Ignition Key Switch Gummy

[AIRBUS]

I've got the steering wheel off for replacement and my instrument cluster out for tach repair.

I would like to fix the key switch as it's really sluggish and the "remove key" button doesn't even work anymore.

Looking at Helms' illustration, the column is intimidating to me - 1990 convertible - no telescopic, tilt only.

This car has the "new" style cockpit so there are virtully no similarities between it and the '89 & earlier cars.

Has anyone done this repair before?

 

[Vettefan87]

to the top...

 

[AIRBUS]

Anybody...?

 

[jmccloud]

Gummy ignition key switch

First, be careful of the airbag if you have one. There's probably a yellow, two wire connector at the bottom of the steering column that leads to the airbag; disconnect it. But to be sure, also disconnect the battery and wait 10 minutes.
There are several 'brake clean' products that are intended for cleaning brake surfaces. The good ones are perchlorethylene (dry cleaning fluid) and the container informs the user that using the product other than for the intended and instructed use are a violation of federal law (so be warned). But it's the best degreaser that you can get your hands on. I cleaned my ignition with a set of foam ear plugs soaked in the brake clean. Don't use an ear swab (Q-tip) as the lint or hairs can jam up the tumblers. Also, don't stuff the ear plug in too deep or it may break off. Also, try the brake clean on the ear plugs and wait a little to make sure the ear plug doesn't dissolve.
I had to do the cleaning job because my ignition wouldn't release the key (it was stuck). After spraying graphite into the key slot, the key went in and out very nicely but the VATS resistor in the key appeared to have the wrong value since the key slot was filled with zero resistance graphite.
So the message is, don't spray graphite into the ignition but cleaning with 'brake clean' worked well after the graphite spray job.
Hope this helps.

 

[AIRBUS]

Thanks - I'll try it.

 

[John '85]

My problem is, after the engine lights off, the key sticks in the 'start' position, it wont automatically 'snap back'. this only happens occasionally. any ideas that do not require taking the column apart? [1985 C4]