Ignition Switch Removal

67ctls · 07-12-2002

I need to remove the ignition switch on my 69 GT, as I dont have the key, and would like to get one made. Is it possible to remove the thing without the key? All of the manuals say that you need to turn the key to pop the switch out. Will I have to take the column out and take it to have a key made? Hopefully there is an easier way. Thanks, Adam Marshall

oldopelguy · 07-12-2002

You may not even have to remove the column at all to have a key made. If you car is origional, remove the door locks instead and have keys made from them, they will work in the ignition too. If not, or as a back-up, get the # code off the tumbler set and any good locksmith should be able to make you a key without even seeing your locks. I can't remember off hand how hard it is to get to the # code on a GT ignition, but looking for some #'s is easier then removing the column.

I was able to remove the lock without the key on my GT, but I honestly can't remember enough of how I did it to be able to offer advice. It can be done, though, if necessary somehow.

Good luck!
Stephen

tomking · 12-29-2002

I do believe there has been a thread on how to remove the switch but now that I need it I cant seem to find it. Would someone be so kind as to tell me how to get the ignition switch out of my 71 GT. Thanks a lot.

tomking · 12-30-2002

Uuhhh? I guess Gary put these together?? but it doesnt help me any. Does anyone know how to do this with the key?? Thanks.

Gary · 12-30-2002

I did a search and found the exact topic so they were combined.

Replacing the switch involves removing the steering wheel, removing the lock assembly, then taking the column sleeve off. The step by step explanation is a little involved. If my scanner was working I'd scan the steps from the manual for you.

Here is a pic of Tekenaar's wheel puller that was made by grinding down a hex bolt:

tomking · 12-30-2002

Thanks Gary. I have the wheel off as I have a puller that will work. But I cant get the ignition switch out and neither can I locate threads on this site or the classicopels site on yahoo that give directions on removing the ignition switch. I hope someone can give me the directions. How about just describing what the manual says about removing it for me? I have a clymers and a chiltons but neither of them give the directions. I also have a 68 kadette manual but same thing. Thanks for your help.

Gary · 12-30-2002

OK.

1 Remove the Wheel
2. Remove the Ignition lock cylinder.
A. Put key in "Run" position
B. Using a piece of stiff wire, push in the lock retaining pin and pull out the cylinder. The retaining pin hole is located at about 5:00.
C. Disconnect the White set plug.
D. Remove lock retaining screw (Next to pin hole)
E. Remove directional lever.
F. Remove three housing cover screws.
G. Remove cover.
H. Remove switch.

When installing Make sure switch is in the "Run" position by truning it with a phillips head screwdriver unti the spring resistance is felt.

There is more detail on removing the housing cover but it looks like it is for the '69 with the high beam switch in the directional stalk. Let me know if you need more.
Gary

Gary · 12-31-2002

Here's a pic of the Lock removal:

tomking · 12-31-2002

Gary, thanks a lot for your help. I got the cylinder out today and disassembled the internals and cleaned up contacts. I have the ignition switch working properly now. I appreciate your help with this.

Gary · 01-01-2003

If you add a relay in the circuit, the switch contacts won't see all the current needed to activate the solenoid.

opelgal33 · 11-02-2003

i have been looking through the forums and found exactly what I was looking for,,,,except the original thread (or question) has no answer.

i am trying to remove the ignition switch WITHOUT the Key. Can this be done? and how?

Thanks Jennifer

Jim Branham · 11-02-2003

I don't see how because the key has to be rotated in order for that pin to push in. Forcing it in will most likely damage it. Know anyone that picks locks? oldopelguy had a good suggestion for getting a key made.

opelgal33 · 11-02-2003

I am trying to take this one out and put mine in. This steering wheel column, wires, everything is in better condition then the one in my car. But I only have the key to mine, not this one.

nobody · 11-02-2003

Ok I have that whole assembly in my hands and the lock cylinder pin will push in with no key. I do remember pulling this one from a 71 and it was pretty stuck until I gave it a good tap. Once it is out you can do whatever you want. Then again if you only want it out, a slide hammer will shear that little pin and yours will go right in.

Jim Branham · 11-02-2003

well, no key and no way to get one made? Drill the pin out if it wont push in but be very carefull not to enlarge the pinhole or it will wiggle around when you put the other one in. I am understanding you correct, right? you dont need the one thats in there now just the whole cylinder housing for a different key assembly.

nobody, are you saying that even without the key to rotate the key assembly, your pin will push in anyway?

nobody · 11-02-2003

yes I am looking right at it. I have no key for this one and it goes in and out of the housing for it easily. Paperclip is all I need to remove it. No key.

