93 escort ignition switch

how hard is it to replace ignition switch in 93 ford escort do you need any special tools?

Its not very hard, the only special tool would be a 'puller' for the steering wheel.
I will assume your 93 is like my 92, (not having an air bag):
There are 2 parts to the ignition switch. The actual electrical switch part, and the part the key goes into.
To remove the electrical switch, the service manual says you have to remove the steering wheel, which would require a puller, after you have removed the center cover, and removed the large nut on the end of the steering shaft. Steering wheel pullers are about the cheapest kind of pullers. Then they say to remove the steering column cover by taking out 4 screws. The next step is to remove the multi-function switch; but I managed to avoid this. I removed the retainng screw on that multi-function switch (turn signal, headlamp beam,, et.) so I could move it around a bit. Then I was able to remove the connector from the ignition switch, and undo the 3 retaining screws, and pull the switch out. I had a short offset phillips head screwdriver that helped. There is a small switch there whose purpose is to make the beeper work when you have the key in and the door open. It has a white wire running to it. I cut that white wire, because I wanted to be able to have the door open and listen to the radio - without the darn beep. It still beeps if you shut the motor off with the running lights on - which is fine.
It is a little more involved if what you want to do is to replace the ignition lock (which would result in having a new key that only fit the ignition). You still have to remove the steering wheel, and unbolt the column from the underside of the dashboard. This isnt too difficult. There are two 'tamper resistant' bolts clamping the 'lock' to the column. You need to chisel a slot in them, so you can use a hefty screwdriver to remove the bolts. You would replace them with ordinary bolts afterward.
Its probably a good idea to disconnect the battery before you do this. If your car has airbags, disconnect the battery and wait about 5 minutes before you start to remove the airbag from the steering wheel.

i just losen the column down then i had access to the 2 tamper proof threws-i use a sharp threwdriver cut a nick in the head and threw them off-less then 15 minutes-----what is wrong with the switch-----this is a 1991 ford escort---i repaired mines less then 15 bucks

All you need is a Philips head screwdriver, if it's only the ignition switch. the 'tamper resistant' screws attach the Lock cylinder (where your key goes into) to the steering column, but just a couple Philips screws attach the Ignition Switch to the Lock Cylinder.

a couple screws take the bottom half of the steering column cover off, then you can unplug the two electrical connectors, then remove the screws and the switch.

that's if it's actually the switch. What happens lots of times is that the little metal tab of the lock cylinder that goes into the slot on the switch breaks, so you turn your key and nothing happens.

In that case, you still need to turn the key to make sure that the steering wheel isn't locked, but you can then use a screwdriver to turn the ignition switch, and get your car started.

it's a PITA, especially when it happens when you're at a busy gas station and people are mad because you can't get your car started.....


--sarge