Possibly ignition switch?
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Car: 1985 chevy camaro,z28
Engine: crate 350,headers,3in exhaust
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 308------3.73 auburn unit
Possibly ignition switch?
Hello everyone.
As the past few months have worn on ive been haveing to turn the key to start the car a few times before the starter even engages.
For example ill pump the gas for the carb in my 85 z and turn the key all the way to start yet nothing will happen.
Once i back the key off and try again it starts.
Any ideas from what ive read on our forum it may be an ignition switch so i purchased one.
Id like some feed back to see if anyone has had this issue i didnt read this exact problem but similar so i thought id clarify thank you
As the past few months have worn on ive been haveing to turn the key to start the car a few times before the starter even engages.
For example ill pump the gas for the carb in my 85 z and turn the key all the way to start yet nothing will happen.
Once i back the key off and try again it starts.
Any ideas from what ive read on our forum it may be an ignition switch so i purchased one.
Id like some feed back to see if anyone has had this issue i didnt read this exact problem but similar so i thought id clarify thank you
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Car: 91 Firebird/88 Firebird/91 Formula
Engine: V6 3.1/V8 5.0/V8 5.0
Transmission: 4L60/700R4/4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.73/2.73
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
Had a similar issue on my Formula. Sometimes would catch, other times wouldn't until the key cylinder froze altogether and wouldn't move at all. Replaced the ignition key cylinder and haven't had a problem since. When I removed the old cylinder you could see visible damage from wear and tear. Good luck.
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TWON_3rdGEN (03-14-2020)
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Car: 1985 chevy camaro,z28
Engine: crate 350,headers,3in exhaust
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 308------3.73 auburn unit
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
Had a similar issue on my Formula. Sometimes would catch, other times wouldn't until the key cylinder froze altogether and wouldn't move at all. Replaced the ignition key cylinder and haven't had a problem since. When I removed the old cylinder you could see visible damage from wear and tear. Good luck.
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Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
It can be a bit of a pain getting everything off the column to get to the cylinder, but certainly doable at home. If you do end up changing it out, I highly recommend one of these tools for depressing the locking ring:
May not be a bad ignition cylinder though, so best try and determine what is causing the issue before tearing apart the column.
May not be a bad ignition cylinder though, so best try and determine what is causing the issue before tearing apart the column.
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TWON_3rdGEN (03-14-2020)
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Re: Possibly ignition switch?
This is the part that was giving me grief.Thats was over 10 yrs ago.Had to visit the JY to score one.
This illustration even mentions it.Thats exactly where mine cracked.Theres a rod in that slot that moves back/forth with the key turning.Its actuates the switch at the bottom of the column.
What happened with mine was the rod was slipping thru the crack, instead of moving bk/forth.Its a pretty involved job, but I got it done w/out a manual back then.So its not impossible.
This illustration even mentions it.Thats exactly where mine cracked.Theres a rod in that slot that moves back/forth with the key turning.Its actuates the switch at the bottom of the column.
What happened with mine was the rod was slipping thru the crack, instead of moving bk/forth.Its a pretty involved job, but I got it done w/out a manual back then.So its not impossible.
Last edited by 84 1LE; 04-11-2016 at 10:14 PM.
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TWON_3rdGEN (03-14-2020)
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Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
If it is actually that piece, or the black gear shown in the image, you can get a Dorman replacement at Orielly's and likely other places. Something you might want to try is pulling the wheel down and to the left when turning the key and see if it changes anything. I don't remember if worn tilt affects the ignition switch; it definitely affects the high beam switch.
#11
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
The gear is plastic I believe & attaches to the flat stub on the end of the ign cylinder.That rack is made of potmetal.I was able to "bandaid" fix mine by zapping it with my welder, it worked, but first chance I got I replaced it.
I could get mine to work sometimes by tilting down the wheel.This was due to the crack located slightly above center.The rack pivots with the upper portion of the tilt column.So adjusting the wheel down put the crack higher in relation to the actuating rod.This kept the rod from slipping thru the crack & the engine would fire up.
I could get mine to work sometimes by tilting down the wheel.This was due to the crack located slightly above center.The rack pivots with the upper portion of the tilt column.So adjusting the wheel down put the crack higher in relation to the actuating rod.This kept the rod from slipping thru the crack & the engine would fire up.
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Car: 1985 chevy camaro,z28
Engine: crate 350,headers,3in exhaust
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 308------3.73 auburn unit
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
That would make sense!
now as for the ignition switch i changed those are already pre adjusted right?
my dad said that it might need adjusting but i thought it already is/I really appreciate the help you guys are awesome!!!!!!!!!!
now as for the ignition switch i changed those are already pre adjusted right?
my dad said that it might need adjusting but i thought it already is/I really appreciate the help you guys are awesome!!!!!!!!!!
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Car: 1985 chevy camaro,z28
Engine: crate 350,headers,3in exhaust
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 308------3.73 auburn unit
Re: Possibly ignition switch?
I appreciate the help. I guess ill just wait until the car doesn't start at all.
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