I'm working on my son's 89 D250 5 speed 2WD, it came with a jacked up arrangement to start it that bypassed the ignition lock cylinder.
I'm starting to see why, I've got the inside of the column apart and all the linkages at the steering wheel end are visible and I see how it works at the steering wheel end. The key will turn to the accessory position and to the position where the key can be removed, but won't turn to the start position. The rod going down the top of the steering column appears to be binding and preventing the key from turning to the start position.
I can occasionally get the rod into the start position without being connected but once I connect the column parts and the lock cylinder to the rod, it binds up mechanically and won't go to the start position.
I can't see what exactly is up there on top of the column at the other end of the rod and can't find anything on the web so far but is it electrically connected somehow? Does the actuator rod even need to be connected to the lock cylinder end? I assume so and I'll have to drop the column down to replace whatever is up there but I thought I would ask.
Thanks!