Hey guys, getting my new ignition switch tomrrow and planning on installing it. I read the hanes manuel and all they have on ignition switch is the "key lock cylinder"..is this the same thing?

Thx!

The ignition switch is an electrical switch.
The key lock cylinder rotates when a key is inserted.
I have never changed mine, but.
Is it screwed to the steering column about a foot down? a flat plastic box with a slide switch and a pigtail stuck into it? a steel rod bent 90 on the end going through a hole in the slide switch nub?

During those years GM was pretty consistant with mounting the ignition switch with two screws to the steering column under the dash. It made changing the switch simple.

Older vehicles did have the key and switch as a single unit and the descriptions were used interchangably. This is decidedly not then, but bad proofreading allows bad crossreferences to pop up.
The switch is probably covered in the manual somewhere, most likely as part of something else instead of a stand alone piece.

Yep........he's exactly right. I hate the haynes manual. So much wrong info. You need to got a Pontiac manual from Helm for your specific vehicle at helm.com.

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

Thx guys! I am going to invest in a shop manuel.

Is there anyone out there who has done this themselves?

I have, on a few different GM models.

It is fairly easy to swap out the ignition switch. I drop the steering columm (2 nuts/2bolts in the Fiero)(watch the wiring) to make it easier.
Phaeton is right, the switch is about 18"or so down the columm. Watch the placement of nuts. you will also have to deal with the mounting plate for the headlight hi/lo switch.
I do not remember which size wrenches you will need, but you will need 2-3 of them. Little tiny ones, it is a little tight to get into, not to bad, even for my thick fingers .

Good Luck!

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1984 SE - 30800 out of 136840. Being modified!
Federation Upgrades are now in Progress.

Thx for the Reply KlingonFiero, just a couple more questions...so do I have to pull steering wheel and is the switch inside the column or on the outside on top or bottom? If I'm understanding u correctly its on the column but not inside?

Clarification would be great. Thank-you!

quote Originally posted by Elenor84: Thx for the Reply KlingonFiero, just a couple more questions...so do I have to pull steering wheel and is the switch inside the column or on the outside on top or bottom? If I'm understanding u correctly its on the column but not inside? Clarification would be great. Thank-you!

Not a Problem.
The switch is on the outside of the colomm, not quite on top but towards the left side (driver's kick panel). It share the same mounting points as the Hi/Lo switch (small and white) so be careful and remember the order in which you remove the nuts. You don't have to remove the Hi/Lo switch, just one of the nuts holding it in place, you can then remove the two nuts holding the Ignition switch in place. And then remove the switch.
When you re-install the switch, you may have to align it. there is a slot in the mpounting plate for this. It should be obvious.
Also, be careful removing the wires for the switch. They are pretty thick and a little tough to manuever around. There are two (2) connectors that plug in to the switch and can only go in one way. They are specific in the order they are removed/installed. Don't worry, they can only go on one way.

After you remove the lower cover, there are a couple of wire conectors that you MAY have to disconnect ( I haven't had to so far).

What model do you have? Auto or Manual?
If it is a Auto, there will be a cable that you will need to deal with. Sorry, I can't help there, I haven't had to deal with it myself yet .

Klingon...I have an 84 4cyl 4 speed. I took off the panel and looked and I saw the small white one and then I also saw the corner of one that is ontop of the column. It looked like the ignition switch. I didn't drop the column because I have to go to work in 10 minutes or so so I'll have to do it tonight. I'll get back to u!

quote Originally posted by Elenor84: Klingon...I have an 84 4cyl 4 speed. I took off the panel and looked and I saw the small white one and then I also saw the corner of one that is ontop of the column. It looked like the ignition switch. I didn't drop the column because I have to go to work in 10 minutes or so so I'll have to do it tonight. I'll get back to u!

With the 4-speed, it should be real easy.
I think it is 15mm (maybe 13mm) Deep socket to drop the sterring column. then the 2-3 little open end wrenches and about 15 minutes to swap it out.
Good luck!

Cheers, and thank you very much. I'm going to go at it tomorrow. I'm hoping it won't take longer then an hour or so but if it does thats fine. I sure hope this solves my starting problem or else I shall be very disapointed.

Don't forget to let us know how it goes

Hey.......hook it up first and use a screwdriver to move the switch to see if it starts before you tear it down for nothing.

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

GT Dude...thx for the advice..will do...if I put the switch in...alright guys...I"m sitting here with the switch in my hand ready to go, all tools set up and everything but...I have to tell u what just happended and let me know what u think. She didn't start(as ussual)but I think I forgot to mention this in the other post. I can boost her. I hooked up jumper cables to my parents sunfire and just boosted her. she fired first time no problem...now it got me thinking...could the switch even be the problem????

Thx...

If It fired right up, with just a boost, it probably isn't the switch.
It could be that the switch is going bad, but....

First thing I would check is the battery, Take it down to Checker/AutoZone/Advanced Auto/Anyplace that will test it. It could have a bad cell??
I haven't read your other Post? What exactly are your symptoms?

I'd agree on ruling out the switch as the culprit. Any time I've seen one go it was an all or nothing event. Jumping it would do a thing.

Check all of your battery cables and engine grounds in addition to having your battery tested. Corroded wires or a loose connection can keep the interior lights on and stuff but will give out when its subjected to the kind of draw a starer needs to turn the engine over.

I didn't put the switch in because I had a hunch u guys were going to say that...ok refer to this post https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/023535.html

As u will see I just bought a new battery three days ago. And this new battery replaced another new battery. Battery wires are all brand new. Including the wire ends that connect to the battery. New starter yada yada yada. Could it be my alternator? is it that my battery is being drained? I tested my batery today and it flung up a bit but then went down to zero...now I know this battery is good. now lets say the battery is dead. should I replace my alternator? its about the only thing left to do...

I noticed in your other post you are going on vacation.
Hopefully you will see this first.
I would charge the battery, then disconnect it entirely(sp?).
When you come back it should still be suffeciantly(sp?) charged enough to start your car.
If it is dead, well then....
It it still has a charge, Take the car to a place that can test it in the car. This will be a whole lot better than removing the alt. for testing.

Let us know!

Hey guys...just got back from vacation...ok I actually didn't get your post klingon...I went out a minute ago and tryed to turn her over and nothing...I'm going to go "hard-core" and work on her tomorrow until this problem is fixed...so any advice would be grand. Thx!

THE BIG UPDATE
Hey guys...alright..today I worked on my car all day. I took in the alternator and got her checked out..its fine. I redid all the grounds in the engine bay. I redid all the starter connections at the starter. I replaced my ignition switch. She has started every time now but it would do that before to but only about 20 times. The one thing that I am pleased about and makes me think that my problem is fixed is that when I put the trickle charger to it now it actually says how much its charging it and stays there...before it would go to five then go to zero right away. So we'll see...hopefully this is it! If not then I guess I'll keep going...klingon..thx alot for all yoru help and everyone else I really really appreciate it.