ingition switch installation - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71-longbed · 06-16-2004, 03:53 AM

my switch has been acting up on me ... it continues to engage the starter even after the engine has started ... big pain .. beuase i have to get out and pull the neg, battery cable to get the cranking to stop .. anyone ever had anyting similar happen to them???

whats involved with replacing the ignition switch??? a step by step would be amazing .. i know someones done this recently

thanks a million

mindhive · 06-16-2004, 04:38 AM

I think your starter solenoid may be sticking not your ignition switch. It is located on the top of the starter. I think you can buy a replacement but you might as well replace the whole starter while you are in there. But to answer your question anyways.

1. Reach behind the dash and pull the wiring harness connector off the back of the switch there are two or three little plastic arms holding it on there.

2 You will see on the face of your switch where the key goes in there is a little hole. I think you put the key in the accessory or run position then stick a paper clip in the hole. The cylinder will then come out (you may have to turn the key or wiggle it some)

3. Unscrew the bezel and the switch housingfrom each other. You can"t turn the switch I don't think, so you will have to carefully use a flat screwdriver or something similiar to unscrew the bezel from the front.

4. Install your new switch in the reverse order. If you don't care to keep your old key and if your ignition switch came with a lock cylinder & new key put the new stuff in during reassembly. You will now have a key for the doors and a key for the ignition.

Tim

71-longbed · 06-17-2004, 01:15 PM

im having trouble.. the lock cyclinder is out .... i can't get the bezel off .... or the plug in the back .... i need 4 hands to make it work ...any tips ..... NEED HELP ASAP

**CPNE** · 06-17-2004, 01:45 PM

The harness plug is held in by to plastic "J" shaped clips that seat into the switch housing. I usually take a small flat screwdriver to compress one side of the j-clip thingy and tug on wires from behind to get that side started. Then switch to other side and do same, taking care not to push the side you've already partially freed back into "locked" position.

Eventually, the entire harness plug will separate from the housing.

Alex Hayley · 06-17-2004, 01:49 PM

Regarding the bezel...it should come off with the lock cylinder removed. Is the bezel turning on the ignition cylinder housing? If so, perhaps the threads are damaged.

71-longbed · 06-17-2004, 02:37 PM

I got it ...... now i know how those things fit in there

everything out and back in !!!! truck fired right up ....

06-16-2004, 03:53 AM	#1
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	ingition switch installation my switch has been acting up on me ... it continues to engage the starter even after the engine has started ... big pain .. beuase i have to get out and pull the neg, battery cable to get the cranking to stop .. anyone ever had anyting similar happen to them??? whats involved with replacing the ignition switch??? a step by step would be amazing .. i know someones done this recently thanks a million __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

06-17-2004, 01:15 PM	#3
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	im having trouble.. the lock cyclinder is out .... i can't get the bezel off .... or the plug in the back .... i need 4 hands to make it work ...any tips ..... NEED HELP ASAP __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

06-17-2004, 01:45 PM	#4
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	The harness plug is held in by to plastic "J" shaped clips that seat into the switch housing. I usually take a small flat screwdriver to compress one side of the j-clip thingy and tug on wires from behind to get that side started. Then switch to other side and do same, taking care not to push the side you've already partially freed back into "locked" position. Eventually, the entire harness plug will separate from the housing. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-17-2004, 02:37 PM	#6
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	I got it ...... now i know how those things fit in there everything out and back in !!!! truck fired right up .... __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

06-16-2004, 04:38 AM	#2
mindhive Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mountain Home ID Posts: 85	I think your starter solenoid may be sticking not your ignition switch. It is located on the top of the starter. I think you can buy a replacement but you might as well replace the whole starter while you are in there. But to answer your question anyways. 1. Reach behind the dash and pull the wiring harness connector off the back of the switch there are two or three little plastic arms holding it on there. 2 You will see on the face of your switch where the key goes in there is a little hole. I think you put the key in the accessory or run position then stick a paper clip in the hole. The cylinder will then come out (you may have to turn the key or wiggle it some) 3. Unscrew the bezel and the switch housingfrom each other. You can"t turn the switch I don't think, so you will have to carefully use a flat screwdriver or something similiar to unscrew the bezel from the front. 4. Install your new switch in the reverse order. If you don't care to keep your old key and if your ignition switch came with a lock cylinder & new key put the new stuff in during reassembly. You will now have a key for the doors and a key for the ignition. Tim

06-17-2004, 01:49 PM	#5
Alex Hayley Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NC Posts: 987	Regarding the bezel...it should come off with the lock cylinder removed. Is the bezel turning on the ignition cylinder housing? If so, perhaps the threads are damaged.



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