ignition switch sticks in start position

[70 shorty]

Over the last month or so, on my 70, my ignition switch has taken to getting stuck in the start position when I start my truck. So, it doesn't spring back to run. I've had to manually turn it back to the run position. Is this a lock cylinder problem, as in take the lock cylinder out, throw something like PB Blaster on it, and it will likely be fixed, or do I need a new ignition switch?

[badpeanut]

Mine started doing this in the winter cold. I ended up replacing the ignition switch (not the lock cylinder) to resolve it. My local Napa was able to get one the next business day.

[LockDoc]

-
It could be either one. I would try squirting a little penetrating oil into the key hole and see what that does. Don't get carried away with it. If that doesn't help I would do like Peanut said and replace the switch.

LockDoc

[Jim Boy]

Not to steal your thread but when I was 15 I worked part time in a service station. The guy across the street owned a beautiful 57 Chev hardtop. He had a problem with the car cutting out at different times so there was no common denominator. The so called mechanics at the station had replaced almost everything in the car that was electrical but didn't solve the problem. He was a nice man but really frustrated. One Sunday I was doing a lube and oil change on his car and had it up in the air checking for oil leaks. When the car was coming down, the drivers door was open and I just happened to be looking at the ignition switch when it clicked off run and the car quit running. I thought the guy was going to kiss me, he was so happy. All he kept saying was, the kid found the problem. I was floating for a few days after that. That was 65 years ago, amazing how you pull things out of the brain storage room.

[72SB]

IMHO use graphite for lock lube.

Mine did same thing and it turned out to be switch which I put my existing lock cyl. in. Got it at rockauto, AC Delco

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 72SB

IMHO use graphite for lock lube.

Mine did same thing and it turned out to be switch which I put my existing lock cyl. in. Got it at rockauto, AC Delco

Take my word for it, graphite is about the worst thing you can use on automotive locks. Use a spray with Teflon or something equivalent.

LockDoc

[72SB]

Thanks LocDoc....didn't know the Lock-Ease can I have is not good for automotive locks. It has worked well for me on household locks.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 72SB

Thanks LocDoc....didn't know the Lock-Ease can I have is not good for automotive locks. It has worked well for me on household locks.

I have worked on auto locks that had so much graphite buildup in them the the key wouldn't even go in all the way. If you use graphite and the inside of the lock gets wet the graphite turns into a gummy mess.

If anyone does use graphite in any of their locks be sure and flush the old graphite out good before re-applying it..... The problem with flushing graphite out of a lock is that it gets all over everything.

LockDoc