Ignition Woes
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
Ignition Woes
If the switch came apart in your hand, chances are it's no good and can't be re-assembled. There are no diagrams that go into that detail. Is the key and tumbler in one piece? The pins and springs intact ( little cover didn't pop off) ?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Ignition Woes
Was it the switch itself or just the switch assembly and the bezel that came apart? THe entire assembly consists of (from driver to firewall) bezel, spring, metal shroud, ignition switch. If these are the parts you had in your hand, you can put it back together. If you have two or more pieces of the switch itself, good luck.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Ignition Woes
I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a thing about ignition parts. The bezel, switch stayed in. It was all the other parts behind the dash that came apart. Where all the wires connect, that came apart. A flat copper round piece, and where that fits into also came apart and a little spring. Please explain what the tumbler is. Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Ignition Woes
The tumbler is the actual lock, the part the key slides into.
The switch is the electrical part connected to the back of the lock.
You can hotwire a lot of older cars by simply removing the switch from the lock, and moving it to Run and Start.
If you wish to remove the tumbler, you will need a paperclip:
Insert the key.
Insert the paperclip into the little hole just to the side and slightly below the key slot, and push it all the way in.
Turn the key to ACC (opposite of Run/Start) and beyond until it stops.
Pull the tumbler out of the bezel.
It has been awhile since I have done this, but if I remember correctly, you do not have to remove the bezel or anything else to remove the tumbler.
The switch is the electrical part connected to the back of the lock.
You can hotwire a lot of older cars by simply removing the switch from the lock, and moving it to Run and Start.
If you wish to remove the tumbler, you will need a paperclip:
Insert the key.
Insert the paperclip into the little hole just to the side and slightly below the key slot, and push it all the way in.
Turn the key to ACC (opposite of Run/Start) and beyond until it stops.
Pull the tumbler out of the bezel.
It has been awhile since I have done this, but if I remember correctly, you do not have to remove the bezel or anything else to remove the tumbler.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Ignition Woes
10-4. The tumbleris fine then. Its the switch that came apart in about 4 pieces. Sounds like it's shot. Can I get replacement parts for something that old? thanks
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
Ignition Woes
They are out there. You have to look on Ebay, try NAPA or a good auto parts store. Many of the obsolete parts sources may have one also. You could put a "wanted" ad on this site.
Barry
Barry
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Ignition Woes
Mine did the same thing. I was able to reassemble the switch and squeeze the metal tabs that retain the plastic guts of the switch. It worked fine for a few days and then fell apart. Luckily it fell apart at home so I was not stranded. You can buy a new switch from a popular on-line FT supplier.
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