Hi folks!

Aloha!

We became the proud owners of an '81 C3 today!

It's a BEAUTIFUL car, purchased from a forum member...

We've discovered that it has a sticky ignition switch.......

and I REALLY wanna spray some Tri-Flow into the switch to see if that loosens it up.

Bad idea?

Other ideas that might work?

I've owned a C4, and currently have a C5 as well.

The C3's have always whispered to me though.

We're happy tonight, but honor the sadness of the prior owners...

Talk with you more, soon!

BAMvette

 

It is important that we understand a basic concept in the Saginaw locking steering columns. The ignition lock cylinder is located in the steering column head and is the part where you stick your ignition key. The ignition switch is down under the dash and mounted on top of the steering column jacket.

When you rotate your ignition key, you are also turning a small plastic gear. That gear engages a die cast metal rack that pushes and pulls on a rod that extends down to the ignition switch.

So the "stickiness" that you are describing can be coming from several possible locations.
1). The actual lock cylinder itself. I could be gummed up from years of use. You could try a drop of synthetic motor oil on the tip of your ignition key. Work it back and forth into the cylinder and see if it makes a difference.
2). There is always a possibility that Bubba had his hands inside your column before you purchased it. Only God knows what could have been misassembled.
3). The actual switch itself, (down under the dash) could be sticking.
You will need to drop the column or remove it from the car in order to access the switch. You could use a small phillips screwdriver to actuate the switch once you remove it from the top of the steering column jacket.




BTW, you have a screw retained lock cylinder.

Jim

 

That car looks real nice. Congrats!
c-ya
ToddG

 

Thanks Jim Shea! I appreciate the effort you went to!

I'll try the drop of oil first. You have to jiggle the lock to get it to release and rotate, to start the car.

ToddG, thanks for the compliment.
The previous owner kept the car in immaculate condition. I hope to do as well as he has!

 

Worn key which a good locksmith may be able to decode and create a new one with a code cutter or may have a worn switch. I'm betting to the key. If it's an original ignition, it will have the key code stamped on the cylinder shell but you would have to remove the ignition to read it. That particular ignition is held in with the cross bolt. Don't put any motor oil in the ignition. Will stay there and collect dust and really gum things up down the line. Give it a quick blast of WD40. It may help but doubt it.

 

As Jim posted, there can be an accumulation of "sticky" parts all thru the column assembly. I lived with my own sticky key for over 6 months before taking the column apart. Be careful it doesn't stick in the "start" position and screw up the ring gear, can get pricey.

Before taking anything apart, get GM #7808385 , retainer/insulator, you'll need it. Follow his directions, they're good.
Complete igniton lock cylinder with 2 keys is only 12 bucks at Autozone, maybe cheaper than a locksmith.

At this stage, putting oil in the lock cyl won't hurt anything, you're whole column is probably full of old dirt and crud inside. Everyone I have ever taken apart has been, if you're lucky, no one has been in there before.

 

If you want to put motor oil in your ignition cylinder, your'e choice. I wouldn't. Not a bad idea to put it in your crankcase though. Believe that's where it belongs. BAMVette has trouble getting his key to turn in the ignition cylinder. He has to jiggle the key just to get to turn. It is a problem with the key or cylinder. There are times when the steering wheel may bind on the anti theft locking pin which puts extreme pressure on it making it difficult to turn the key in the cylinder but that is not the case in his situation as he described. He has to jiggle the key just to get it to turn. The ignition in his vehicle as well as many 79 and up GM products up to the 90's have had a problem with the spring retainer cap lifting in the ignition cylinder causing a bind which usually prevented turning the ignition to the off position. Then again, don't believe that is his problem.

Regards,

John

 

LMB69,

Gawd I've got a LOT of learning to do about this C3. I have a LMB '04.....didn't know they had the same named color in 69.

More info.....I believe my key is brand new, from the prior owner..

LMB69, do you have a thought about what my problem is?

If I were to bet, I'd say the lock is OEM. And I'd further bet that the column is "Bubba-Free". Sure could be wrong there, but that's my bet, and I'm stickin' to it!

Gonna try a shot of WD-40.

Will report back.

THANKS to ALL posters!

 

Folks, I believe the WD-40 has done the trick!

We'll see as the week goes on, but right now, I think it's a winner.

Thanks again!

 

I was told about using the "one drop of synthetic motor oil" on the tip of the ignition key to lubricate the lock cylinder by an engineer at Saginaw Steering.

WD40 is not a lubricant. It is a cleaner. I think you are asking for trouble by just using WD40. I tried WD40 to free up my sliding patio door. It slid fine for a day or two. Then is would hardly slide in the tracks. I used some lithium white chassis grease on the rollers and the tracks, the door still slides easily after two years.

If you are concerned about one drop of synthetic oil holding dirt and other contaminants, then try some dry graphite lubricant in the lock cylinder.

Jim

 

Jim, I understand your point about WD-40.

It does give me encouragement to try a drop of oil next. This car hasn't been driven a lot lately, I'm told, and I'm hoping that with some miles under her tires, things will free up.