YACT: Replacing ignition switch (or the tumbler?)

[conjur]

My car now refuses to start.

Put the key in the ignition and turn and the dash lights up, radio works, windows can go up/down but trying to start results in nothing. It happened the 1st time about a week ago and I was then able to push in on the ignition a bit while turning and it started. Now, that doesn't work.

Is this something the dealer (or some shop) has to fix or how hard is it to replace? Dealer quoted me $260 and I just don't have it right now.

BTW, car is a '96 Sebring JX convertible.

 

[conjur]

Anyone?

 

[MacBaine]

Just remix it

 

[conjur]

Anyone with a *real* answer?

 

[desertdweller]

Those ignitions are fairly easy to do, I've done a number of them, but the part will
likely be dealer only. I believe you're looking at about $95 for the electrical part
of the switch. The tumbler assembly will come right out of the electrical assembly
when you get it off the car and will go right into the new one. The screws holding
the switch in place are small tamper-proof torx type, so make sure you have those
handy. Also, the screws holding the steering column covers could be torx as well.

You can check with NAPA for the part, they carry some electrical stuff like that.
DD

 

[Vette73]

Have you back traced it and KNOW that is the problem?? Don't guess and replace parts you are not sure of.

There is the key lock switch(part key goes into(, Ignation switch, then starter. Check those and replace as needed, but don't through money out the window guessing.

 

[conjur]

That's why I'm here...fishing for other insight.

More info on it, though.

With the door open and the key in the ignition, the door-open chime does not operate. If I press the key in more, though, it does sound off. The key will not turn back to the accesory position and there just feels like something's wrong in the tumbler (like when you put a key in a lock that needs to be lubricated or something). That's why I think it's the tumbler or the ignition switch, itself.

Battery is new...starter's fine (it fires right up when the key does turn properly).


Thanks, desertdweller. The dealer quoted me $65 for the ignition switch...I assume that comes w/the tumbler already? If I could just get the tumbler...it might be a cheaper way to start diagnosing

 

[desertdweller]

Originally posted by: conjur
That's why I'm here...fishing for other insight.

More info on it, though.

With the door open and the key in the ignition, the door-open chime does not operate. If I press the key in more, though, it does sound off. The key will not turn back to the accesory position and there just feels like something's wrong in the tumbler (like when you put a key in a lock that needs to be lubricated or something). That's why I think it's the tumbler or the ignition switch, itself.

Battery is new...starter's fine (it fires right up when the key does turn properly).


Thanks, desertdweller. The dealer quoted me $65 for the ignition switch...I assume that comes w/the tumbler already? If I could just get the tumbler...it might be a cheaper way to start diagnosing

Usually the tumbler comes seperately and the Tech will re-key it for your original ignition key. Their quoted
price might have included replacing the tumbler and re-keying it which would've been probably between
1.5 and 2.0 hours labor. If I remember right it was 1 hour labor without re-keying it.

Verify that is your problem, but, those switches do have a high failure rate.

DD

 

[conjur]

Ok...yeah...if I can just get the tumbler I can do the work myself. Not too nervous about doing that

And rekeying is no biggie. Heck, used two keys for a LONG time back when I drove my dad's GM wagon.

 

[desertdweller]

Basically, to get the whole thing out, you remove the screws and put the key
in a certain position. Its been a while, but I think its the first position forward.
Then to get the tumbler out, you push a button on the switch assembly and
turn the key until it comes out.

To put it back in, you put the tumbler in the new assembly, and then turn the
key. It should drop into place, then put the whole assebly into the column.
You may have to wiggle it around and turn the key to get it to line back up
correctly. then put the screws in and plug it all back in.


DD

 

[conjur]

Update:

The dealer says the part (the tumbler) is $22 (+ change) BUT, the service dept. has to do something to it to work with my key. They don't come with their own key from Chrysler anymore. That's another $70! WTH??

I'm going to work on disassembling it and put it back together and see if that fixes it.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: conjur
Update:

The dealer says the part (the tumbler) is $22 (+ change) BUT, the service dept. has to do something to it to work with my key. They don't come with their own key from Chrysler anymore. That's another $70! WTH??

I'm going to work on disassembling it and put it back together and see if that fixes it.

Why not get one from Autozone or advancve? They come with keys.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: conjur
Update:

The dealer says the part (the tumbler) is $22 (+ change) BUT, the service dept. has to do something to it to work with my key. They don't come with their own key from Chrysler anymore. That's another $70! WTH??

I'm going to work on disassembling it and put it back together and see if that fixes it.

Why not get one from Autozone or advancve? They come with keys.

<shrug>

figured it was something specific to the car that the dealer would have.

<picking up phone now....>

 

[conjur]

Crap...AutoZone system says, "Ignition cylinder unavailable". It's a dealer-only part.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: conjur
Crap...AutoZone system says, "Ignition cylinder unavailable". It's a dealer-only part.

Yea I just checked. No at autozone but Advance has it for $29.99 with key

 

[conjur]

Ah HA!

Pep Boys has it for $17.99 with key!



No Advance here, that I'm aware of.

 

[conjur]

Well...bought the part but don't have the slightest clue on how to remove the existing cylinder. Didn't see anything obvious for me to unscrew or unclip to remove it.

I'll be calling a service dept. tomorrow and hopefully getting some tips.

 

[conjur]

Well...the car is running now but I still couldn't get the old ignition cylinder out. I guess w/all the banging and messing around it knocked something in place is starting ok now. Still plan on getting it replaced, though. If I can just figure out how to get the @#$^&#@$ thing out