included teflon in the ingredients. I still use this for lubing all my locks.

Ya know, I might just go to "plan B" !! I started to do this a while back.

The hard part of the ignition turn is from "on" to "start". --Years ago when the starter switch was separate from the ignition switch we just had a starter button to press, usually on the left dash.
It would be pretty easy to put one of those on a truck. If you don't want the button out where it can be seen it could be put under the lip of the dash where it could be pressed just on those cold days when the mechanism is hard to turn, and avoiding a breaking problem like bignuggy had. If I do this I'll simply run a hot line from the back of the cig liter, through the new starter button, and tap the starter circuit at the front end of the "in gear start protector switch" above the clutch pedal. Might have to put a little heaver fuse in the cig liter circuit.

I started to do this last winter so I might just go ahead with the idea.

my stering wheel shifter, is off set have to put it in neutral to get revers and drive 2 to drive it , have a F150 LARIAT, AUTOMATIC, MY E-MAIL IS MISS_KITTY78382@YAHOO.COM, HOW CAN I FIX THIS WITH OUT ALOT LABOR? ARE GARAGE BILL?

deputy dave...

I am not sure how successful ur business was but u DONOT use wd40 in locks...it will gum up...

The graphite spray I use for our buildings is stuff specifically for locks from my local locksmith. IT lubricates and cleans.

God I dont know how many people still use wd40...it dont work for that.

you have to replace the ignition switch not the cylinder with the key.That why the wheel needs to come off.You need a wheel puller. If you dont have one losen the nut BUT LEAVE IT ON and pull and rock at the same time. If you take the nut off you will loose your front teeth.

so true good point