Need your help guys, changing ignition switch in '72 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kurts72 · 04-21-2002, 07:00 PM

My '72 truck is dead because of a bad ignition switch. I bought a new switch and am going to use the existing cylinder. Problem is I can't figure out how to remove it from the dash! I have turned the 3 prong retainer screw as much as I can and it is very loose, but I still can't get it out of the dash. What do I need to do?? Frustration is high! Is there some trick? Thanks for your help!!

**Tim Christian** · 04-21-2002, 07:31 PM

Have you removed the key switch if not they are a small hole in it. Insert a small allen wrench or paper clip in the hole and turn the key counter clockwise and it will pull out and the ring should come all the way off.

------------------
67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
67 GMC Custom
67 Chevy C-30

[This message has been edited by Tim Christian (edited April 21, 2002).]

kurts72 · 04-21-2002, 07:57 PM

OK, I tried it with no success yet. I can push something in and depress the cylinder through the hole, but the key doesn't seem to want to turn to pull the cylinder out. I sprayed some penetrating oil up in the hole and in where the key goes. Maybe, some lube will help. I'll try it again in an hour. I hope I don't have to saw this thing in half to get it out. Thanks, Kurt

kurts72 · 04-21-2002, 08:40 PM

Can't get it. Let's start from the beginning. Do I insert the clip before I unloosen the retaining ring or after? I have inserted it both ways and the key will not turn counter clockwise. Do you mean clockwise to the "start" mode? Does the cylinder pull out from the front or do I pull on the switch from the rear as I rotate the key? I need to use this truck Wednesday and I need to get it running. THANKS

HEAVY CHEVY · 04-21-2002, 09:17 PM

kurt72,
#1keep ignition together in hole(works better this way)
#2insert your keys & a small paper clip in hole beside your keys(not the same hole as your keys)
#3turn keys counter clockwise if it will not move try jiggling your keys back &forth
they should fall out with cylinder then remove your chrome ring & unplug it

kurts72 · 04-22-2002, 07:00 AM

Hi, I was using the hole under the dash in the switch and not the hole in the front. I did try it this morning but my clip was to wimpy. I will pick up a slightly stronger clip today and try it tonight. Thanks!

kurts72 · 04-22-2002, 05:59 PM

Stuck in the larger paper clip in the front hole and I got the cylinder out. Thanks a lot for the information!! Kurt

HEAVY CHEVY · 04-22-2002, 08:23 PM

Glad it worked for you man.

Dandeluxe · 04-22-2002, 08:45 PM

try a small allen wrench it works the best.

------------------
1969 cst swb 350/400 th DANNY C. ddclux@aol.com st. louis mo.
for pic.s go to http://community.webshots.com/user/dandeluxeGO TO Fotki. com for public pic.s under DANDELUXE
I started out with nothing and i held on to it

04-21-2002, 08:40 PM	#4
kurts72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Durand, IL Posts: 98	Can't get it. Let's start from the beginning. Do I insert the clip before I unloosen the retaining ring or after? I have inserted it both ways and the key will not turn counter clockwise. Do you mean clockwise to the "start" mode? Does the cylinder pull out from the front or do I pull on the switch from the rear as I rotate the key? I need to use this truck Wednesday and I need to get it running. THANKS __________________ Kurt in Durand, IL

04-21-2002, 09:17 PM	#5
HEAVY CHEVY BOWTIE FOREVER Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sanford,N.C. 23770 Posts: 273	kurt72, #1keep ignition together in hole(works better this way) #2insert your keys & a small paper clip in hole beside your keys(not the same hole as your keys) #3turn keys counter clockwise if it will not move try jiggling your keys back &forth they should fall out with cylinder then remove your chrome ring & unplug it __________________ 69 C-10 SHORT FLEET BED 350 4-BOLT/400 turbo upper & lower molding 65 IMPALA 2-DR 283/POWERGLIDE 66 IMPALA 2-DR hopefully 283/350 ~ CAMELTOE ROCKS ~

04-22-2002, 07:00 AM	#6
kurts72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Durand, IL Posts: 98	Hi, I was using the hole under the dash in the switch and not the hole in the front. I did try it this morning but my clip was to wimpy. I will pick up a slightly stronger clip today and try it tonight. Thanks! __________________ Kurt in Durand, IL

04-22-2002, 05:59 PM	#7
kurts72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Durand, IL Posts: 98	Stuck in the larger paper clip in the front hole and I got the cylinder out. Thanks a lot for the information!! Kurt __________________ Kurt in Durand, IL

04-22-2002, 08:23 PM	#8
HEAVY CHEVY BOWTIE FOREVER Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sanford,N.C. 23770 Posts: 273	Glad it worked for you man. __________________ 69 C-10 SHORT FLEET BED 350 4-BOLT/400 turbo upper & lower molding 65 IMPALA 2-DR 283/POWERGLIDE 66 IMPALA 2-DR hopefully 283/350 ~ CAMELTOE ROCKS ~

04-21-2002, 07:00 PM	#1
kurts72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Durand, IL Posts: 98	Need your help guys, changing ignition switch in '72 My '72 truck is dead because of a bad ignition switch. I bought a new switch and am going to use the existing cylinder. Problem is I can't figure out how to remove it from the dash! I have turned the 3 prong retainer screw as much as I can and it is very loose, but I still can't get it out of the dash. What do I need to do?? Frustration is high! Is there some trick? Thanks for your help!! __________________ Kurt in Durand, IL

04-21-2002, 07:31 PM	#2
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Have you removed the key switch if not they are a small hole in it. Insert a small allen wrench or paper clip in the hole and turn the key counter clockwise and it will pull out and the ring should come all the way off. ------------------ 67 GMC Stepside(UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 67 GMC Custom 67 Chevy C-30 [This message has been edited by Tim Christian (edited April 21, 2002).]

04-21-2002, 07:57 PM	#3
kurts72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Durand, IL Posts: 98	OK, I tried it with no success yet. I can push something in and depress the cylinder through the hole, but the key doesn't seem to want to turn to pull the cylinder out. I sprayed some penetrating oil up in the hole and in where the key goes. Maybe, some lube will help. I'll try it again in an hour. I hope I don't have to saw this thing in half to get it out. Thanks, Kurt __________________ Kurt in Durand, IL

04-22-2002, 08:45 PM	#9
Dandeluxe Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: st.louis mo. Posts: 717	try a small allen wrench it works the best. ------------------ 1969 cst swb 350/400 th DANNY C. ddclux@aol.com st. louis mo. for pic.s go to http://community.webshots.com/user/dandeluxeGO TO Fotki. com for public pic.s under DANDELUXE I started out with nothing and i held on to it __________________ 1969 cst swb 350/400 th . DANNY C . ["]FRIENDS DONT LET FRIENDS DRIVE F@RD$!! 1969 cst swb corvette hugger orange with 400 hp sbc I started out with nothing and i held on to it

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