| Replacing Ignition Switch [message #182815] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 19:20  |
Jerry Hartley
Messages: 17
Registered: May 2004
Karma: 0
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I would appreciate any words of experience and/or wisdom regarding replacing the ignition switch in my 76 Royale. It has a tilt column and I believe it is totally stock.
I have had problems for some time getting the starter to engage - repeated clicks and eventually starting. Now mostly dead - sometimes lights come on until the key is turned to start then everything goes dead. Sometimes seems to reset after a few minutes. Short in the switch? Batteries test good.
I have the GMC Maintenance Manual X-7525B and will use this as a guide.
I am a decent mechanic but not a good electrician so any advice or suggestions re tests or alternatives would certainly be appreciated.
Thank you.
Jerry Hartley
Sequim, WA
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| Re: Replacing Ignition Switch [message #182822 is a reply to message #182815] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 19:53  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Your problem could be mechanical in the key assembly or it could be the switch itself.
The actual electrical switch is mounted on the bottom of the steering column and is pulled by a rod that runs through the column to the key assembly at the top.
The key assembly can wear out. I replaced mine about 9 years ago. I do not remember it being a difficult job but do not remember much more about it. I got the replacement key assembly at AutoZone for less than $25.00 at the time.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Replacing Ignition Switch [message #182827 is a reply to message #182815] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 20:16 |
crash24
Messages: 79
Registered: February 2012
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Karma: 0
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The switch assemble is half way down the column on top, under the dash. The neutral safety switch is on the very bottom of the column, also on top. The key turns a shaft which is attached to a pinion gear, which turns a rack gear, pushing a rod down to the ignition switch. There is information on the GMC sites, but it is not very good. The best info I have found is on a Fiero sight.
http://www.diyfiero.com/dropspot/Jazzman_Steering_Rack_Rebuild.pdf
The most likely piece to break is the pot metal piece with the rack gear on it. So start by trying to adjust the position of the ignition switch on the column and the neutral safety switch.
Do not try tilting the column while trying to engage the starter, this will most likely break the rack gear.
addition....
I think there is a mistake in teh info on the GM site? It shows lifting the plastic tab of "key in place" switch to get the tumbler out. I had to push the metal slug sticking up, to get it to release. The plastic tab, gets out of the way on its own as you pull the tumbler out.
[Updated on: Sat, 01 September 2012 22:29] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Replacing Ignition Switch [message #182828 is a reply to message #182827] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 20:31 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Jazzman did a very nice job. Probably a candidate for bdub's site. A definite keeper.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Replacing Ignition Switch [message #182830 is a reply to message #182815] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 20:38 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Jerry Hartley wrote on Sat, 01 September 2012 17:20 |
I would appreciate any words of experience and/or wisdom regarding replacing the ignition switch...
... sometimes lights come on until the key is turned to start then everything goes dead. Sometimes seems to reset after a few minutes. Short in the switch? Batteries test good. ...
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Something about this leads me to believe the ignition switch is NOT at fault. If any lights go out when the key is turned to start SOMETHING is making contact in the switch.
I would be checking grounds.
I just replaced the ignition switch in my '78. (In fact I still need to put the lower panel back on and remove the wiring I used to start the coach for the trip home. It broke in Orifino Idaho.) With my bad switch, there wasn't any change to anything when the ignition was moved from run to start.
While I do not think it would help you with THIS problem, if anyone is having problems getting the ignition switch to the start position there is a "trick" to try. Just in case the problem is mechanical, is to tilt the column all the way up then try and start it. It might help, but didn't help me... my switch was just bad.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Ignition Switch [message #182878 is a reply to message #182877] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 08:34 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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and I forgot this
http://minniebiz.com/gmcmotorhome/2011/05/22/how-to-jumper-the-park-neutral-safety-switch/
gene
On Sun, Sep 2, 2012 at 6:33 AM, gene Fisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
> you might try these
> cranking grounds and power
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5493-gmc-cranking-improve-for-free.html
>
> and NSS
> if you bypass the NSS, there is nothing remaining but the power and
> grounds from above
>
> NSS
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/neutral-start-safety-switch/p32017-neutral-start-safety-s.html
>
> gene
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 1, 2012 at 5:20 PM, Jerry Hartley <jhartley@wavecable.com>wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I would appreciate any words of experience and/or wisdom regarding
>> replacing the ignition switch in my 76 Royale. It has a tilt column and I
>> believe it is totally stock.
>>
>> I have had problems for some time getting the starter to engage -
>> repeated clicks and eventually starting. Now mostly dead - sometimes lights
>> come on until the key is turned to start then everything goes dead.
>> Sometimes seems to reset after a few minutes. Short in the switch?
>> Batteries test good.
>>
>> I have the GMC Maintenance Manual X-7525B and will use this as a guide.
>>
>> I am a decent mechanic but not a good electrician so any advice or
>> suggestions re tests or alternatives would certainly be appreciated.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Jerry Hartley
>> Sequim, WA
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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