RE: Won't Shut off!!!?
Matt, I have another scenario, which I've seen way too many times on Ford tilt columns:
You are right. The ignition key cylinder is not hooked up to the ignition switch.
First, I need to give you a little lesson:
On any Ford column, the switch is ~6" lower down the column than the cylinder. On a fixed column, a single rod with a tiny rack gear on the upper end moves forward and backward as the key is turned, pushing or pulling on the switch pin as needed.
On a tilt column, this "rod" is divided into 2 pieces; the upper one has the rack gear turned by the key cylinder, is ~3" long, and ends with a cross pin. The second, lower piece, is shaped something like a "T", with the cross of the T being a plastic slotted groove, and the other end engaging the ignition switch.
The pin of the first piece fits into the slot of the second piece to allow this ignition "linkage" to bend with the tilt of the column.
Here's the problem that commonly occurs-- the plastic of the lower piece breaks. When you turn the key forward, the first piece can still PUSH on the second piece, engaging Run or Start, but because of the broken plastic, cannot PULL the lower piece back to Off.
Test my theory.
Can you feel the spring tension and the switch detents when you turn the key to Start, and does it rotate very freely when you bring it back through Off to Acc.?
Remove the ignition switch, leaving the ignition cylinder locked, and using a small screwdriver in the lower linkage hole (the one the switch pin fits into) see if you can move that linkage forwards and/or backwards without the key turning.
What do you do about this?
The linkage pieces can be replaced. They're not very expensive (~$20) but the repair will require removing the column and a very extensive bench disassemby, including separating the tilt mechanisms.
All 1st Gen. columns are interchangeable. Visit a wrecker and just drop another column in, if the price is right.
A word of warning: when you remove a steering column, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, allow the steering wheel to spin free after the column is disengaged from the steering shaft. If you do, the airbag sliding contact (clockspring) will be destroyed after you put everything back together and make your first lock-to-lock turn!!