Ignition Switch

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katsi

Ignition Switch

Post by katsi »

Anyone have any luck on replacing the ignition switch with and aftermarket one? Trying to bring the cost down as I believe I fried mine. :shock:
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by narfire »

Take a look as to who is parting out cars. I don't think there is anything wrong about a used one, so long as it comes with keys. I have to get one for my 72.
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
paook

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by paook »

Fried your new one already?
Gunsmith

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by Gunsmith »

I went through 3 after market ignitions before I found a used one that works. The after market ones suck, bite, stink and aren't very good.
katsi

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by katsi »

I thought I fried it but, I figured out what was wrong. Yet, my ignition is not stock or even close to it. It kinda looks like Frankenstein with bolts holding it on and some crappy metal for a mount. Just wanted to get it back to stock and loose the ugleyness of it all.
mbouse

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by mbouse »

restoring to factory original is always a good idea when dealing with previous owner's goof up with electricals

seek out a good original switch from a parts car.
radiopilot

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by radiopilot »

Why not restore the original switch, it's quite easy to do, I've done it with both cars, cleaned and lubed the contacts, and it's works great. Not much in taking these switches apart and putting it together. Better than the junk that's being sold these days. :roll:

Nick
amsiegel

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by amsiegel »

Katsi

Find a used switch. My after market switch just died the same way yours did. The aftermarket one was a pain to get out. The plate above the spring you have to push down was shifted and would not allow the assembly to come out.

If I am not mistaken there is a way to your key housing on another assembly. I will take some photos tonight or Friday to show you what I mean.
amsiegel

Re: Ignition Switch

Post by amsiegel »

Katsi,

Below is a photo of my old aftermarket switch with the top cover removed. The probe is pointing to a pin that holds the key cylinder (part with blue circle) to the rest of the assembly. If you find an old switch and the pin is in the same location there should be no problem to drill out the pin and remove the key cylinder and place it in your replacment switch.

This is only a guess on my part. I did not compare the aftermarket switch to the replacment switch beofre I installed it. My replacement switch came with a key so I did not have to try and do the swap. My original switch was missing the pin and once in awhile the key cylinder would fall out. I snipped the top of a pop rivit and stuck it in the hole and it stayed.

Image
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