This TSB applies to a range of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles including the following:
- 1998-2002 Crown Victoria, Mustang, Taurus
- 1998-1999 F-250 LD
- 1998-2001 Explorer
- 1998-2002 E-Series, Expedition, F-150, Ranger, Windstar
- 1999-2002 Super Duty F-Series
- 2000-2002 Excursion, Explorer Sport
- 2001-2001 Explorer Sport Trac
- 1998-2002 Continental, Town Car, Navigator
- 2002 Blackwood
- 1998-2002 Grand Marquis, Sable
- 1998-2001 Mountaineer
Some ignition switch lock cylinder assemblies may exhibit the following highly intermittent conditions:
- Roughness and/or excessive effort in turning the key from RUN to START position.
- Key does not fully return from START to RUN after starting the engine. This may result in intermittent accessory function.
- Continental only – A malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may illuminate with DTCs P0500, P1502 and U1039 stored in PCM memory. This may be caused by a key-in-ignition warning chime switch.
Replace the key-in-ignition warning chime switch, located on the ignition switch lock cylinder, with revised part XL2Z-11A127-AB. Refer to the following procedure:
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait for at least one minute.
- Insert the ignition key and turn it to the RUN position.
- Insert a punch into the access hole (located in the lower steering column shroud, below the lock cylinder), and press the release button while pulling out the ignition switch lock cylinder.
NOTE: Some vehicles do not feature an access hole, requiring lower shroud removal.
- Remove the Plastic Key chime warning switch by prying upward on the plastic retainer, while sliding the switch away from the key insertion end. Refer to the appropriate model workshop manual, Section 413.
- Install a new Key-In-Ignition warning chime switch XL2Z-11A127-AB and reinstall the lock cylinder.
- Verify proper function of the ignition switch lock cylinder and key-in-ignition warning chime switch.
