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

 

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.

 

I just saw this thanks for the answer were did you find the cylinder and is this a nightmare to fix?

 

Do you have a tilt column by chance?

 

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.

 

If it's what I think it is, it's not the switch.

 

Yes it is a tilt Colum car and when I move the wheel around it starts fie and then it acts up again.

 

I believe your right because I changed the ignition switch and I still have this issue. I hate these tilt Colum cars. It seems maybe an issue with the two rods or something.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't know of adjustment required.It basically only goes in one way.

 

I appreciate the help. I guess ill just wait until the car doesn't start at all.