This is stupid I need help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Machinist1972 · 07-20-2008, 11:19 PM

Of all the things on my truck I've taken apart there is one thing that has me stumped, how the heck do I remove the damn ignition switch from the dash, for some reason I can't seem to remove it. Any help would be great I feel like an idiot.

bad6772 · 07-20-2008, 11:25 PM

just need a paper clip .Put it in the little hole....and you should feel it release.....Then the Outer Ring just unscrew from there..I cant do it....lol i got to have the wife do mine......She has been drug to more Junkyards for lil thing like that ...

**El Jay** · 07-20-2008, 11:28 PM

I'm sorry ,Dude.........
1st off, nothing around here is stupid.
We all have our limitations!

Put the key in the ignition switch and turn it back to ACC.
Stick a straightened paper clip, or some other such device in the little hole and kinda wiggle things around.
The ignition lock will kinda pop free and then every thing thing else will be set to remove.

I'm sorry I can't be more technical, but I are a redneck.

Machinist1972 · 07-20-2008, 11:55 PM

I've tried everything I think I will just cut it out thats all I can do.

Sammy · 07-21-2008, 12:00 AM

I have seen them get really stubborn. The grease or lithum stuff they used gets old, crusty and makes them real difficult. I too have had to cut one before. But I think if you used patience with the clip & key & wiggle the darn thing long enough you may have sucess.

Longhorn Man · 07-21-2008, 12:10 AM

put key in switch
turn counter clockwise to the ACC position
put paperclip or something in the small hole, I prefer an allen wrench
press in on the clip/allen onto the spring loaded plate. you'll feel it.
Continue turning counter clockwise, and pull on the key.
If you are lucky, it'll pop out the first time.
Most likely, you'll have to jiggle it and cuss, and hold your tounge just right.

CG · 07-21-2008, 12:40 AM

Maybe you arent understanding what hole they are talking about? This is the only pic I could find quickly. This is on my 67. The key is turned wrong way in the pic, but hopefully you can see the hole we are talking about. Sometimes people try to put the straightened paper clip in the hole on the side of the switch behind the dash....Good Luck.

stllookn · 07-21-2008, 02:46 AM

Also spray some PB Bustem in there to make sure it loosens up. Some of them are really tough to get by they eventually loosen up. Most times the key will come out before the barrel...but keep trying. Like Longhorn Man says..."you have to hold your tongue just right"...LOL!

**lks dcvn** · 07-21-2008, 08:58 AM

no need to cut the dash or the switch to get it out - it is just like using a manual transmission - finding the right time to release pressure on the clutch and hit the gas...

The push on the paper clip and the counter-clockwise turn can be a struggle...

If you really want to get it out and you will be replacing the switch/cylinder anyway - just pry the small piece of metal off the front of the key cylinder (that is the only thing that holds the switch in the dash) then unscrew the dash nut that holds it on...

Replace the switch and cylinder with a new one and you are good to go.

d10s69c10 · 07-21-2008, 11:13 AM

Well in my Case i had "misplaced my key" years earlier so i just took a 5/8" drill bit about 1" in and the internals basicly fell apart and i was able to just pop my new Ignition in.

Machinist1972 · 07-21-2008, 10:23 PM

Thanks for all your help, that was a real test of my patience but got it out.

07-20-2008, 11:19 PM	#1
Machinist1972 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Langley B.C. Posts: 38	This is stupid I need help Of all the things on my truck I've taken apart there is one thing that has me stumped, how the heck do I remove the damn ignition switch from the dash, for some reason I can't seem to remove it. Any help would be great I feel like an idiot.

07-20-2008, 11:25 PM	#2
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: This is stupid I need help just need a paper clip .Put it in the little hole....and you should feel it release.....Then the Outer Ring just unscrew from there..I cant do it....lol i got to have the wife do mine......She has been drug to more Junkyards for lil thing like that ...

07-20-2008, 11:28 PM	#3
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: This is stupid I need help I'm sorry ,Dude......... 1st off, nothing around here is stupid. We all have our limitations! Put the key in the ignition switch and turn it back to ACC. Stick a straightened paper clip, or some other such device in the little hole and kinda wiggle things around. The ignition lock will kinda pop free and then every thing thing else will be set to remove. I'm sorry I can't be more technical, but I are a redneck. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

07-20-2008, 11:55 PM	#4
Machinist1972 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Langley B.C. Posts: 38	Re: This is stupid I need help I've tried everything I think I will just cut it out thats all I can do.

07-21-2008, 12:00 AM	#5
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: This is stupid I need help I have seen them get really stubborn. The grease or lithum stuff they used gets old, crusty and makes them real difficult. I too have had to cut one before. But I think if you used patience with the clip & key & wiggle the darn thing long enough you may have sucess. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

07-21-2008, 12:10 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: This is stupid I need help put key in switch turn counter clockwise to the ACC position put paperclip or something in the small hole, I prefer an allen wrench press in on the clip/allen onto the spring loaded plate. you'll feel it. Continue turning counter clockwise, and pull on the key. If you are lucky, it'll pop out the first time. Most likely, you'll have to jiggle it and cuss, and hold your tounge just right.

07-21-2008, 12:40 AM	#7
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,992	Re: This is stupid I need help Maybe you arent understanding what hole they are talking about? This is the only pic I could find quickly. This is on my 67. The key is turned wrong way in the pic, but hopefully you can see the hole we are talking about. Sometimes people try to put the straightened paper clip in the hole on the side of the switch behind the dash....Good Luck. Attached Images Last edited by CG; 07-21-2008 at 02:29 PM.

07-21-2008, 02:46 AM	#8
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: This is stupid I need help Also spray some PB Bustem in there to make sure it loosens up. Some of them are really tough to get by they eventually loosen up. Most times the key will come out before the barrel...but keep trying. Like Longhorn Man says..."you have to hold your tongue just right"...LOL! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

07-21-2008, 08:58 AM	#9
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,346	Re: This is stupid I need help no need to cut the dash or the switch to get it out - it is just like using a manual transmission - finding the right time to release pressure on the clutch and hit the gas... The push on the paper clip and the counter-clockwise turn can be a struggle... If you really want to get it out and you will be replacing the switch/cylinder anyway - just pry the small piece of metal off the front of the key cylinder (that is the only thing that holds the switch in the dash) then unscrew the dash nut that holds it on... Replace the switch and cylinder with a new one and you are good to go.

07-21-2008, 11:13 AM	#10
d10s69c10 Built 4 Speed Join Date: May 2008 Location: Geneva FL Posts: 619	Re: This is stupid I need help Well in my Case i had "misplaced my key" years earlier so i just took a 5/8" drill bit about 1" in and the internals basicly fell apart and i was able to just pop my new Ignition in. __________________ 1969 C/10 Short Box: 496/T-56 in worx. "To Be Old And Wise, First You Must Be Young And Stupid"

07-21-2008, 10:23 PM	#11
Machinist1972 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Langley B.C. Posts: 38	Re: This is stupid I need help Thanks for all your help, that was a real test of my patience but got it out.



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