Jim Branham · 11-02-2003

I wonder if it is broken, will a key still go all the way in

opelgal33 · 11-02-2003

Thanks Guys, I took a hammer and tool I have and beat that thing out of there.

Easy as pie. Course wouldn't be a good way it you need that switch. lol

Jennifer

nobody · 11-02-2003

but it was fun huh?

And yes Jim a key will still go in all the way.

opelgal33 · 11-03-2003

For those of you just coming into the thread, I have been trying to get the key assembley out of the housing without the key. I did by taking a sharp tool and hitting it with a hammer on the pin. IT WORKED...

Now I have put in the key assembly I had the key to. Put it all back together in the new steering column I aquired and installed it all back in the car.

Here is the new problem

1st.....when you turn the key once, shouldn't most components come on...like radio, guages etc......(without starting engine I mean)

2nd.....when I turn the key to start the engine it grinds, like trying to start an already running car.

Anyone know why this is doing this??

Jennifer

nobody · 11-04-2003

By any chance did you swap the column electrical when you did this? What you desribed sounds like a bad switch. Check your plugs around the fuse box and make sure your battery is charged up. Those can cause what your describing.

Jim Branham · 11-04-2003

didn't you say you took apart the round electrical switch and cleaned the contacts? Electrical should come on when you turn the switch on. At first I thought the grinding must be the starter going and it is just coincedence that you had just had it all apart, but does anyboby know what would happen if you got a couple wires reversed in the round e- switch? Sorry, I can't be of more help.

opeldean · 11-04-2003

when you dissasemble switch..2 bearings will fall out..good luck..
I could not repair mine ..as there is a broken ear that supports the return spring..returns the key from start back to run

why dont you hotwire the ignition and bypass the switch...
you can still use your key to lock the wheel..A pushbutton start is FUN

opeldean · 11-04-2003

no ..my gt is not like'yxy'..but i am driving it and having a blast

opelgal33 · 11-04-2003

I have not done anything to the electrical switch. The car started today, but the grinding occured several times when I attempted to start the car. Is it possible that when I put the electrical switch back on the end on the key assembly, I didn't turn it right. The manual says to turn it with a screwdriver til I feel the spring???

Jennifer

The car wouldn't start if the switch was bad. Right??

07-12-2002	#1 (permalink)
67ctls Opeler Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 5	Unanswered: Ignition Switch Removal I need to remove the ignition switch on my 69 GT, as I dont have the key, and would like to get one made. Is it possible to remove the thing without the key? All of the manuals say that you need to turn the key to pop the switch out. Will I have to take the column out and take it to have a key made? Hopefully there is an easier way. Thanks, Adam Marshall

07-12-2002	#2 (permalink)
oldopelguy Have Opel, Will Travel Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Saint Michael, MN Posts: 1,727 Logbook Entries: 3 Provided Answers: 2	hope You may not even have to remove the column at all to have a key made. If you car is origional, remove the door locks instead and have keys made from them, they will work in the ignition too. If not, or as a back-up, get the # code off the tumbler set and any good locksmith should be able to make you a key without even seeing your locks. I can't remember off hand how hard it is to get to the # code on a GT ignition, but looking for some #'s is easier then removing the column. I was able to remove the lock without the key on my GT, but I honestly can't remember enough of how I did it to be able to offer advice. It can be done, though, if necessary somehow. Good luck! Stephen

12-29-2002	#3 (permalink)
tomking tomking Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 1,287	Ignition Switch Removal I do believe there has been a thread on how to remove the switch but now that I need it I cant seem to find it. Would someone be so kind as to tell me how to get the ignition switch out of my 71 GT. Thanks a lot. __________________ TMK

12-30-2002	#4 (permalink)
tomking tomking Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 1,287	Uuhhh? I guess Gary put these together?? but it doesnt help me any. Does anyone know how to do this with the key?? Thanks. __________________ TMK

12-30-2002	#6 (permalink)
tomking tomking Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 1,287	Thanks Gary. I have the wheel off as I have a puller that will work. But I cant get the ignition switch out and neither can I locate threads on this site or the classicopels site on yahoo that give directions on removing the ignition switch. I hope someone can give me the directions. How about just describing what the manual says about removing it for me? I have a clymers and a chiltons but neither of them give the directions. I also have a 68 kadette manual but same thing. Thanks for your help. __________________ TMK

