So I parked my car, went to a local FB game. When I came back to my 2003 Ranger, all the dash lights were on…check engine, theft, brake, etc. I inserted the key…goes in real easy, and the car won’t start when I turn the key. All dash lights won’t go off unless I disconnect the battery. Any ideas? Is it the anti theft? Stumped…can’t get it started to get it back home.

 

Welcome to the forum

Reads like ignition switch under the steering column is not being moved by the key turning

The key cylinder turns a gear that moves the Actuator Rod inside the steering column
The Actuator Rod slides the ignition switch into its 4 positions, ACC, OFF, RUN, START

Picture of ignition switch: https://contentinfo.autozone.com/zne...LS615/image/2/

The silver post on the top slides and then connects the various wire terminals together to get power to different systems

You can disconnect battery, unbolt the wiring connector on ignition switch and pull off the connector
Then pull out ignition switch
See if it "feels "OK" when you slide it, if so hook connector back up and then hook up battery
Slide the switch to see if you can turn systems on and off and even START the engine
If switch works then problem is IN the steering column, Actuator Rod or gear

Google: 2003 ford ranger ignition switch replacement
Watch videos

 

Hey Ron,

You rock brother. Thanks for the help. Ordered the part and will replace tomorrow...hopefully it solves the problem.

 

OK, but what part?

Could be ignition switch or actuator rod, or gear assembly

 

In the interest of time I bought the ignition switch in case when I tested, that was the problem. It was pretty cheap on Amazon ($15). Will check the actuator rod as well...

 

Well...being the noob that I am and trying to understand, when you turned the key before this problem, it used to have a lot more "give". I replaced the ignition switch, but before I did, I stuck a screwdriver in the hole where the rod from the ignition switch goes and moved it up and down. It slid real easy up and down the column and wouldn't stay in one spot. I moved it up high enough to where is stuck, slid the ignition switch in an it started. The key still has a lot of "give" and sliding, but now the car will not shut off! I am assuming this is some version of your original note. Questions I still need to answer: is this the actuator rod? or the gear? Based on a little research, I have to pull off the steering wheel and check out to see if the actuator rod is broken.

 

Update: It was the actuator rod...the metal pin at the end of it broke off. I can't seem to find the broke pin though. So I found a video about removing part of the steering column on a Ford Aerostar, which was the same thing and putting a new one in there. Been an adventure so far...hopefully I can get it all put back together. Thanks again Ron for getting me focused on where the problem is...