Ignition Switch
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Farifax Station VA
Ignition Switch
I think I have a dead spot on my ignition switch. How hard is it to replace the steering column ignition switch? where can I get the parts? and, about how much $$. Has anyone done this.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
Look at corvettefaq.com and then go to articles written by Jim OShea. He has some good detailed info that is just what you're looking for. As for parts: Dr Rebuild, Paragon, Zip, Volunteer Vette, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
$18 from Paragon... 1969-1979
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/p-34...on-switch.aspx
The plastic portion is held to the rest of the switch by the metal being crimped over. It is not unusual to have the crimp "relax" over the years. If this is the case, you can often simply re-crimp it to tighten the switch together.
I've had this happen on my '73 which made "Start" an intermittent occurrence. Ford also used a similar switch on their column and the same problem occurred with them. If the car can be down for a few days, you might want to remove the switch and check it out before ordering a new one. If the crimp is loose, it will be readily apparent.
You can also drop the column a few inches by removing the two bolts under the column after removing the plastic cover, to give you some extra room. I also loosen the bolts at the firewall to help and use long (about 3") bolts at the bottom of the dash to hold the column while you work on the switch.
Good luck... GUSTO
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/p-34...on-switch.aspx
The plastic portion is held to the rest of the switch by the metal being crimped over. It is not unusual to have the crimp "relax" over the years. If this is the case, you can often simply re-crimp it to tighten the switch together.
I've had this happen on my '73 which made "Start" an intermittent occurrence. Ford also used a similar switch on their column and the same problem occurred with them. If the car can be down for a few days, you might want to remove the switch and check it out before ordering a new one. If the crimp is loose, it will be readily apparent.
You can also drop the column a few inches by removing the two bolts under the column after removing the plastic cover, to give you some extra room. I also loosen the bolts at the firewall to help and use long (about 3") bolts at the bottom of the dash to hold the column while you work on the switch.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Farifax Station VA
I can't get access to corvettefq.com...messge says the page doesn't exist. any other ideas? When I turn the ignition key, what does that do; I noticed that when I turn the ket, a lanyard of some kind routed along side the steering column pulls on something, but I can't tell what? Does it pull on a switch of some kind?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
how do you know it is not the starter solenoid ?
That is more likely where you would have a Dead Spot,
If you can rap on the starter and it works, switch is not the problem.
Dead Spot = carbon /arcing buildup from years of starting,
solultion dissassemble the solenoind and flip the copper contact washer over,
and clean the contact bolts.
That is more likely where you would have a Dead Spot,
If you can rap on the starter and it works, switch is not the problem.
Dead Spot = carbon /arcing buildup from years of starting,
solultion dissassemble the solenoind and flip the copper contact washer over,
and clean the contact bolts.
Last edited by 69Vett; Dec 29, 2008 at 10:41 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
the key switch mecanically locks/unlocks a rod, which reaches down along the top of the column and them moves your start switch, the switch is mounted on a slide adjustment,
which allows adjusting of the switch assemble,
you may get lucky and just need to adjust the starter switch.
which allows adjusting of the switch assemble,
you may get lucky and just need to adjust the starter switch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
The switch actually has a slide "sandwiched" in the middle of it. A rod travels down the top of the column from the key switch to the ignition switch. As the key rotates, it moves the rod which in turn moves the slide in the switch to the correct position.
In most cases, you would need to lower the column to see the rod that travels down the column, so I'm not sure about a "lanyard". If you reach on top of the column, you should be able to feel the rod I'm talking about and see if it is "snug". It shouldn't be too tight, as it does have to move, but it also shouldn't have a lot of play.
The switch itself has slots where the screws fasten it to the top of the column.
This allows you to fine tune the position so that the key position corresponds to the correct switch position.
Good luck... GUSTO
In most cases, you would need to lower the column to see the rod that travels down the column, so I'm not sure about a "lanyard". If you reach on top of the column, you should be able to feel the rod I'm talking about and see if it is "snug". It shouldn't be too tight, as it does have to move, but it also shouldn't have a lot of play.
The switch itself has slots where the screws fasten it to the top of the column.
This allows you to fine tune the position so that the key position corresponds to the correct switch position.
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Try www.jimshea.corvettefaq.com
I will take you to all of the Corvette and the A & F-Car steering papers.
I don't know what has happened to the original link.
Jim
I will take you to all of the Corvette and the A & F-Car steering papers.
I don't know what has happened to the original link.
Jim
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