ignition switch in dash

[Stitch]

I need to know how to replace the ignition switch inside the dash that sits on top of the column...I fried it and the connector is a little melted also...I am NOT talking about the ignition switch that the key goes into...I'm talking about the electrical part that's in the dash...I already have the dash apart and the column dropped, but don't see how to remove it...I borrowed a pic from a for sale ad on the forum...I hope the guy doesn't mind I used it...

I also need to know where the fuseable links are at in the truck...I have no power to the truck...no headlights, domelight, nothing at all...thanks guys

Chuck

[54Caddy]

hahaha damn i fried a fuseable link a few weeks ago too. what year is your truck man?? and the ignition switch on my column has two bolts on the left hand side of it you remove those two then gently pull up don't pull hard because you may break the rod in the column. Mine is broken and it sucks believe me.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

hahaha damn i fried a fuseable link a few weeks ago too. what year is your truck man?? and the ignition switch on my column has two bolts on the left hand side of it you remove those two then gently pull up don't pull hard because you may break the rod in the column. Mine is broken and it sucks believe me.

cool man thanks for the tip on the switch...I just thought those went to the high beam switch...

and my trucks an 84...I have dual batteries because it's a diesel if that matters...

[54Caddy]

haha high beam switch had fun doing one of those yesterday on a cutlass supreme. damn idiots threaded in the wrong size bolt was hell. but besides that. well mine is a 79 they might be different under the hood i have an original gm manual for my 79 and in the electrical part of it it told me where the fuseable links where. the one i had problems with was on the junction block on the fire wall. If you look in this build picture you will see it on the left hand side of the booster. your truck most likely is different being its a 84 and diesel. do you know how to check them??

[Stitch]

I have that junction block I think...and no I don't know how to check them

[54Caddy]

the way i check mine is i grab them and bend them. if they are soft and very flexible then they are usually bad. they will feel jello like. you always want to replace them with the same gauge size because the fuseable link is protecting circuits that don't have fuses to them. they are always a smaller size gauge wire then what is ran to them. do you know what the stock ones look like??

[Stitch]

not really....btw, you've been a great help to me and I really appreciate that...

[54Caddy]

no problem man just a bored 18 year old cat that knows a thing or two. the one on my truck that killed all my power had the alternator and starter wires going to it. the link will have a big round black piece to it. There is two wires running too it and one out after the black connector, the piece after the connecter is the fuseable link. you will have to cut the link off at the two wires just before the connector starts and but you in a new one with a butt connector and you should be good. wish i had a picture of what im talking about you'll see what i meen once you climb under you hood. i can try and get you a picture of how i redid mine.

[spinem]

fuseable links are just retarded. Why make a thing that will fry (like a big fuse) and have to be replaced /w/ an hr of work when you coulda just put in a fuse in the first place???!!!
No crawling under the truck, no bolts and wrenches and trips to the local pep-boys where they will sell you a china cheap metric product that doesn't even work.

I removed all fuseable links and replaced with new blade type fuses.

[spinem]

Diagrams may differ from your year, but should help a little.

good luck!

[Stitch]

thanks man...I think the diagrams will help, but I don't see any fuseable links on them....

also, on a side note, I just went to the watchdog site in your sig...that's an awesome site...I'm going to be putting that link in my sig also...there aren't any sex offenders close to our house out here in the country, but there's one right in my mom and dad's neighborhood...I sent my dad an email with the guys info and all...

[54Caddy]

your last diagram could be bad. no fuse at all. the fuseable link is there so that it will burn out instead of the whole circuit or wire burning. and personally im the type that likes to leave my stuff appearing stock so i still run the fuseable links and not an in line fuse type.

[54Caddy]

fat hoe go down and get you a chiltons i guarantee you it will be well worth it. im going to try and get you a picture right now see if it works out

[Stitch]

10-4 on the chilton's...have been meaning to get one...

[spinem]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

fat hoe go down and get you a chiltons i guarantee you it will be well worth it. im going to try and get you a picture right now see if it works out

LMAO!!! fat hoe

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

your last diagram could be bad. no fuse at all. the fuseable link is there so that it will burn out instead of the whole circuit or wire burning. and personally im the type that likes to leave my stuff appearing stock so i still run the fuseable links and not an in line fuse type.

true, and it could be bad, i didnt make it.

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

thanks man...I think the diagrams will help, but I don't see any fuseable links on them....

also, on a side note, I just went to the watchdog site in your sig...that's an awesome site...I'm going to be putting that link in my sig also...there aren't any sex offenders close to our house out here in the country, but there's one right in my mom and dad's neighborhood...I sent my dad an email with the guys info and all...

no, there is no fuseable links shown......
The only one that i can remember off hand is the one off the starter, its quite obvious. But other than that idk, the age difference and yours being diesel... prob. totally different. sorry i couldnt be more help!

also, yes.... that website is AMAZING. glad it kept you entertained/informed!!!!

[54Caddy]

hahah its just his name right fat hoe?? ahaha well anyways i got some pictures for you let me upload them on photobucket and give you some more details. laptop is acting dumb ill try this tomorrow if you dont have it figured out by then well see if i can get it on here tonite for you.

[Stitch]

sooo....a little update...went out to the truck tonight to get something out of it and the dome light came on surprisingly...but it was very dim...so what I think happened is the ignition switch/module whatever you want to call it is shorted or something inside and drained the battery down...yesterday when I went into the truck there was no juice to anything, didn't put a voltmeter on the battery so I assumed it was a fusible link...yesterday I disconnected the ignition switch/module and today I have some juice again...

do yall think my batteries are shot...there's two of them and they're big because of the diesel so they are $$$...

[54Caddy]

haha this is the same thing my fuseable link did i had no power one night then the next i turned the dome lights on and it was very dim then died out. You have the same symptoms as my truck had it has to be that link you better check it out man.

[spinem]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

haha this is the same thing my fuseable link did i had no power one night then the next i turned the dome lights on and it was very dim then died out. You have the same symptoms as my truck had it has to be that link you better check it out man.

most likely this, i mean if you "been there done that"...

if u want, u can pop the cell caps on the battery's and check the water level.
If ones "dry" or low, you can fill appropriately with DISTILLED water.

always play it safe and keep a box of baking soda handy just incase you get burned . (neutralizes acids)