Ignition Switch Replacement

[mmtphoto]

is it a big deal? I have done them before on older cars (don't laugh, a 20 year old car is not 'older' to me)-

I replaced the starter because it occasionally did not crank when I turned the key to start-it would do nothing, then if would finally crank-starter (original) was a PITA to do, but it seemed to work-until today, did the SAME THING.

So, it has to be either the relay or the switch, since it WILL start, you just have to turn it a few times to get it to crank...I know, the grouchy ones on here will comment about throwing parts at a problem-I have checked out the wiring and see no problems, used a meter to check for breaks, it just seems to be intermittent-

it's an 88 Daytona Shelby Z, 2.2 intercooled, 76,000, owned since new and in nice condition for a 20 year old car. I have to figure that a ignition switch is a dealer item, right? I am buying a starter relay (Mopar, $53, in tomorrow) I figure, what the heck-I got 20 years out of the old one...

is the switch hard to do? Thanks.

[Screamin4banger]

no, should be easy. unplug the connector, undo a couple screws, put the new one in, and plug the connector back in. I dont think its gonna solve your problem though... check for a bent actuator that goes between the ignition lock cylinder and the ignition switch.

edit - now that i think about it... i think you can loosen the screws and slide the switch a little closer up. 20 years of being pushed with an actuator may have slid the switch a little.

[mmtphoto]

that's all greek to me now, but I am sure after I put the relay in tomorrow and it still does it i'll remove the switch and see what you're talking about-can it be straightened or do I replace this bent actuator? thanks for the reply, if it's not grunt work, I have to go slower...

[Screamin4banger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmtphoto that's all greek to me now, but I am sure after I put the relay in tomorrow and it still does it i'll remove the switch and see what you're talking about-can it be straightened or do I replace this bent actuator? thanks for the reply, if it's not grunt work, I have to go slower...

Just look under the column and see where the wires go... That's the switch.
The thing you put the key into is not the switch - thats the lock cylinder.
It will make sense if you have to deal with it when you look at it.

[mmtphoto]

I'll think positive and think the relay will cure it, then if it doesn't I'll take the cylinder/lock/switch apart and figure it out-been there and done that, if it is basically cake, no biggie-just looking for clues, thanks

[allmotor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmtphoto I'll think positive and think the relay will cure it, then if it doesn't I'll take the cylinder/lock/switch apart and figure it out-been there and done that, if it is basically cake, no biggie-just looking for clues, thanks

u r going totally the wrong way. it aint the relay, it aint the key switch. stop with what u are guessing at and do some real troubleshooting. obvious it to go to the starter and see if u have power at the main terminal and power at the small terminal when starting the car. if u have power at both not of the shit ur chasing after is the prob.

[Screamin4banger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allmotor u r going totally the wrong way. it aint the relay, it aint the key switch. stop with what u are guessing at and do some real troubleshooting. obvious it to go to the starter and see if u have power at the main terminal and power at the small terminal when starting the car. if u have power at both not of the shit ur chasing after is the prob.

I think his problem is too intermittent for him to diagnose.

Remember this one?

Mechanic "I can not find a problem."

Customer "It only happens some of the time."

Mechanic "Well bring it back when it happens all of the time."

[allmotor]

to me is sounds exactly like contact prob on the starter sol. which on dodge products a very common prob.

[mmtphoto]

It only happened once this afternoon, but happening once is enough for me to go over it again with a meter and, replacing the relay is easy enough anyway. I have checked connections and resistance in lines, and if it still happens after the relay, the starter switch will get checked.

I sometimes also think it's like what you say-wait until it does it all the time...it's much easier to find then. Only problem with that is it might strand my wife or daughter-

'Allmotor', I get a chuckle out of some of your 'contributions' here that have nothing to do with what a OP is asking (switch replacement)-instead you act like the intolerant grandfather who thinks everyone is a slacker, not up to your lofty standards...nail on the head, at least this time.

If I am getting power to the terminals at the starter and it turns over (almost) every time, but does not (once) you think it is the connection to the new starter/sol??? How's this-it seemed to happen before the new starter (and much more often) while hot, but not always-I now have a blanket around the starter along with the shield that came with it. In there once in a while, you slip up and contribute an idea that might be helpful-I'll recheck that starter connection again, just to be sure...

Inconsistent electrical stuff is to be expected in an old car, connections, corroded or broken wires, less than perfect repairs over the years. An old relay that doesn't always pull when energized is possible, like a cylinder that has been rotated thousands of times over twenty years or a switch that might be worn out.

[allmotor]

u sound like a hack throwing parts at ur car instead of actually trying to fix it and get at the root of the prob.

[crazymadbastard]

Clean and tighten all grounds. I would wire up some lights semi-permanently on the dash to the starter solenoid and the power to be ready to check since it probably won't happen when you have someone to help crank to check.

[mmtphoto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allmotor u sound like a hack throwing parts at ur car instead of actually trying to fix it and get at the root of the prob.

'u' sound like a troll and I could care less what it sounds like to you-is your permanent residence under a bridge, or your parent's basement? And is your keyboard missing working letters-your style of writing is like a child-

PS-got my relay, it starts every time-now mull, cranky old man-

crazy that is an great idea if it happens again, thanks-clever, too

[mmtphoto]

dozen plus trips today, new relay installed--100%, me +1, troll =0 (IQ)