removing the ignition switch

[fennerford]

My ignition switch in my 79 camaro just died and i was wondering if anyone knew how to remove it? there is no steering column cover to take off that i see. Thanks for any help

[Tim Baillie]

You have to disassemble the column to get to the screw to get the ignition switch out.

What is it doing ? It's rarely the key cylinder.....90% of the time its the little pot metal piece that the key turns and pushes the actual switch at the base of the column.....

There is basically 4 components to your ignition switch, the key cylinder, the pot metal piece, the rod going down the column and the actual switch near the base that all the wiring goes into.

[fennerford]

power is getting to the ignition but when you turn the key it doesn't do anything

[Tim Baillie]

Is the key a little "looser" now when turning but it doesn't click or do anything ?

On top of the column, there are two rods, one more on top then the other (the other is the high beam switch) with some pliers, try to slide that rod and see if it starts the car, if it does then it's the ignition cam.

I will find a link I have on replacing that part. GM sells a column repair kit and it comes with that and a few other things.

To get to that you will need to borrow or buy some steering wheel and column tools to do it.

[fennerford]

the key isnt looser and the only to rods on the steering column are the blinkers and tilt. the key still clicks and goes to all the positions but nothing happens. we charged the battery and checked all the fuse and the electricity is goin up to the ignition just not coming out.

[Tim Baillie]

The two rods I'm talking about are the ones running down towards the firewall on the top of the column, not the levers.