I have a 89 ford tempo and i recently replaced the ignition switch and tumbler cylinder. I think I may have inadvertantly unplugged a wire as my car will not start, I have checked the fusable link between the battery and the switch and no problems

I have a black wire with lavender stripes that is not plugged to anything, and has a copper connector to do so, is this my problem and if so what the heck is it? can anyone tell me where it goes? thanks!!

 

Sounds like a part I inadvertantly cracked in a '91 Taurus steering column replacing the switch. It cracks off when you inproperly remove the switch. It goes in against the switch. Personally I wired it back on/in with a plastic coated lace wire but you may want to get a new one at a salvage yard (see how they come apart first though so as not to break the new one out). I forget if it's the part or the housing that breaks - but it's a really small piece of plastic that holds it in against the other connector.