how to replace the ignition switch

[RedDog]

Please bear with me here, since I am not a mechanic. We have a 75, and when hubby tried to start the car this weekend, it wouldn't start until he moved the shifter a little. We made an appointment with the mechanic to figure this out. Yesterday, he went out to start it, and nothing-now the ignition switch (where the key goes) is turning freely-not starting the car at all. We live miles from town, and our mechanic isn't interested in making the drive out here, and we aren't interested in hiring a wrecker to take it to town. Since hubby's sight isn't the best, that leaves, well, me, whose only mechanical experience is doing brake jobs on our truck when we were young and poor, and taking the boat motor apart now and then-with mixed results. My main question is how difficult this is--should I attempt it or am I asking for trouble? Is there a place online that would give directions-maybe pictures-Chilton certainly wasn't any help.
I love this forum-I read it all the time but never had the nerve to post before. I appreciate your help.

 

[Drstitt]

Yes...I just replaced an ignition switch on a 1980 Vette. You need to start by obviously disconnecting the battery. Then, at the bottom of the dashboard on the drivers side there should be a removable piece of the dashboard (held in by some screws). Remove this. Now, you will probably have to drop the steering column to get to the switch (located on top of the steering column about halfway down to the firewall. There should be two large bolts holding the upper end of the steering column up, near where the piece of dashboard you removed was. Take these screws out. I didn't have any trouble with the column falling. It seems to support itself quite well, but doing all this allows you to get more room to work with. Now, you may have to remove the two mounting screws for the column way down on the firewall (from inside the car).

Once you do all this, you should be able to see the switch. You will need some pretty small sockets to get at it. There are two nuts holding it to the column. Take these out and the rod should come out pretty easily. If the headlight dimmer switch (high/ low beam) is located on the column, when you take one of the bolts out you will be removing this also. (they are held on by the same bolt). There are two wiring harnesses that go into the switch. Before you put them into the new switch, there is a slider bar on the switch that you should adjust to the proper position with a screwdriver. Match it to the position of the old one. Then put the harnesses on the new one and put the rod in, and mount it. If you need any more help, just post another entry on the forum and maybe I will see it and can help more. Good luck!

P.S. The problem may also be a neutral safety switch.

 

[OldSchool]

Yesterday, he went out to start it, and nothing-now the ignition switch (where the key goes) is turning freely-not starting the car at all. .

That sounds like the lock cylinder or rack is broken inside..You can easily take apart the top of the column to remove the lock cylinder. A little tricky, but really not too hard..
Go to corvettefaq.com and check out the steering page. There are numerous exploded diagrams and troubleshooting advice from a guy who worked for Saginaw, the makers of these C3 columns.. His name is Jim Sloan, and he is also available via Email if you read his papers, his address is in there.. Good luck :bang :bang