Ignition Key Switch Failure

[Hank F.]

I am in the Parking lot of a fabric store, playing the dutiful husband and a light goes off- why not install my new-used multi- function switch while I wait? I have all the tools in the trunk from the trip to U-Pull-It, so this'll be cake, right? Wrong. I was cruising right along when I decided to go ahead and take the ignition switch out and align the column shroud correctly. Well, when it came out, it came out in pieces. Many of them. Many many of them. No big deal- right? I can just use a screw driver to start and stop the car. Wrong again. Nothing will rotate at all, let alone what I want to turn. I have done this to other cars many times and never run into this problem. I'm not even sure that a new key lock cylinder will cure the problem. Knecht's has one for $44, which I thought a damn reasonable price. Anyone else run into these symptoms? Any advice and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Dave

 

[Hank F.]

This is weird, but answering my own post is what I'm doing. It turned out the plastic washer and metal clip that hold the gear that engages the starter and releases the wheel lock were both broken, and not allowing the gear to turn far enough to start the engine. Now I start it with the ignition switch with the gear mounted temporarily on the cylinder end. One weird looking key, but a new ignition cylinder at $44 did nothing, as it wasn't the problem. Now, how to pull the airbag so I can get inside the steering column?

 

[projectSHO89]

.. Now, how to pull the airbag so I can get inside the steering column?

Disconnect the battery and wait one minute.

Remove screws from rear of steering wheel that secure airbag to wheel.

Steve

 

[Racer X]

Would you need to remove the airbag to correct this though? You couldn't access the affected parts by just removing the coulmn shrouds top and bottom? Just curious if I ever have to deal with this...

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Depending on what you need to repair/replace, you don't always have to pull the airbag. The airbag is usually pulled to access the clockspring or the steering column shaft such as the bearings or bearing springs - not the lock cylinder or ignition switch lock actuator.

Some of the parts can be replaced by either dropping or pulling the steering column. What has to be pulled (airbag versus column) depends on exactly what part is broke.

I'm still not sure which parts are broken. It sounds like you are talking about the small green round plastic washer, that the end of the ignition lock cylinder passes through and the small round metal gear behind that, that engages the ignition switch actuator. Where is this metal clip you're talking about, and what does it look like? Did it fall out of the column after the igntion lock cylinder came out in pieces, or is in/inside the upper steering column housing that the lock cylinder goes into?

Is this a Gen I? Can you provide a picture or description of what the metal clip looks like?