Topic: how to change ignition switch?

[brian c]

There's (2) bolts on the top of the steering column that hold the ignition switch onto the outside of the column (refer to Rick's pic). Simply remove those bolts as mentioned and then unplug the wiring connector.

To install the replacement switch, simply reverse the procedure. **There's an adjustment procedure in the service manual you bought from Hitman. You did buy it right??

[Gold79ta]

voltage meter in the car says 12/ 13 range

[Gold79ta]

does it have a round part attached to the rod that is supposed to move?
my rod does not move when ignition is turned

[ta78w72]

You don't move the ignition......you turn the key lock.  The key lock activates the rod that selects the proper position of the ignition switch.  Turn your key and look at the rod to see if it moves.  If the rod doesn't move or if the key won't turn, you've got something wrong inside the column or the ignition switch is binding.

[Gold79ta]

rod does not move, went to the auto parts store and the part they showed me looks nothing like the part on my car

[ta78w72]

I want to make sure I understand what's happening.  If you turn the key to crank the engine and release it, does the key spring back off the crank position or does it stay all the way on the crank position without springing back?

[Gold79ta]

Stays all the way in crank position without springing back.

[ta78w72]

If the rod isn't moving and the key doesn't spring back the problem could be with the key lock or the rod has disconnected somehow.  The spring back function is provided by the ignition switch via the rod to the key lock.  So, if the rod isn't moving, the ignition switch spring isn't getting compressed so you don't get spring back on the key.

OK, now what you've got to do is take the column apart.  My guess is the key lock is broken but you can't determine that until you pull off the hub, lock plate and disconnect the turn signal harness and pull the turn signal assembly out a little to gain some insight.  That's probably a two to four hour job depending on what's wrong.  You might want to replace the turn signal switch while you're at it.  It also requires a wheel puller and a lock plate depressor.  (I am correct here aren't I?  The 79 and later columns had a lock plate....I've haven't taken one of those apart).

Is it a tilt column or standard? 

Read the service manual.  It will take you step by step through the process.

A shop would probably charge you between $200 and $400 for the job depending on what's wrong.

[Mongo]

Pain in the butt if you dont have the right tools and have never done it before.

[Gold79ta]

Guess I will be paying $$200 to $400 plus a towing charge.

[ta78w72]

If I lived near you, I'd do it for you.  It's not hard if you follow the service manual.  You do need a couple of tools but they're not expensive.

You might be able to start the car by activating the rod manually.  A tilt column would require you to pull on the rod to engage the starter.  A standard column would be a push motion.

Then to shut off the engine.....you would do the opposite....i.e. push on the rod all the way for a tilt column....and pull all the way on a standard column.

I think that would work anyway.  That would get you out of a towing fee at least.  But then again....if the steering wheel is locked you wouldn't be able to drive it anywhere anyway.

Or, call the shop and see if they'd send a mechanic to do the job in your garage.  I've done that before when I've had bolts that wouldn't come out.

[RENOVATIONS]

This has been posted before but here's an easy step by step:

http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=24962.0

[ta78w72]

That's pretty close.  He's got the newer style column.

That guy did a great job on his column.

[RENOVATIONS]

Agreed...that's a great tutorial.

[Gold79ta]

Anybody in Lower michigan that would fix this for me?
Way more than I could do by myself.