Is there way to modernize the key switch? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**IT Cowboy** · 02-14-2025, 09:11 PM

Last evening my battery died and I think what happened is that I had turned the key to acc. and removed it. My key worn to where it almost looks like a blank. Is there a newer switch that would have a more positive click or engagement in each position?

I put in a new battery this afternoon and the other one was 4 years old and its condition was not known. I tested the new battery and it was drawling .02 with the meter between the neg and then .17 while connected to the truck with both leads.

truckster · 02-14-2025, 10:11 PM

You can get new ignition locks - I think member LockDoc sells some.

There are people who have converted to a modern keyless start, but I can't see it being worth the effort. A board search would probably find some examples.

**Steeveedee** · 02-14-2025, 11:57 PM

.17 amp draw is pretty small. Do you have an aftermarket radio? Just get a new switch for the removal issue. What you experienced is quite common. However-

My wife's Kia Soul battery went dead and I took it up to the parts store. It was 4 or 5 years old, and truly dead. I took the new battery home and put it in, and checked for draw- found a 6 amp draw (inductive ammeter). I went to Kia, and the service manager let me check a few Souls. One was sitting there with a 10 amp draw! Turns out that after you shut them off, stuff is still going on, like capacitors for the air bags draining off current (though I would have thought that that current would be going back into the battery). So, if you have some sort of aftermarket thing like a radio or a clock, I can easily see .17 amps, since they need power to continue operation.

**57taskforce** · 02-15-2025, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

.17 amp draw is pretty small. Do you have an aftermarket radio? Just get a new switch for the removal issue. What you experienced is quite common. However-

My wife's Kia Soul battery went dead and I took it up to the parts store. It was 4 or 5 years old, and truly dead. I took the new battery home and put it in, and checked for draw- found a 6 amp draw (inductive ammeter). I went to Kia, and the service manager let me check a few Souls. One was sitting there with a 10 amp draw! Turns out that after you shut them off, stuff is still going on, like capacitors for the air bags draining off current (though I would have thought that that current would be going back into the battery). So, if you have some sort of aftermarket thing like a radio or a clock, I can easily see .17 amps, since they need power to continue operation.

On the new stuff You have to let it sit with the doors and everything open for a few minutes with your meter already in line between the negative cable and the battery. They take a bit for the modules to go to sleep, then the parasitic draw should drop below 30-50 miliamps.

franken · 02-16-2025, 01:33 AM

Just get a new ignition lock cylinder from the nearest parts store (!13-$16).

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHKS6491

02-14-2025, 09:11 PM	#1
IT Cowboy Active Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Clarkdale, Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 189	Is there way to modernize the key switch? Last evening my battery died and I think what happened is that I had turned the key to acc. and removed it. My key worn to where it almost looks like a blank. Is there a newer switch that would have a more positive click or engagement in each position? I put in a new battery this afternoon and the other one was 4 years old and its condition was not known. I tested the new battery and it was drawling .02 with the meter between the neg and then .17 while connected to the truck with both leads. __________________ '72 C10 / 402 ___________________________________________ Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

02-14-2025, 10:11 PM	#2
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,008	Re: Is there way to modernize the key switch? You can get new ignition locks - I think member LockDoc sells some. There are people who have converted to a modern keyless start, but I can't see it being worth the effort. A board search would probably find some examples. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

02-14-2025, 11:57 PM	#3
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,861	Re: Is there way to modernize the key switch? .17 amp draw is pretty small. Do you have an aftermarket radio? Just get a new switch for the removal issue. What you experienced is quite common. However- My wife's Kia Soul battery went dead and I took it up to the parts store. It was 4 or 5 years old, and truly dead. I took the new battery home and put it in, and checked for draw- found a 6 amp draw (inductive ammeter). I went to Kia, and the service manager let me check a few Souls. One was sitting there with a 10 amp draw! Turns out that after you shut them off, stuff is still going on, like capacitors for the air bags draining off current (though I would have thought that that current would be going back into the battery). So, if you have some sort of aftermarket thing like a radio or a clock, I can easily see .17 amps, since they need power to continue operation. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

02-16-2025, 01:33 AM	#5
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,136	Re: Is there way to modernize the key switch? Just get a new ignition lock cylinder from the nearest parts store (!13-$16). https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHKS6491



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