Why is my ignition so hot?!?

[Sky_Runner]

I just had the same hot ignition key, hot steering column.

I made it home, but next day truck was dead when I turned key. Looks like the battery anchor bolt broke, battery was loose under hood, for a couple weeks and it worked the battery positive cable loose. Guess the (+)cable was making and breaking contact for the short drive home. Doing strange things to the alternator and other systems.

I reattached the cable and replaced the bolt. Things seem normal now.

I was convince I had a bad ignition switch, or something worse. Just sharing for those who might run into this

 

[sandracer33]

I lost my last '98 to a similar issue. I had noticed the key/switch had been getting very warm for a couple weeks. Truck was 5speed, the starter engaged its self while parked for the night. The starter actually pushed the truck 50 feet before it ran into a fence. The security guard at the track saw it happen, and said the engine compartment was already on fire when it started moving. It was almost impossible to track down the cause due to the fire damage, but the only damage inside that we found was the wiring from the firewall to the starter switch. Not sure if it was internal switch issue, wiring, starter relay, or something completely un-related, but I wouldn't wait on getting it diagnosed.