Hello,

Let me start by saying I know virtually nothing about cars...about as advanced as I ever get working on mine is wiring in a new stereo, so I'm kind of out of my depth here even though I do like to tinker and poke around and learn new things. So, apologies if this is a "duh" question. (I did try searching the forums, didn't come up with anything on "ignition" though.)

Got a ignition problem with my 96 V6, wondered if anyone can help me figure out what is going on.

I went out to run some errands today and didn't notice anything wrong. Got back home, messed around in the shop a bit and then decided to back the car up a little so I could move some stuff around the carport. Got in, turned the key...and nothing. Instead of "clicking" through the positions it just turned freely to the far end of its range. The idiot lights came on (detected my presence just fine I guess ), radio came on, lights, etc., but no engine start. And when I took the key out, the electrical system stayed on.

So I started looking under the dash, and if I take down the ignition switch module I can manually slide the switch through the various positions and everything works, including starting the engine, so it apparently isn't the switch itself or the wiring. It looks like maybe the actuator rod that (according to some googling) the lock cylinder pushes is broken? I can see it moving when I turn the key, but down at the end with the hole that presumably pushes/pulls the switch through the various positions it doesn't move unless I stick a screwdriver into the hole and pull it back as far as I can towards the steering wheel (feels like it is encountering a spring here); then turning the key moves the bar at that end as far as the ON (?) position but no further-- IOW not pushing that last little bit required to start the engine. And when I turn the key BACK...that end it doesn't move back like I would expect...which would explain why all the electrical systems stay on, I guess.

Kind of puzzled what to do next. Not sure if the rod is supposed to be two pieces that link together (and the link has somehow come disengaged) or if it's one piece that's just broken or come loose on one end, maybe? Or is the problem in the lock cylinder? I've been looking but can't figure out how to remove that, and not even sure if that's necessary. Or does this require removing the steering wheel, in which case maybe I should stop while I'm ahead and get a professional?

Thanks for any replies!