IGNITION SWITCH for 81

[81SPIDERMATT]

ricambi site says for older car but just use pigtail off of my old switch ..is that hard to do?? ... IAP wants 120 for correct year replacement ... significantly more money than ricambi is asking ... cant be 40 bucks worth of frustration using the old pigtail I would think... looking for advice .... thanks... Matt

symptom ... switch is all of a sudden getting harder to turn .... at the rate it is progressing I will be breaking the key shortly .... have not done anything but worry ... could it be as simple as lube??

[spidernut]

I'd recommend installing new pigtails.

[kilrwail]

There's no reason you can't reuse the old pigtail - they don't wear out. It's easy to terminate it either with spade connectors or by soldering onto the new switch, which is what I did, for peace of mind.

[spidernut]

Mine have been damaged by overheating.

[81SPIDERMATT]

found this http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/switch/index.html (thanks dave) ... but to me it seems like my problem is with the key part of the switch ...like maybe a locksmith problem .... the function of the switch itself seems to be ok ... meaning all things light up and start and such ... just hard to turn the key ... key is starting to get a little curve to it and seems like it wants to bend or twist if I don't take it slow

[81SPIDERMATT]

gonna get some lubricant... type???? .... and i have a set of key blanks... find my local locksmith and get a new key made and see if that cures my problem .... if not looks like ricambi is gonna get some of my florida vacation money ....

[focodave]

Matt,
I'll bet the key is getting worn and not locating the tumblers properly, making it hard to turn the key.
I would definitely try a new key, but if you use the original key as a template to cut the new key -- you would have the same problem with the tumblers because you would potentially still be duplicating the worn key pattern on the new key.
Dave

[81SPIDERMATT]

Matt,
I'll bet the key is getting worn and not locating the tumblers properly, making it hard to turn the key.
I would definitely try a new key, but if you use the original key as a template to cut the new key -- you would have the same problem with the tumblers because you would potentially still be duplicating the worn key pattern on the new key.
Dave

agreed about using old key ... just talked to the local locksmith ... he said most likely the key itself is the problem and he has specs on the spider.... when he has key and car in hand he will be able to pull up factory specs on the key and build a new one that should work .. and he will lubricate also the lock cylinder .. kids all day today so tomorrow 9 am .... we shall see .... thanks everyone ... Matt

[divace73]

I had keys reproduced from my original key which had the number on it (which I no longer use and is in a safe place)
All is did is send these folks http://www.keys4classics.com/html/Fiat124Sp.html a picture with a ruler beside my key along with the number and they sent the 2 keys I ordered and were spot on.
I know they are all the way down under but I can't recommend them highly enough, I had mine done many many years ago and they are still great.

[81SPIDERMATT]

all is good .... it has never been this easy to turn my key and start the car ..he had a good chuckle when he saw my old key ... wrong wrong wrong he said and threw it in the trash ... never even used it to make the new key ..a thick book with the computer as backup and a code was used to make the new keys .. dielectric spray lubricant was also used ... he spent a good 30 minutes checking and doing little tweaks on the keys ( I thought that the first cut was awesome) it just got smoother and smoother every tweak... did the same for my trunk lock and key ..2 ignition keys..2 trunk keys .. and change back from a 20 dollar bill .... very happy

[focodave]

Awesome Matt!
That's great news.
Beats buying a new ignition switch, by a long shot.
So I am guessing you'll be locking and unlocking everything numerous (many, many) times for the next several days.