Help Me Adjust/Replace My Ignition Switch
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Help Me Adjust/Replace My Ignition Switch
Recently I have had to turn my ignition cylinder all the way over to start my '81. More so than normal. Today it didn't start at all. Is there a procedure to adjust the ignition switch? Does this indicate that the switch needs to be replaced? I know that the switch is on the bottom of the column and I've been under the dash a lot lately. Maybe I accidentally knocked it out of adjustment?
I don't have any books or manuals that explain adjusting or replacing the switch. Any insight on my problem and solutions are welcome.
I don't have any books or manuals that explain adjusting or replacing the switch. Any insight on my problem and solutions are welcome.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
The chances that you knocked it out of adjustment is HIGHLY unlikely.
And..knowing that the connectors that plug into your ignition switch are hard to get out on their own..I doubt that they became uncaged...but worth looking at.
AS for doing this type of repair....you can try to adjust your ignition switch some and see if it helps...or go to GM and get one....because the GM ones have a green pin in them that centers the switch in the OFF position. You will need to remove and re-adjust your high /low beam switch also. I sometimes drop the column a little bit so I can use my small wrenches and get it off and back on. If my memory serves me correctly I have my 5/16'', 3/8'' and 11/32'' wrenches to do this.
DUB
And..knowing that the connectors that plug into your ignition switch are hard to get out on their own..I doubt that they became uncaged...but worth looking at.
AS for doing this type of repair....you can try to adjust your ignition switch some and see if it helps...or go to GM and get one....because the GM ones have a green pin in them that centers the switch in the OFF position. You will need to remove and re-adjust your high /low beam switch also. I sometimes drop the column a little bit so I can use my small wrenches and get it off and back on. If my memory serves me correctly I have my 5/16'', 3/8'' and 11/32'' wrenches to do this.
DUB
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Well I ended up getting a switch and installing it. I dropped the column and it just didn't seem to be enough room to get to the switch. So I pulled the seat and gauge cluster. I could at least see it then. Installed the switch and adjusted the high/low switch for the headlights. The ignition cylinder turned enough to start the car and I didn't have to bottom it out. One more fun job to add to the list of repairs on this old Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Well I ended up getting a switch and installing it. I dropped the column and it just didn't seem to be enough room to get to the switch. So I pulled the seat and gauge cluster. I could at least see it then. Installed the switch and adjusted the high/low switch for the headlights. The ignition cylinder turned enough to start the car and I didn't have to bottom it out. One more fun job to add to the list of repairs on this old Corvette.
Glad you got it done.DUB