12-31-2002	#9 (permalink)
tomking tomking Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 1,287	Gary, thanks a lot for your help. I got the cylinder out today and disassembled the internals and cleaned up contacts. I have the ignition switch working properly now. I appreciate your help with this. __________________ TMK

11-02-2003	#11 (permalink)
opelgal33 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 104	Initial question not answered i have been looking through the forums and found exactly what I was looking for,,,,except the original thread (or question) has no answer. i am trying to remove the ignition switch WITHOUT the Key. Can this be done? and how? Thanks Jennifer

11-02-2003	#12 (permalink)
Jim Branham Opel fan Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: N.J. Posts: 380	I don't see how because the key has to be rotated in order for that pin to push in. Forcing it in will most likely damage it. Know anyone that picks locks? oldopelguy had a good suggestion for getting a key made. __________________ Jim B.

11-02-2003	#13 (permalink)
opelgal33 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 104	I am trying to take this one out and put mine in. This steering wheel column, wires, everything is in better condition then the one in my car. But I only have the key to mine, not this one.

11-02-2003	#14 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	Ok I have that whole assembly in my hands and the lock cylinder pin will push in with no key. I do remember pulling this one from a 71 and it was pretty stuck until I gave it a good tap. Once it is out you can do whatever you want. Then again if you only want it out, a slide hammer will shear that little pin and yours will go right in.

11-02-2003	#15 (permalink)
Jim Branham Opel fan Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: N.J. Posts: 380	well, no key and no way to get one made? Drill the pin out if it wont push in but be very carefull not to enlarge the pinhole or it will wiggle around when you put the other one in. I am understanding you correct, right? you dont need the one thats in there now just the whole cylinder housing for a different key assembly. nobody, are you saying that even without the key to rotate the key assembly, your pin will push in anyway? __________________ Jim B.

11-02-2003	#16 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	yes I am looking right at it. I have no key for this one and it goes in and out of the housing for it easily. Paperclip is all I need to remove it. No key.

11-02-2003	#17 (permalink)
Jim Branham Opel fan Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: N.J. Posts: 380	I wonder if it is broken, will a key still go all the way in __________________ Jim B.

11-02-2003	#18 (permalink)
opelgal33 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 104	Thanks Guys, I took a hammer and tool I have and beat that thing out of there. Easy as pie. Course wouldn't be a good way it you need that switch. lol Jennifer

11-02-2003	#19 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	but it was fun huh? And yes Jim a key will still go in all the way.

11-03-2003	#20 (permalink)
opelgal33 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 104	For those of you just coming into the thread, I have been trying to get the key assembley out of the housing without the key. I did by taking a sharp tool and hitting it with a hammer on the pin. IT WORKED... Now I have put in the key assembly I had the key to. Put it all back together in the new steering column I aquired and installed it all back in the car. Here is the new problem 1st.....when you turn the key once, shouldn't most components come on...like radio, guages etc......(without starting engine I mean) 2nd.....when I turn the key to start the engine it grinds, like trying to start an already running car. Anyone know why this is doing this?? Jennifer

11-04-2003	#21 (permalink)
nobody No Access Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: in transit Posts: 3,873 Provided Answers: 1	By any chance did you swap the column electrical when you did this? What you desribed sounds like a bad switch. Check your plugs around the fuse box and make sure your battery is charged up. Those can cause what your describing.

11-04-2003	#22 (permalink)
Jim Branham Opel fan Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: N.J. Posts: 380	didn't you say you took apart the round electrical switch and cleaned the contacts? Electrical should come on when you turn the switch on. At first I thought the grinding must be the starter going and it is just coincedence that you had just had it all apart, but does anyboby know what would happen if you got a couple wires reversed in the round e- switch? Sorry, I can't be of more help. __________________ Jim B.

11-04-2003	#25 (permalink)
opelgal33 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NC Posts: 104	I have not done anything to the electrical switch. The car started today, but the grinding occured several times when I attempted to start the car. Is it possible that when I put the electrical switch back on the end on the key assembly, I didn't turn it right. The manual says to turn it with a screwdriver til I feel the spring??? Jennifer The car wouldn't start if the switch was bad. Right??

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