C5 Ignition Switch Repair
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 142
From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Well we have finally decided that is must be the ignition, **Dang it**, I looked at your removal procedure, and it does not look like something that a novice ( like me) would want to try. I have worked on a lot of cars, but I have not torn into the interior much. How long does it usually take to remove the ignition?
Novice= 30 min Expierenced C5er, 10 min
Its really not that difficult.
Just keep thinking - Dealer labor $99/hr, Dealer labor $99/hr, Dealer labor $99/hr, Dealer labor $99/hr, Dealer labor $99/hr, Dealer labor $99/hr, Dealer labor $99/hr,
After you say that a couple of times, it will be out!!
BC
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks so much for the quick reply Bill, I got a little worried when reading the removal instr, and it said things like, inflatable restraint module, Remove the I/P compartment, and what the heck is a driver knee bolster trim panel.
, I was wondering why I would have to remove anything in the console, like the fog lamp, rear compartment lid release switch,.. Thanks again, I will let you know how things turn out.
, I was wondering why I would have to remove anything in the console, like the fog lamp, rear compartment lid release switch,.. Thanks again, I will let you know how things turn out.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks so much for the quick reply Bill, I got a little worried when reading the removal instr, and it said things like, inflatable restraint module, Remove the I/P compartment, and what the heck is a driver knee bolster trim panel., I was wondering why I would have to remove anything in the console, like the fog lamp, rear compartment lid release switch,.. Thanks again, I will let you know how things turn out.
, I was wondering why I would have to remove anything in the console, like the fog lamp, rear compartment lid release switch,.. Thanks again, I will let you know how things turn out.
Thats the close out panel under the drivers dash area. Yea, it needs to be removed. Its easy! Its just a panel with a light connected to it. Pop out the light once its removed and BAM, its done. You will be fine with the air bag stuff!
Really not a concern.remove that panel, the center console and you will be all set
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
ign. switch
This is a problem I have. It may ormay not be switch related. I open the door and all the door lights, dash lights come on as they should. Close door and all stay on. Turn ign. switch to on and they all work. Start the car and they all go out. Heads up works fine. All I show is odometer and radio station and a/c temp. Any answers?????
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 142
From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
This is a problem I have. It may ormay not be switch related. I open the door and all the door lights, dash lights come on as they should. Close door and all stay on. Turn ign. switch to on and they all work. Start the car and they all go out. Heads up works fine. All I show is odometer and radio station and a/c temp. Any answers?????
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Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The repair is actually very very easy. You might surprise your self if you try it. If you really feel that its beyond your ability, hell send it to me with return shipping and I will fix it for you.
BC
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Aug 25, 2010 at 09:36 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Columbus OH
I just replaced mine over the weekend. It's pretty easy getting the center console out. I've had mine out 3 or 4 times and I could probably do it blindfolded by now. Here's a link from Vette Essentials on how to remove the center console and the knee bolster. You really only need to follow it to about step 6 for this project. http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html (I hope it's OK to post this link)
I did run into a little trouble getting the key cylinder out of the switch. After I got the brake release cable out I removed the key. I didn't realize I needed to leave it in and in the 'On' position in order to get the key cylinder out.
I did run into a little trouble getting the key cylinder out of the switch. After I got the brake release cable out I removed the key. I didn't realize I needed to leave it in and in the 'On' position in order to get the key cylinder out.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 30,055
Likes: 351
From: Big Red Ne
I can't believe I read this entire thread. What great info. Add my name to the list for buying drinks for Bill C. Fabulous explanations. I will be starting in on my ignitions switch and lock tomorrow. Again, what a great thread. Thanks to all that have contributed.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita CA
Add me to the list of VERY happy corvette owners that finally found the answer to one of my biggest gremlin issues!! I can't thank Bill enough for the time he puts in on this forum! Took me an hour an a half to complete this job and I've never taken my dash apart.
I was pissed once I got in there though because it looks like the last owner let his 15 year old kid take the dash apart and didn't realize that american cars use screws and not those stupid plastic pop in pieces. Everywhere I took out a screw, there was a broken piece of the dash that came out with it. Oh well, I guess that's just me getting to know my baby.
I was pissed once I got in there though because it looks like the last owner let his 15 year old kid take the dash apart and didn't realize that american cars use screws and not those stupid plastic pop in pieces. Everywhere I took out a screw, there was a broken piece of the dash that came out with it. Oh well, I guess that's just me getting to know my baby.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
It's been a few weeks since I actually fixed my ignition switch but you can also add me to the list of repaired ignition switch problems.
I had some really weird issues because of this. Anything from no dash lights, to the DIC saying Low Voltage, to the car starting and then dying after two feet, to the car not starting at all. I have yet to see any of these problems again after fixing this switch. It took me all of 30 minutes to get the switch out and back in again. It was a super simple fix.
Here's another mythical six pack to Bill C.
I had some really weird issues because of this. Anything from no dash lights, to the DIC saying Low Voltage, to the car starting and then dying after two feet, to the car not starting at all. I have yet to see any of these problems again after fixing this switch. It took me all of 30 minutes to get the switch out and back in again. It was a super simple fix.
Here's another mythical six pack to Bill C.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 30,055
Likes: 351
From: Big Red Ne
Well, it is finally done, thanks to Bill Curlee (and others). I replaced the ignition cylinder on my 1999 FRC and the car now starts and works fine. I will have to drive it for a couple of days just to make sure that it solved the problems but I am relatively sure it has. It was a straight forward fix, not much to it at all. About one hour for me and I am certainly not a technician. Bought the key cylinder on the net for $75.00 and had it re-keyed for an additional $15.00. So for $90.00 I now can drive again without having to worry about getting somewhere and not being able to start the Vette. Dealer said it would be about $400.00 for the fix. Thanks again to all who contributed to this thread, and especially to Bill. You all are a great bunch. Keep the wave going.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 30,055
Likes: 351
From: Big Red Ne
Well we have finally decided that is must be the ignition, **Dang it**, I looked at your removal procedure, and it does not look like something that a novice ( like me) would want to try. I have worked on a lot of cars, but I have not torn into the interior much. How long does it usually take to remove the ignition?
