alright!

I am finaly tackling my ignition switch.

I have removed the switch from the colum, and removed the wire harness.
However, there is a thing....
a yellow/brown thing that is connected to the back of the switch.
there is a large cable coming of the back of it, and it doesent seem to have any bolt or screw that holds it on.
I thought that perhaps it clamps into the switch body, cuz there are some tangs on there, but I cant seem to get them off gently.
I could possibly pry the thing off, but I dont want to damage anything.
I am frustrated!!! if my car would start, I would drive it off a cliff!
also, the instructions that came with the switch says turn the key to accesory, if im not mistaken, that is the key back position, the radio on position?
The manual I have, although its for a mid-size truck, says it must absoulutley be in the "lock" position.
which is correct?

 

alright now c'mon!!!

I know that one of the 9000 members on this board knows the answer!!!
My saturday night is shot...
I have to be to work tommorow night!!!


Help!!

 

What car? Year? Any information ou can give us besides "third gen"?



We're (well...not me, anyway) not psychic...you need to provide at least general information...

 

ahhh, forgot the basics, I was so hell bent and frustrated I forgot!!


89 Firebird, origially a 305 TBI, tilt wheel, no air bags, auto tranny

 

I can't guarantee this, but I think it's the ignition key warning switch...The thingy that buzzes if your door is open and the key in the ignition...

And btw...my Haynes says to have the key in the run position...

 

man, I didnt even think of that!

whatever it is, I still have to figure out how to remove it.

 

Here's the relevant steps from my book....

27. Use a piece of stiff wire (a paper clip will work fine) to remove the switch. Make a hook at the end of the wire and attach the hooked end into the loop at the top of the switch. Pull up on the wire and remove the clip and switch together from the steering column. Do not allow the clip to fall into the column.

28. If the lock cylinder is still in the column, the buzzer switch actuating button (on the lock cylinder) must be depressed before the new warning switch can be installed.

29. Install the switch with the contacts toward the upper end of the steering column, and with the formed end of the spring clip at the lower end of the switch. Reinstall the remaining components.





I hope this is what you were looking for...

 

well,I have no idea what that thing was, I belive it was the buzzer like you said.
I got it off, I guess it pays to use a flashlight, as I noticed to small screws holding it in.

the instructions that came with the switch were whack.

when I took it out, I left it in accesory, but when I put the new switch in the position as per directions included, the bolt holes didnt line up, so I put the switch in the position of the old switch, which worked great.

but...
my car still doesent start, I am still using a wire from the starter and touching it to the battery, damnit.

 

Sounds to me like you didn't replace the switch at all, you replaced the lock cylinder. The switch is at the other end of the column, just a couple of inches from where it goes through the firewall, on top of the column. There's a rod that runs the length of the column that connects the lock cylinder with the switch. I think you just wasted your time.

Have you checked your neutral (or clutch) saftey switch? If you have a 5-speed, it's a switch mounted on the clutch pedal bracket with 2 large wires going to it, one yellow, and one purple; if you have an auto, it's on the column right at the firewall, and has some other wires too, but the yellow and purple will be there. Try connecting those 2 wires together by sticking a piece of wire in the connector, see if it starts with the key then.