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Need some help with a 68 ignition switch key buzzer.

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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 03:13 PM
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Default Need some help with a 68 ignition switch key buzzer.

Are any of you guys familiar with how the little plunger on the end of the key tumbler pushes on the little brass contact at the bottom of the switch ? If so I have a question for you. Thanks
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 06:58 PM
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I just removed the cylinder of my spare, what's your question?

Not sure I'll be able to answer it but I'll try.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 07:01 PM
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Thanks Rick
There is a black plunger that depresses the buzzer contact. On yours is the black plunger spring loaded pushing out or pulling in ?
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 07:25 PM
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Pushing out but when you insert the key it pushes the plunge out even further. If I can find my little measuring tape I can tell you how much farther the key pushes it out, if you want to know.

With key in.


Key removed.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 07:30 PM
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If you push in with your finger with no key does it try to spring back out ?
If you get hold of it and pull it out does it try to spring back in ?
I think the spring is installed wrong on mine.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
If you push in with your finger with no key does it try to spring back out ?
If you get hold of it and pull it out does it try to spring back in ?
I think the spring is installed wrong on mine.
Yes to both questions.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by DZRick
Yes to both questions.
Thanks thats what I needed to know. Your 2nd pic helped to.
The new cylinders like the one in my pic have a very heavy spring pushing the plunger out, which presses the little contact at the bottom of the switch setting off the buzzer. The key shop I talked to today said there's is also fully extended and under heavy spring pressue,,, so there not going to work. You should be able to remove the key and turn the buzzer off but this cylinder just makes it buzz.
( In my pic the key is not in all the way and the plunger is fully extended. )
I have a call in to Corvette Central about there cylinders,in their pic it is extended the same as yours.
Note -the cylinders at the key shop are $9 "extra extra extra" cheep but they wont work.
Thanks again
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 08:09 PM
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Glad I could finally help you seeing as you seem to have most of the answers for us.
It's probably a case of overseas help and plain not knowing what the thing was designed to do.
Hopefully it's just a faulty switch and Corvette Central can check their replacement before shipping it out to you.

Good luck Roger.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 08:53 PM
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Thanks , I hope CCs will be good.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Thanks thats what I needed to know. Your 2nd pic helped to.
The new cylinders like the one in my pic have a very heavy spring pushing the plunger out, which presses the little contact at the bottom of the switch setting off the buzzer. The key shop I talked to today said there's is also fully extended and under heavy spring pressue,,, so there not going to work. You should be able to remove the key and turn the buzzer off but this cylinder just makes it buzz.
( In my pic the key is not in all the way and the plunger is fully extended. )
I have a call in to Corvette Central about there cylinders,in their pic it is extended the same as yours.
Note -the cylinders at the key shop are $9 "extra extra extra" cheep but they wont work.
Thanks again
When I needed a new switch, I bought one from Auto zone about $10. I opened it up and put my original tumblers and I still using it today with no problems.
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by thatcorvetteguy
When I needed a new switch, I bought one from Auto zone about $10. I opened it up and put my original tumblers and I still using it today with no problems.
Did the autozone switch have a place for the light bulb ?

In this case the switch is good , its the tumbler assembly causing the problem.

Thanks for the interest , these 68s are rare birds.
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 12:37 PM
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Sorry I guess I didn't get it. I thought you where talking about the key side of the switch. I didn't buy the electronic side of the switch from them.
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by thatcorvetteguy
Sorry I guess I didn't get it. I thought you where talking about the key side of the switch. I didn't buy the electronic side of the switch from them.
Oh thats interesting I didnt realize they have the key assembly.
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 12:55 PM
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OMG that switch is $9.99 at the Zone and $39.95 at CC.
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
OMG that switch is $9.99 at the Zone and $39.95 at CC.
Corvette tax at it's best!

Does anybody repo the switch with the place for the light bulb anymore?
I know Ecklers used to but they have this note now.

NOTE: Light socket is no longer made on the swtich. The factory wiring harness will attach to terminals but the three snap ears will not line up with the slots.

Copied and pasted btw. lol
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by DZRick
Corvette tax at it's best!

Does anybody repo the switch with the place for the light bulb anymore?
I know Ecklers used to but they have this note now.

NOTE: Light socket is no longer made on the swtich. The factory wiring harness will attach to terminals but the three snap ears will not line up with the slots.

Copied and pasted btw. lol
Not that I know of , this car has the switch with the bulb holder.
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Old Jul 1, 2010 | 07:48 AM
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OK I got this 68 back on the road with a working key buzzer (personally I hate the buzzer).
There is no way the key tumbler/plunger assembly that I looked at would do anything except make the buzzer buzz with or without the key in.
I had to remove the plunger , discard 1 of the springs and grind 1 part of the plunger to a smaller diameter.
I know this is not a popular subject so I won't get too involved in describing it.
If anyone is having a problem with this let me know and I can go into more detail.
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