Ignition Switch in Cold Weather

Asked by jbavet59 Jan 19, 2016 at 04:34 PM about the 2013 Ford F-150 STX 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

In extreme cold weather, I start my 2013 F150 to let it warm up. When I go
out to the truck, it is running really rough and there is a "wrench" shown on
the dash board.  I had the truck into Ford last year and there was no code
on the computer.  
My question is:  If when starting the truck, the spring loaded ignition key
does not come back all of the way, can this cause the engine to run rough
and the "wrench" to come on?  This happened this morning (-20F) and I
turned it off, then restarted it.  The "wrench" came on, but when I touched
the key i felt it come back.  Everything was fine after that!

Weird!

3 Answers

1,745

Might pay to install a new ignition switch just because it does that. Then test

74,270

Minus 20 degrees plays havoc on anything metal that suppose to move. A sticking ignition switch can be the result of the climate and not a malfunction is the ignition cylinder. When it does it again, try warming it up with a hair dryer and see if it works better. The vehicle is relatively new. The ignition switch is probably not faulty.

35,335

This is for sure extreme weather condition, don't think there's anything wrong with it, it's just the weather being too cold, just make sure the key is back after you start it, if it doesn't spring back, turn it manually

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