ReneH Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 Hi, yesterday I've started the car, had driven some miles, parked the car and went into the supermarket. As I came back to leave, I could turn the ignition key without result. Only the aux position works. After some hours at work, thinking about the reason, I have had the ignition lock as suspect. So some more hours later, I've grabbed a pincer and a screwdriver from work and got back to my bronco. After removing the cover from the steering shaft, I've got access to the rod, that accesses the ignition switch. Now, when I turn the key, I can help to push the rod with the pincer to start the car. Yes! it works! I was happy and set the gear to reverse to leave the parking spot. So far, so good! Now I tried to set the gear to drive...no chance at all...so I've parked the car again and called the German ADAC to bring my Bronco home in my workshop. They came with a crane, cause I can't set the gear into neutral... Today, I will see, what's the problem. But it doesn't matter what this problem caused, the thing is in this case, that a very small and seemingly not very important part has faild and causes that I was very helples... Even if you carry some tools in the car, I think nobody will carry a steering wheel puller in the car... I will post photos of what I'll find, later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReneH Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 Oh my God! I've found the villain! That's Bad! I'll look for this part and also a repair solution... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 Oh my God! I've found the villain! That's Bad! I'll look for this part and also a repair solution... You apparently have a tilt wheel and that is the infamous 3E715. It is a known problem for starting, and your description of using pincers/pliers to pull up on the rod is very common for that problem. But I wasn't aware that it could also cause you not to be able to shift into gear. Our page on Steering Columns discusses the problem and there are at least three links to how to fix it. Here's one, but you can go to our page for the others. That's one of the reasons I took the tilt column out of Big Blue and put a fixed column in. I already had an intermittent no-start problem, and everything I read said that it would quit completely at some point. And the cause is using the steering wheel to hoist yourself into the truck, which I do all the time. So I decided that the ability to start in the back of beyond was more important than comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReneH Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 You apparently have a tilt wheel and that is the infamous 3E715. It is a known problem for starting, and your description of using pincers/pliers to pull up on the rod is very common for that problem. But I wasn't aware that it could also cause you not to be able to shift into gear. Our page on Steering Columns discusses the problem and there are at least three links to how to fix it. Here's one, but you can go to our page for the others. That's one of the reasons I took the tilt column out of Big Blue and put a fixed column in. I already had an intermittent no-start problem, and everything I read said that it would quit completely at some point. And the cause is using the steering wheel to hoist yourself into the truck, which I do all the time. So I decided that the ability to start in the back of beyond was more important than comfort. Yes, if the broken part stucks, it's the same for the shift lever as when the steering lock is active. Thanks for your link, it helps much, to be sure that all I've done was right and that I've nothing forgotten when reassembling. As I've not the luxury to get parts here like in the USA, I have had to help myself with a M3 screw and 2K glue... I think it will last a while... I know what you mean, but I like the tilt so much...so, I'll keep it. Maybe I'll copy this actuator in my CAD software and let it CNC mill, made of some hard steel in my company sometimes in the future... By now, everything except the steering wheel and the wiring of the turn signal switch is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 Yes, if the broken part stucks, it's the same for the shift lever as when the steering lock is active. Thanks for your link, it helps much, to be sure that all I've done was right and that I've nothing forgotten when reassembling. As I've not the luxury to get parts here like in the USA, I have had to help myself with a M3 screw and 2K glue... I think it will last a while... I know what you mean, but I like the tilt so much...so, I'll keep it. Maybe I'll copy this actuator in my CAD software and let it CNC mill, made of some hard steel in my company sometimes in the future... By now, everything except the steering wheel and the wiring of the turn signal switch is done. Glad you are getting it fixed! And making one in steel would be a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBrother-84 Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 As I've not the luxury to get parts here like in the USA, I have had to help myself with a M3 screw and 2K glue... Nice repair! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReneH Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 As I've not the luxury to get parts here like in the USA, I have had to help myself with a M3 screw and 2K glue... Nice repair! Thanks Gary, thanks Jeff. I will order an original part in with my next order...only to be sure...from that part, I'll let build one made from steel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReneH Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 Thanks Gary, thanks Jeff. I will order an original part in with my next order...only to be sure...from that part, I'll let build one made from steel... My repaired part works well. But after reconnecting the turn signal switch, the left front signal and the status lamp inside the car for the left turn signal don't work anymore. The left back signal and everything on the right side works well. It seems that I have connected something wrong, cause I have had already eliminated the connector of the switch. Looking about the cable colors won't help, cause the switch I've bought has other colors. Can I find here something about the cable colors? Which cable of the switch has to meet which cable of the body wiring harness? Otherwise I have to re-check my photos from when it has worked... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 My repaired part works well. But after reconnecting the turn signal switch, the left front signal and the status lamp inside the car for the left turn signal don't work anymore. The left back signal and everything on the right side works well. It seems that I have connected something wrong, cause I have had already eliminated the connector of the switch. Looking about the cable colors won't help, cause the switch I've bought has other colors. Can I find here something about the cable colors? Which cable of the switch has to meet which cable of the body wiring harness? Otherwise I have to re-check my photos from when it has worked...http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/uploads/6/5/8/7/65879365/zipper-23x23_orig.png The 1986 EVTM always has the wire colors and circuits numbered. https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1986-evtm.html Id say circuit 3 (light green and white) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReneH Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 The 1986 EVTM always has the wire colors and circuits numbered. https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1986-evtm.html Id say circuit 3 (light green and white) Thanks Jim for your help. I'll take a look, this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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