Help….

[Buzzard]

I got a 1988 Ford Ranger XLT, (SuperCab),4x4, With a Manual Transmission.

How hard is it to wire in a push button and toggle switches to run the same function as my ignition switch, I would like to delete the ignition switch altogether. Any help is appreciated.

Also does anyone have wiring diagram or schematic for the harness on the steering column going to the the ignition switch.

 

[19Walt93]

Here you go.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So… the key cylinder unlocks the steering wheel when it moves a rod or assembly that in turn cycles the actual ignition switch bolted to the steering column in the dash. IMHO, it’s easier just to keep the key switch in place and just replace it if it’s bad. When the cylinder broke in my F-150 I actually found a locksmith to set me up with a new cylinder keyed to my original cylinder. Takes a couple seconds to swap out. My old cylinder wasn’t completely broke, so I could still cycle it, just not well, but enough to get to the detent for swapping them

 

[MISWFL]

Many of my cheap beater cars in the 1980s and 1990s came with rigged up starter switches. The more "professional" of them used home door bell buttons lol. One of the first things I'd do is a thorough cleaning to get rid of the cigarette smell and residue, drug leftovers like seeds, roaches, baggies, etc and other nasty stuff. Then I'd get rid of hokey wiring stuff like aftermarket alarms, jacked up stereo wiring and non stock stuff like start buttons. They were usually added because the ignition switch was punched or the electrical part failed, which was very common on VWs.

If you hide the start button under the dash somewhere, it'll make your truck a bit harder to steal.

A work buddy's Toyota's electronic ignition failed. I got him a cheap older points type distributor from the wrecking yard and wired it up with a hidden switch to power it up. Later on someone tried stealing his truck by punching the ignition lock, but couldn't get it to run because they didn't know about the switch I hid under the dash.