Anyone know how to disassemble the switch itself? The terminals and connectors are toast and if I can't salvage it then having the tumbler might save rekeying a new one. It rotates fine but no continuity. It appears the cap is swaged on. A locksmith probably could help me but wanted to check here first. thanks

 

Hello,
I'd give Jeff a call.
He might well be able to help.
Regards....

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-service.html

 

 

I'm surprised no one has chimed in on how to take the switch apart. I'm thinking the stainless cap needs to be removed to pull the tumblers.
Anyone?

 

When mine went south, I just purchased a replacement from Zip.

 

Owen,

You are correct, the cap needs to come off in order to re-key the lock. If originality is an issue, this creates a problem… First, the original caps (like the one shown in the photo) have a continuous crimp around the circumference of the lock cylinder. Replacements have four tabs that are bent over to secure the cap. You CAN see the difference when installed on the car if you are looking for it. Second, the spring loaded cover for the key opening is often replaced and that as well is different than the original. The current replacement has a rectangular opening, the original has a small tab that protrudes into the rectangular opening. Again, easy to see if you know what to look for.

There are ways to get the original caps off without damage if you have a lot of patience and are so inclined. When necessary, I’ll carefully remove the cap in this manner, instal a replacement cap and cover, have the locksmith do his thing, and then remove the replacement hardware with the original parts once I get it back.

Certainly an option, but you have to deal with the issues above (again, if originality is a concern), plus you’ll still need to re-key the alarm switch to match the storage compartment (again, originality or carry a third key which can be a pain to deal with).

Regards,

Stan Falenski

 

thanks for the input, agree "fixing" what is there would be a challenge. Not that worried about originality but always try that first. I may try to carefully pry off the cap just to see what I get. Probably a lost cause anyway because the terminals are badly rusted and one is cracked halfway across. I'll post after prying it off to see how bad it looks. Appears to be SST.
js

 

I've taken the lock apart so I thought I would share those photos of the assembly. I'm dropping the body into the rust remover to see if I can get the rust off the wire terminals to reattach the broken one that has now come totally off. Pretty god odds I can make this work.
Photo 1 is taking the cap off using nosed vice grips. It damaged the top but not the sides so I believe I can flatten it back out and press on.

think beer bottle cap

deformed top that can be tapped flat again with decent results I think

Part at bottom is upside down, sat on the cylinder and is the key slot. Note 2 springs on top of cylinder. Note 2 springs on key slot that allow window to open for key.

Put key in cylinder and had to gentle pry the cylinder out (dirt and grease). Note spring at bottom of body and round pad at bottom of cylinder

Disc shown. At bottom of body note brass bar across where spring is (closed) and at 90 degrees are 2 terminals (open) that are hard to see. Note the 2 tabs sticking down at bottom of cylinder.
of course everything needs cleaned up and its not clear how one would change the pins in the cylinder but won't need to do that.
js